What to Plant in May
May changes the rhythm of the Florida Zone 9 garden. Spring warmth is giving way to real Florida heat, and the list of vegetables worth starting now becomes more selective. This is the time to favor okra, southern peas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, roselle, tropical greens, and other plants that are comfortable in warm soil and long, hot days.
May at a Glance
May is less about planting everything and more about planting the right things. Many spring vegetables are already producing, while new plantings should increasingly favor heat-loving crops. Okra, southern peas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, roselle, Seminole pumpkin, tropical spinaches, and vigorous warm-season flowers are ready to take center stage as Florida moves closer to summer.
Vegetables
May rewards gardeners who work with the heat instead of against it. The broad spring planting window begins to narrow, so concentrate on vegetables that tolerate warm soil, high temperatures, and the increasing humidity of the approaching Florida summer.
Direct Sow in the Garden
Okra
Sow directly into warm soil in full sun. May temperatures suit okra beautifully, and plants will become increasingly vigorous as summer approaches.
Southern Peas
Direct sow black-eyed peas, cream peas, crowder peas, or other southern peas. They thrive in conditions that are becoming too hot for many traditional spring vegetables.
Peanuts
Sow directly into loose, warm, well-drained soil. Leave the soil around established plants relatively undisturbed so the developing pegs can enter the ground and form peanuts.
Chayote
Establish chayote in a warm location with strong support for its vigorous vines. Give the plant enough room to climb and spread as summer growth accelerates.
Start for Transplanting Later
Sweet Potatoes
Plant slips into warm, loose soil in raised beds, large containers, or grow bags. Sweet potatoes appreciate heat and will quickly begin sending vines across the garden.
Roselle
Transplant young roselle plants into a sunny location with room to grow. Roselle thrives in Florida heat and becomes increasingly impressive as the warm season progresses.
Tropical Spinaches
Establish heat-tolerant tropical greens as traditional cool-season leafy vegetables fade. They can provide fresh leaves through conditions that would quickly stress ordinary spinach.
Seminole Pumpkin
Carefully transplant young plants into a sunny location where their vigorous vines have room to travel. Seminole pumpkin is especially well adapted to Florida growing conditions.
Luffa
Transplant carefully beside a sturdy trellis. Luffa produces vigorous vines in warm weather and benefits from strong vertical support from the beginning.
Long Squash
Transplant carefully into rich, warm soil and provide sturdy support for climbing varieties. Give the vines plenty of room and consistent moisture while they establish.
Amaranth
Young plants can be moved carefully into a sunny warm-season garden. Amaranth tolerates heat well and can be grown for edible leaves, grain, or ornamental color depending on the variety.
Pigeon Pea
Transplant carefully into a sunny location with enough room for the plant to mature. Once established, pigeon peas appreciate Florida's long warm season.
Flowers
May flowers need to be prepared for increasing heat. Choose vigorous warm-season annuals and flowering plants that can continue bringing color and pollinators into the YardStead as spring gives way to summer.
Direct Sow in the Garden
Zinnias
Sow directly in full sun and warm soil. Zinnias establish quickly and provide bright flowers for both the garden and visiting pollinators.
Gomphrena
Sow in a sunny, well-drained location. Once established, gomphrena tolerates heat well and produces colorful globe-shaped flowers through the warm season.
Amaranthus
Direct sow into warm soil in full sun. Depending on the variety, plants can provide striking foliage, ornamental flowers, or edible leaves.
Balsam
Sow directly into warm garden soil. Balsam grows readily from seed and adds old-fashioned color to beds and containers during hot weather.
Marigolds
Sow directly into sunny beds and containers. Keep new seedlings evenly moist while they establish in increasingly warm May weather.
Celosia
Sow into warm soil in full sun. Celosia enjoys heat and produces vivid flower heads that fit naturally into Florida's summer garden.
Start for Transplanting Later
Angelonia
Establish young plants in sunny beds or containers. Angelonia handles Florida heat well and can provide upright spikes of flowers through much of the warm season.
Pentas
Transplant into sunny or lightly shaded locations. Pentas tolerate heat and produce flower clusters that are especially attractive to butterflies.
Moss Rose
Establish plants in hot, sunny, well-drained locations. Moss rose is especially useful in containers and garden edges where soil dries relatively quickly.
Torenia
Transplant into containers or partially shaded areas where plants receive some relief from the strongest afternoon sun.
Salvia
Establish young plants in sunny beds or containers. Salvias provide lasting color and can help attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Periwinkle
Plant into sunny, well-drained locations. Periwinkle appreciates warm weather but performs best when its roots are not kept constantly wet.
Wax Begonia
Transplant into beds or containers where plants receive suitable light and regular moisture. They can provide dependable warm-season color.
Melampodium
Establish young plants in sunny garden spaces. Melampodium handles heat well and produces cheerful yellow flowers over a long warm-season period.
May Planting Notes
- May marks a noticeable shift in the Florida Zone 9 planting calendar. The broad spring planting window is narrowing, so concentrate increasingly on plants that genuinely enjoy heat.
- Okra, southern peas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, roselle, tropical greens, and other warm-weather crops can now take the place of vegetables that struggle as temperatures climb.
- Do not assume that every vegetable suitable for March or April should still be newly planted in May. Some spring crops are now better maintained and harvested than started again.
- Sweet potatoes work especially well in loose raised-bed soil, large pots, and grow bags where developing roots have room to expand.
- Vigorous vines such as luffa, Seminole pumpkin, chayote, and long squash need substantial space or sturdy vertical support. Plan their direction before the vines begin rapid summer growth.
- Containers and grow bags can dry quickly in May. Check moisture frequently, especially during sunny, windy, or unusually hot periods.
- A layer of mulch helps moderate soil temperature, conserve moisture, and reduce weed competition as the garden moves toward summer.
- Water early enough that foliage can dry during the day. Increasing warmth and humidity make good air circulation increasingly important around vegetables and flowers.
- Continue checking plants regularly for insect activity. Warm weather speeds up both plant growth and pest populations, making early detection useful.
- Heat-tolerant flowers such as zinnias, gomphrena, celosia, pentas, salvia, angelonia, and melampodium can keep the YardStead colorful while providing resources for visiting pollinators.