Pasco and Tampa Bay
What to plant in Pasco and Tampa Bay
Which fruit trees fit our two grow zones, from UF/IFAS Extension, and when to plant them.
Know your zone first
The Tampa Bay area north of the bay has two zones on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Near the Gulf it's zone 10a (average coldest night 30 to 35°F): New Port Richey, Port Richey, Holiday, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor. Inland it's zone 9b (25 to 30°F): Trinity, Hudson, Odessa, Land O' Lakes, Spring Hill, Wesley Chapel, Lutz. Those are the zones for each town's main ZIP; check your own on the USDA map. 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Inside one yard, low spots where cold air settles and soggy ground are the worst places for a tropical tree; UF/IFAS suggests mixing tender plants among hardy ones so one freeze can't take everything. UF/IFAS ENH1/MG025, Cold Protection of Landscape Plants
Fruit by zone
Each fruit's UF/IFAS zone range, and how it lines up with our two zones.
| Fruit | UF/IFAS zone | Zone 9b (inland) | Zone 10a (coast) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loquat | USDA zones 8A to 11; grows throughout Florida. UF/IFAS ST235 (loquat) | Rated | Rated |
| Mulberry | USDA zones 3 to 10 (mulberry species). UF/IFAS EP618 (mulberry) | Rated | Rated |
| Jaboticaba | USDA zones 9a to 11 (another UF/IFAS source says 10a to 11b). UF/IFAS HS1519, Jaboticaba | Rated | Rated |
| Avocado | USDA zones 9B to 11; how far north depends on the variety. UF/IFAS ST435 (avocado) UF/IFAS MG213, Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape | Rated | Rated |
| Banana | USDA zones 9B to 11. In zone 9 it fruits only when winter stays above freezing. UF/IFAS ST409 (banana) | Rated | Rated |
| Barbados cherry | USDA zones 9B to 11. UF/IFAS FPS-390 (Barbados cherry) | Rated | Rated |
| Papaya | Grows best in USDA zones 9B to 11. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: papaya | Rated | Rated |
| Lychee | USDA zones 10A to 11; in Florida, planting is limited to coastal areas of the south. UF/IFAS ST364 (lychee) UF/IFAS MG051, Lychee Growing in the Florida Home Landscape | Past its zone: warm spot + cover | Rated |
| Pineapple | USDA zones 10A to 11B. UF/IFAS FPS-039 (pineapple) | Past its zone: warm spot + cover | Rated |
| Mango | USDA zones 10B to 11. UF/IFAS ST404 (mango) UF/IFAS MG216, Mango Growing in the Florida Home Landscape | Past its zone: warm spot + cover | Past its zone: warm spot + cover |
| Pomegranate | No zone number; more cold-hardy than most tropical fruit. UF/IFAS MG056, The Pomegranate | No zone number | No zone number |
| Fig | No zone number; fairly easy to grow in north and central Florida. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: figs | No zone number | No zone number |
| Blueberry (Emerald) | No zone number; Emerald is best adapted to north-central and central Florida. UF/IFAS HS1245 (Emerald blueberry) | No zone number | No zone number |
| Guava | No zone number; UF/IFAS says plant it in central Florida, managed so it doesn't spread. UF/IFAS MG045, Guava Growing in the Florida Home Landscape | No zone number | No zone number |
Good first trees for Pasco and Tampa Bay
- Easiest on cold: loquat, mulberry, fig and pomegranate are hardy well below our coldest nights. UF/IFAS ST235 (loquat) UF/IFAS EP618 (mulberry) UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: figs UF/IFAS MG056, The Pomegranate
- Rated for both zones: avocado (pick a cold-tolerant variety inland), jaboticaba, Barbados cherry, banana and papaya. UF/IFAS ST435 (avocado) UF/IFAS HS1519, Jaboticaba UF/IFAS FPS-390 (Barbados cherry) UF/IFAS ST409 (banana) UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: papaya
- Coast first: lychee and pineapple are rated from zone 10a. UF/IFAS ST364 (lychee) UF/IFAS FPS-039 (pineapple)
- Mango: rated for zones 10B to 11, so anywhere here it's past its zone. Mature trees take 25°F for a few hours, but young trees may be killed at 29 to 30°F: plant in the warmest spot you have and cover it while it's young. UF/IFAS ST404 (mango) UF/IFAS MG216, Mango Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
When to plant
- Pomegranate: February to March. UF/IFAS MG056, The Pomegranate
- Barbados cherry: spring, at the start of the rainy season. UF/IFAS FPS-390 (Barbados cherry)
- Mamey sapote: at the start of the rainy season. UF/IFAS MG331, Mamey Sapote
- For tropical trees in general, a tree planted well before cold season has time to settle in; recently planted trees are more easily hurt by cold. UF/IFAS ENH1/MG025, Cold Protection of Landscape Plants
Before you plant
- Avocado: laurel wilt kills avocados and has been found in all 67 Florida counties. Never move avocado wood. Wilting leaves, dieback or sawdust tubes on the trunk: call the Division of Plant Industry, 1-888-397-1517. UF/IFAS HS1358 (laurel wilt)
- Guava: UF/IFAS says plant it in central Florida managed so it doesn't spread. UF/IFAS MG045, Guava Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
- Sapodilla: UF/IFAS rates it invasive in central and south Florida and does not recommend planting it there. UF/IFAS MG057, Sapodilla Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
- Planting, watering and feeding for each fruit, with its UF/IFAS guide: the tree care page.
Pickup, delivery and planting
Pick up by appointment in New Port Richey at no charge, or we deliver, and plant if you like, in 12 towns around New Port Richey. Prices by town are on the delivery and planting page. Call or text 727-777-2834 to see what's ready and set a time, and we'll text you the pickup address.
More guides
Delivery and planting · Cold protection guide · Tree care by fruit
Towns we serve: New Port Richey · Port Richey · Holiday · Trinity · Hudson · Tarpon Springs · Palm Harbor · Odessa · Land O' Lakes · Spring Hill · Wesley Chapel · Lutz
The growing notes here summarize the linked UF/IFAS Extension publications. They are general Florida guidance, not advice for your yard. UF/IFAS has not reviewed or endorsed this site or this business.