December is considered to be a colder month in Florida. December is a harsh cold month for many states in the United States but in Florida, you still have the chance to plant plenty of plants due to its unique climate. This article is a comprehensive guide on what to plant in December in Florida.
I publish planting calendars for Florida gardeners each month. As I promised I am here with this December planting guide. Subscribe to this site for free to get gardening tips.
If you want full year planting calendar, read: Florida Planting Calendar
December Planting Guide for Florida
If you compare three major regions of Florida (North, Central, and South Florida), North Florida is colder in December. I am dividing this planting calendar into three parts. You can check the section depending on where you live.
So our main categories are based on regions:
- North Florida
- Central Florida
- South Florida
In each category, there will be a few subcategories like the following:
- Leafy Greens
- Vegetables and roots
- Flowering Plants
- Berries
- Herbs
My intention is not to make this article long, instead I want to make it easier for the readers to find what they are looking for. Scroll the tables side-wise on mobile devices to see the full info.
Let's start!
I have added the berries but not included the fruit trees as I have separate article on that: Best fruit trees to grow in Florida ( I have added the pictures of my own garden)
Note: The list of vegetables we can grow in South and Central Florida is extensive. To keep it concise and avoid confusing readers, I’ve excluded some vegetables.
What to plant in December in North Florida
There are a lot of plants you can't plant in December here due to its cool climate. But it also allows you to plant several plants you can plant only here.
I have added a frost care column for each plant. (This is an improvement in my planting guides that will help North Florida gardeners)
Leafy greens - North Florida
| Leafy Green | Variety Suggestion | Harvesting Time (Days) | Frost Care | Planting Method | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Bloomsdale Long Standing | 40-50 | Use row covers if temperatures drop below 20°F. | Direct Sow | 3-6 inches apart |
| Lettuce | Buttercrunch, Romaine | 30-60 | Cover with frost blankets in freezing conditions. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Collards | Georgia Southern | 55-75 | Improves flavor with light frost; protect against hard freeze. | Transplant or Direct Sow | 18-24 inches apart |
| Kale | Lacinato, Red Russian | 50-65 | Very frost-hardy; no additional care needed. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 12-18 inches apart |
| Mustard Greens | Florida Broadleaf | 30-50 | Protect from hard frost using row covers. | Direct Sow | 6-12 inches apart |
| Swiss Chard | Bright Lights | 50-60 | Can tolerate light frost; mulch around plants for insulation. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 12-18 inches apart |
| Arugula | Rocket Salad | 20-40 | Can handle light frost; provide protection during hard freezes. | Direct Sow | 4-6 inches apart |
| Asian Greens | Tatsoi, Mizuna | 21-40 | Frost-tolerant; thrives in cool temperatures. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
Do you know that for leafy greens harvesting time can be decided by you? Yes, if you wish you can harvest earlier. The taste may vary depending on when you are harvesting. I have mentioned the regular harvesting time people follow.
Vegetable and Roots - North Florida
| Vegetable/Root | Variety Suggestion | Harvesting Time (Days) | Frost Care | Planting Method | Spacing | Sunlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Danvers, Nantes | 60-80 | Use mulch for extended cold periods. | Direct Sow | 1-2 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Radish | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast | 20-30 | No frost care needed; cold-tolerant. | Direct Sow | 1-2 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Turnip | Purple Top White Globe | 30-60 | Cold-hardy; minimal frost care needed. | Direct Sow | 2-4 inches apart | Full Sun to Partial Sun |
| Beet | Detroit Dark Red | 50-70 | Protect seedlings from freezing temperatures. | Direct Sow | 2-4 inches apart | Full Sun to Partial Sun |
| Onion | Granex, Texas Sweet | 100-120 | No frost care needed; thrives in cold weather. | Transplant or Direct Sow | 3-4 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Garlic | Softneck Varieties | 180-210 | Mulch for insulation during frosty nights. | Direct Sow (Cloves) | 4-6 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Broccoli | Calabrese, Green Magic | 70-100 | Use row covers during hard frost. | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Cauliflower | Snowball, Early White | 75-85 | Cold-hardy; protect heads from frost damage. | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jade Cross | 90-120 | Frost-tolerant; improves flavor after frost. | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Potato | Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold | 70-100 | Cover with mulch for protection from frost. | Direct Sow (Seed Potatoes) | 10-12 inches apart | Full Sun |
Flowering Plants - North Florida
| Flowering Plant | Planting Method | Frost Care | Flower Colors | Fragrances | Plant Max Height | Blooming Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pansy | Transplant or Direct Sow | Cold hardy, no special frost care needed | Variety of colors: purple, yellow, red, white, blue | Light fragrance | 6-12 inches | Fall to Spring |
| Snapdragon | Transplant or Direct Sow | Cold-tolerant, protect from extreme frost | Variety of colors: red, pink, yellow, white, purple | Fragrant flowers | 12-36 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Calendula | Direct Sow | Cold tolerant, minimal frost care | Yellow, orange | Light fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Sweet Alyssum | Direct Sow | Cold hardy, needs protection in extreme frost | White, purple, pink | Sweet fragrance | 6-12 inches | Fall to Spring |
| Primrose | Transplant | Cold hardy, protect from heavy frost | Pink, yellow, purple, white | Light fragrance | 6-8 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Viola | Direct Sow or Transplant | Cold hardy, requires no frost care | Variety of colors: blue, yellow, white, purple | Light fragrance | 6-8 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Hellebore | Transplant | Cold tolerant, protect from extreme frost | Pink, purple, white | Subtle fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Early Spring |
| Geranium | Transplant | Cold-sensitive, bring indoors during frost | Red, pink, white, purple | Fragrant flowers | 12-24 inches | Spring to Fall |
| Stock | Direct Sow or Transplant | Cold-hardy, light frost protection may be needed | Pink, purple, white, yellow | Sweet fragrance | 12-24 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Cineraria | Transplant | Cold-sensitive, protect from frost | Blue, purple, pink, white | Light fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Spring |
Berries - North Florida
| Berry Plant | Planting Method | Taste | Harvesting Time | Max Plant Height | Frost Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry | Transplant | Sweet to tart | Late Spring to Early Summer | 3-6 feet | Protect from frost with mulch or frost covers |
| Strawberry | Transplant or Bare-root | Sweet | Spring to Early Summer | 6-12 inches | Use frost cloths or row covers during freezes |
| Blackberry | Transplant | Sweet, with tartness | Late Spring to Summer | 4-6 feet | Cover with frost cloth or mulch |
| Raspberry | Transplant | Sweet, tangy | Summer to Early Fall | 3-5 feet | Use frost cloths or mulch to protect roots |
| Goji Berry | Transplant | Slightly sweet, tangy | Late Summer to Fall | 6-10 feet | Protect with frost covers or bring pots indoors |
| Wineberry | Transplant | Sweet and tart | Summer | 3-4 feet | Cover with frost cloth during freezes |
| Mulberry | Transplant | Sweet, similar to blackberries | Spring to Summer | 10-15 feet | Protect with mulch around the base |
| Boysenberry | Transplant | Sweet, with a hint of tartness | Summer | 4-8 feet | Use frost cloths or mulch during winter |
| Aronia Berry | Transplant | Slightly tart, astringent | Late Summer to Fall | 3-6 feet | Mulch and use frost covers when needed |
Note: Mulberry and blackberry are not the same. Check the differences between Mulberry and Blackberry.
Herbs - North Florida
| Herb | Variety Suggestion | Planting Method | Flavor | Perennial or Annual | Max Plant Height | Frost Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Genovese, Sweet Basil | Direct Sow or Transplant | Sweet, peppery | Annual | 12-24 inches | Protect from frost, cover with row cover or bring indoors |
| Mint | Peppermint, Spearmint | Transplant or Root Cutting | Cool, minty | Perennial | 12-24 inches | Frost-tolerant but cover during severe freezes |
| Oregano | Greek, Italian | Direct Sow or Transplant | Spicy, earthy | Perennial | 12-18 inches | Cover or bring indoors during freezing temperatures |
| Thyme | English, Lemon Thyme | Transplant | Earthy, lemony | Perennial | 6-12 inches | Cover during frost, especially young plants |
| Cilantro | Slow-Bolt, Santo | Direct Sow | Citrusy, peppery | Annual | 12-24 inches | Protect from frost with row cover |
| Parsley | Curly, Flat-leaf (Italian) | Direct Sow or Transplant | Fresh, grassy | Biennial (treated as Annual) | 12-18 inches | Cover during frost |
| Chives | Garlic Chives, Common Chives | Transplant or Direct Sow | Onion-like, mild | Perennial | 8-12 inches | Can tolerate light frost, cover during heavy freezes |
| Sage | Common, Purple Sage | Transplant | Pine-like, earthy | Perennial | 18-24 inches | Cover during frost |
| Rosemary | Arp, Tuscan Blue | Transplant | Woody, pine-like | Perennial | 24-36 inches | Protect from frost, cover or bring indoors |
Central Florida December Planting Guide
In Central Florida, frosting is not a serious issue as there is a lesser chance of frost.
I have also created a pruning schedule chart for Zone 9.
Leafy Greens - Central Florida
| Leafy Green | Variety Suggestion | Harvesting Time (Days) | Frost Care | Planting Method | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Bloomsdale Long Standing | 40-50 | Rare frost; use row covers if below 25°F. | Direct Sow | 3-6 inches apart |
| Lettuce | Black Seeded Simpson, Romaine | 30-60 | Minimal frost care needed; watch for freezing nights. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Collards | Vates, Champion | 55-75 | Cold-tolerant; improves flavor with light frost. | Transplant or Direct Sow | 18-24 inches apart |
| Kale | Dwarf Blue Curled, Lacinato | 50-65 | Highly frost-resistant; thrives in cool weather. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 12-18 inches apart |
| Swiss Chard | Fordhook Giant | 50-60 | Minimal frost protection needed; mulch around plants. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 12-18 inches apart |
| Arugula | Rocket, Astro | 20-40 | Handles light frost; protect during hard freezes. | Direct Sow | 4-6 inches apart |
| Asian Greens | Bok Choy, Tatsoi | 30-50 | Resistant to most frost; thrives in Central Florida winter. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Endive | Frisée, Broadleaf Batavian | 50-75 | Frost-tolerant; blanch for milder flavor before harvesting. | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Watercress | Aqua, Cressida | 15-30 | Rare frost impact; grow in moist or hydroponic conditions. | Transplant or Hydroponic | 6-12 inches apart |
Vegetables and Roots - Central Florida
| Vegetable/Root | Variety Suggestion | Harvesting Time (Days) | Planting Method | Spacing | Sunlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Danvers, Nantes | 60-80 | Direct Sow | 1-2 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Radish | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast | 20-30 | Direct Sow | 1-2 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Turnip | Purple Top White Globe | 30-60 | Direct Sow | 2-4 inches apart | Full Sun to Partial Sun |
| Beet | Detroit Dark Red | 50-70 | Direct Sow | 2-4 inches apart | Full Sun to Partial Sun |
| Onion | Granex, Texas Sweet | 100-120 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 3-4 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Garlic | Softneck Varieties | 180-210 | Direct Sow (Cloves) | 4-6 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Broccoli | Calabrese, Green Magic | 70-100 | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Cauliflower | Snowball, Early White | 75-85 | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jade Cross | 90-120 | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Potato | Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold | 70-100 | Direct Sow (Seed Potatoes) | 10-12 inches apart | Full Sun |
Flowering Plants - Central Florida
| Flowering Plant | Planting Method | Flower Colors | Fragrances | Plant Max Height | Blooming Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pansy | Transplant or Direct Sow | Variety of colors: purple, yellow, red, white, blue | Light fragrance | 6-12 inches | Fall to Spring |
| Snapdragon | Transplant or Direct Sow | Variety of colors: red, pink, yellow, white, purple | Fragrant flowers | 12-36 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Calendula | Direct Sow | Yellow, orange | Light fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Sweet Alyssum | Direct Sow | White, purple, pink | Sweet fragrance | 6-12 inches | Fall to Spring |
| Primrose | Transplant | Pink, yellow, purple, white | Light fragrance | 6-8 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Viola | Direct Sow or Transplant | Variety of colors: blue, yellow, white, purple | Light fragrance | 6-8 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Hellebore | Transplant | Pink, purple, white | Subtle fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Early Spring |
| Geranium | Transplant | Red, pink, white, purple | Fragrant flowers | 12-24 inches | Spring to Fall |
| Stock | Direct Sow or Transplant | Pink, purple, white, yellow | Sweet fragrance | 12-24 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Cineraria | Transplant | Blue, purple, pink, white | Light fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Spring |
If possible plant some of the flowering plants in pot or containers so that you can easily bring them indoors in extreme cold.
Berries - Central Florida
| Berry Plant | Planting Method | Taste | Harvesting Time | Max Plant Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry | Transplant | Sweet to tart | Late Spring to Early Summer | 3-6 feet |
| Strawberry | Transplant or Bare-root | Sweet | Spring to Early Summer | 6-12 inches |
| Blackberry | Transplant | Sweet, with tartness | Late Spring to Summer | 4-6 feet |
| Raspberry | Transplant | Sweet, tangy | Summer to Early Fall | 3-5 feet |
| Goji Berry | Transplant | Slightly sweet, tangy | Late Summer to Fall | 6-10 feet |
| Wineberry | Transplant | Sweet and tart | Summer | 3-4 feet |
| Mulberry | Transplant | Sweet, similar to blackberries | Spring to Summer | 10-15 feet |
| Boysenberry | Transplant | Sweet, with a hint of tartness | Summer | 4-8 feet |
| Aronia Berry | Transplant | Slightly tart, astringent | Late Summer to Fall | 3-6 feet |
Herbs - Central Florida
| Herb | Variety Suggestion | Planting Method | Flavor | Perennial or Annual | Max Plant Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Genovese, Sweet Basil | Direct Sow or Transplant | Sweet, peppery | Annual | 12-24 inches |
| Mint | Peppermint, Spearmint | Transplant or Root Cutting | Cool, minty | Perennial | 12-24 inches |
| Oregano | Greek, Italian | Direct Sow or Transplant | Spicy, earthy | Perennial | 12-18 inches |
| Thyme | English, Lemon Thyme | Transplant | Earthy, lemony | Perennial | 6-12 inches |
| Cilantro | Slow-Bolt, Santo | Direct Sow | Citrusy, peppery | Annual | 12-24 inches |
| Parsley | Curly, Flat-leaf (Italian) | Direct Sow or Transplant | Fresh, grassy | Biennial (treated as Annual) | 12-18 inches |
| Chives | Garlic Chives, Common Chives | Transplant or Direct Sow | Onion-like, mild | Perennial | 8-12 inches |
| Sage | Common, Purple Sage | Transplant | Pine-like, earthy | Perennial | 18-24 inches |
| Rosemary | Arp, Tuscan Blue | Transplant | Woody, pine-like | Perennial | 24-36 inches |
If you wish to grow Lavender in Zone 9. Check this guideline: How to grow Lavender in Zone 9.
South Florida December Planting Guide
Zero chance of witnessing frosts. I have not included the frost-caring column for the South Florida planting guide. If you wish you can check my full year planting calendar for South Fl.
Leafy Greens - South Florida
| Leafy Green | Variety Suggestion | Harvesting Time (Days) | Planting Method | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Baby Leaf, New Zealand | 40-50 | Direct Sow | 3-6 inches apart |
| Lettuce | Grand Rapids, Oakleaf | 30-60 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Swiss Chard | Bright Lights | 50-60 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 12-18 inches apart |
| Collards | Georgia, Top Bunch | 55-75 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 18-24 inches apart |
| Arugula | Rocket, Sylvetta | 20-40 | Direct Sow | 4-6 inches apart |
| Asian Greens | Bok Choy, Pak Choi | 30-50 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Malabar Spinach | Red Stem | 45-60 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 12 inches apart |
| Watercress | Peppery Cress | 15-30 | Hydroponic or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
| Amaranth Greens | Red Garnet, Green Callaloo | 30-45 | Direct Sow | 6-12 inches apart |
| Endive | Escarole | 50-75 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 6-12 inches apart |
Vegetables and Roots - South Florida
| Vegetable/Root | Variety Suggestion | Harvesting Time (Days) | Planting Method | Spacing | Sunlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Danvers, Imperator | 60-80 | Direct Sow | 1-2 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Radish | Cherry Belle, Icicle | 20-30 | Direct Sow | 1-2 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Turnip | Purple Top White Globe | 30-60 | Direct Sow | 2-4 inches apart | Full Sun to Partial Sun |
| Beet | Detroit Dark Red | 50-70 | Direct Sow | 2-4 inches apart | Full Sun to Partial Sun |
| Onion | Granex, Yellow Bermuda | 100-120 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 3-4 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Garlic | Softneck Varieties | 180-210 | Direct Sow (Cloves) | 4-6 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Sweet Potato | Centennial, Beauregard | 90-120 | Slips or Transplants | 12-18 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Tomato | Roma, Cherry | 60-80 | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Eggplant | Black Beauty, Fairy Tale | 70-90 | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
| Peppers | Bell, Jalapeño | 60-90 | Transplant | 18-24 inches apart | Full Sun |
Flowering Plants - South Florida
| Flowering Plant | Planting Method | Flower Colors | Fragrances | Plant Max Height | Blooming Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Direct Sow or Transplant | Yellow, orange, red | Light fragrance | 12-18 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Geranium | Transplant | Red, pink, white, purple | Fragrant flowers | 12-24 inches | Spring to Fall |
| Hibiscus | Transplant | Red, yellow, pink, orange | Sweet fragrance | 4-10 feet | Spring to Fall |
| Ixora | Transplant | Red, orange, yellow | Light fragrance | 3-6 feet | Year-round |
| Bougainvillea | Transplant | Pink, purple, red, orange | No fragrance | 10-30 feet | Spring to Fall |
| Petunia | Direct Sow or Transplant | Pink, purple, red, white, yellow | Sweet fragrance | 6-18 inches | Winter to Spring |
| Plumeria | Transplant | White, yellow, pink, red | Strong fragrance | 3-30 feet | Spring to Fall |
| Vinca | Direct Sow or Transplant | Pink, white, red, purple | No fragrance | 6-12 inches | Year-round |
| Portulaca | Direct Sow | Pink, red, yellow, orange | No fragrance | 6-12 inches | Spring to Fall |
| Jasmine | Transplant | White, yellow | Strong fragrance | 10-15 feet | Spring to Summer |
Berries - South Florida
| Berry Plant | Planting Method | Taste | Harvesting Time | Max Plant Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry | Transplant | Sweet to tart | Late Spring to Early Summer | 3-6 feet |
| Strawberry | Transplant or Bare-root | Sweet | Spring to Early Summer | 6-12 inches |
| Blackberry | Transplant | Sweet with tartness | Late Spring to Summer | 4-6 feet |
| Raspberry | Transplant | Sweet, tangy | Summer to Early Fall | 3-5 feet |
| Goji Berry | Transplant | Slightly sweet, tangy | Late Summer to Fall | 6-10 feet |
| Mulberry | Transplant | Sweet, similar to blackberries | Spring to Summer | 10-15 feet |
| Wineberry | Transplant | Sweet and tart | Summer | 3-4 feet |
| Boysenberry | Transplant | Sweet with a hint of tartness | Summer | 4-8 feet |
| Aronia Berry | Transplant | Slightly tart, astringent | Late Summer to Fall | 3-6 feet |
Herbs - South Florida
| Herb | Planting Method | Flavor | Perennial or Annual | Max Plant Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Direct Sow or Transplant | Sweet, peppery | Annual | 12-24 inches |
| Mint | Transplant or Root Cutting | Cool, minty | Perennial | 12-24 inches |
| Oregano | Transplant or Direct Sow | Pungent, savory | Perennial | 18-24 inches |
| Cilantro | Direct Sow | Fresh, citrusy | Annual | 12-24 inches |
| Thyme | Transplant | Earthy, savory | Perennial | 6-12 inches |
| Rosemary | Transplant or Stem Cutting | Pine-like, earthy | Perennial | 3-4 feet |
| Sage | Transplant | Earthy, savory | Perennial | 12-30 inches |
| Parsley | Direct Sow | Fresh, mild | Annual | 6-12 inches |
| Chives | Transplant or Direct Sow | Onion-like, mild | Perennial | 12-18 inches |
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