Planting in December: Tips for Florida, Subtropical Regions, and Colder Climates

December offers unique opportunities for gardeners, whether you're planting outdoors in subtropical regions like Florida or overwintering indoors in colder climates. Here’s how to make the most of this season with Sow Exotic’s incredible edibles.

Growing in December in Florida and Subtropical Regions

Florida and other subtropical areas provide an ideal climate for planting many edible plants in December. The cooler temperatures reduce stress on young plants, while the mild winters encourage steady growth. Here’s why it’s a great time to plant:

1. Cooler Weather: December’s cooler days and nights help plants establish strong roots without the stress of extreme heat.
2. Extended Growing Season: Many tropical and subtropical plants thrive year-round in these regions, making it possible to plant now and enjoy harvests for months.
3. Lower Pest Pressure: The cooler weather often reduces common garden pests, giving your plants a healthy head start.

In Florida and similar regions, you can directly plant fruit trees like Strawberry Tree, Mulberry 'Everbearing', or shrubs like Barbados Cherry. Hardy greens like Okinawan Spinach also thrive outdoors all winter long.

Pro Tip: Focus on frost-sensitive plants like Spanish Lime (Quenepa) in areas that rarely experience freezes, or use frost cloths to protect tender species during cold snaps.

Overwintering Indoors in Colder Climates

For gardeners in cooler climates, December is the perfect time to overwinter tropical and subtropical plants indoors. While these plants won’t thrive in freezing temperatures, they can do beautifully in controlled indoor environments.

1. Indoor Placement: Position plants near a sunny south-facing window or supplement with grow lights to provide the light they need.
2. Temperature Control: Keep the indoor temperature between 65-75°F for optimal growth. Avoid placing plants near drafty windows or heating vents.
3. Humidity Needs: Use a humidifier or place trays of water near your plants to maintain humidity levels, as indoor air can be quite dry in winter.
4. Container Growing: Many edibles, like Green Tea or Pineapple Guava, adapt well to container growing and can be moved outdoors again in spring.

Pro Tip: For small spaces, compact growers like Imbe and Elderberry are excellent choices, as they’re easy to manage indoors.

10 Edibles to Plant in December

Here’s our curated list of Sow Exotic’s top picks for December planting:

1. Strawberry Tree, Red: A fast-growing tropical tree with sweet, cherry-like fruits year-round.
2. Mulberry 'Everbearing': A prolific fruiting tree producing juicy, dark berries over an extended season.
3. Barbados Cherry: A tropical shrub offering vitamin C-rich cherries multiple times a year.
4. Jamun (Java Plum): This evergreen tree offers tangy, deep purple fruits with a unique flavor.
5. Elderberry, Florida Native: A hardy shrub known for its clusters of immune-boosting berries.
6. Green Tea: Harvest young leaves from this versatile plant to enjoy fresh, homemade tea.
7. Spanish Lime (Quenepa): A tropical tree producing tangy, lychee-like fruits perfect for snacking.
8. Imbe: A drought-tolerant tree with small, tangy orange fruits that are as unique as they are tasty.
9. Okinawan Spinach: A perennial leafy green with vibrant purple undersides, perfect for salads.
10. Pineapple Guava: A resilient shrub offering sweet, aromatic fruits and edible flowers.

Start Growing Today!

Whether you’re planting outdoors in Florida or overwintering indoors up north, Sow Exotic has the perfect plants for your garden. Explore our Food Forest Favorites and make December the start of a fruitful new season! 🌱