Florida native
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
The single best hummingbird plant on the Treasure Coast.
Hamelia patens
NativePollinatorLow-water
Why it works here
Blooms nearly year-round in South Florida. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees all work it constantly. True Florida native — buy Hamelia patens var. patens, not the Bahamian look-alike.
Care
Cut back hard in early spring to keep dense and blooming. Otherwise ignore.
Common problems
None. Ask for the true native — nurseries often sell H. patens var. glabra by mistake.
Common questions
Is firebush a Florida native?
The true species Hamelia patens var. patens is native. Var. glabra is a South American look-alike often mis-sold — ask specifically.
Interested in a firebush (hamelia patens) in your landscape?
We plan, install, and care for it — start with a paid consultation.