27 Best Flowers for Hot, Humid Climates

If you live in a climate that’s very hot and humid in the summer, chances are good that you’ve struggled at some point with finding flowering plants that don’t wilt in the scorching afternoon heat. Many flowering plants just can’t handle when the heat index rises about 90°F (32°C). Humidity can be an issue, as well, for plants that are susceptible to fungal issues, which tend to thrive in humid environments.

Not to worry, though, There are plenty of beautiful flowering plants that love the heat and humidity of tropical and sub-tropical climates. In fact, they rather prefer it! Let’s take a look at 27 of my favorite plants that thrive in hot, humid climates that you can add to your garden this season.

Our Favorites

Vanda Orchid

	botanical name Vanda
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2″-10″
	hardiness zones 10-11

Most orchids are tropical plants, and many of them tolerate a fair amount of heat. When it comes to humidity, the majority of orchids prefer a level of 50% at minimum. Vanda orchids are known for their preference for greenhouselike conditions, preferring a humidity level of 80% for optimal health. Vandas are also more heat tolerant than most orchids, and they thrive in very bright but indirect sunlight. 

While many orchids are happy with indoor conditions, Vanda orchids can’t tolerate the lower humidity level and lack of light that other types can. These tropical epiphytes will be happiest in hot and humid climates. Hang your vanda from the branches of a tree where it can get plenty of indirect light, and watch this beauty flourish. Count yourself among the lucky few who can grow this orchid collector’s favorite because north of zone 10, it needs to live in a greenhouse.

Lantana

	botanical name Lantana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-6’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Lantana is one of those plants that, when grown in the right conditions, quickly fills a space with aromatic foliage and fun little flower clusters in bright, cheerful colors. Lantana is incredibly hardy and has no issues with heat or humidity. It is also exceptionally drought tolerant, so even in times of little rain, once established, this plant will virtually take care of itself. 

Perhaps my favorite thing about this plant is that it is a butterfly magnet. Not only are its little flowers a nectar buffet for adult butterflies, but this plant plays host to the painted lady caterpillar, ensuring that your yard will be aflutter with these pretty little pollinators all summer. To prevent lantana from overtaking its neighboring plants, you can prune it back hard, and within a month, it will fill back in and bloom again. 

Zinnia

	botanical name Zinnia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 4’
	hardiness zones 3-10

What can I say about zinnias? These cheery little flowers are impossible not to love. If you live in a hot, humid climate like I do, these Mexican natives are incredibly easy to grow and make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers. They are a favorite nectar source for butterflies, as well. Plant a bed full of zinnias and you will have all summer color and a veritable butterfly convention.

Growing zinnias is incredibly easy. Simply loosen up the soil and sprinkle seeds wherever you want them to grow. With a little water and sunshine, you can have beautiful blooms in as little as 60 days in most cases.

Powdery mildew can be an issue for zinnias, but as long as they get proper air circulation, it’s typically not a problem. ‘Queeny Lime Orange’ is a colorful, double-petal variety that has garnered a lot of attention recently, and it’s not hard to see why! 

Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Coneflowers are perennial only to zone 9 but can be grown as annuals in warmer climates, and they provide a lot of drought-resistant color to the garden. If your climate gets very hot in the summer, give your coneflowers some shade in the afternoon when the sunlight is most harsh. These flowers come in many different colors, with purple being the most popular and, in my humble opinion, the prettiest. 

In addition to being attractive, coneflowers are popular with pollinators and birds, too! As the seed heads get larger, the petals begin to droop attractively. If left on the plant, these seed heads will make a great food source for birds in the fall, drawing songbirds to the garden. Although it is annual in hotter climates, these plants can self-seed.

Salvia

	botanical name Salvia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1′-3′
	hardiness zones 5-10

If you love to see bees in the garden, I’ve got the perfect plant for you. Salvia is a pollinator favorite with excellent heat and drought tolerance. This is one of those plants that seldom looks droopy, even on the hottest days here in North Florida, which, believe it or not, sees some exceptionally hot summer days. 

Salvia is a shrubby plant with aromatic foliage. It is a big bloomer, usually in shades of blue, purple, and occasionally red. ‘Violet Queen’ blooms throughout the summer, adding lots of color to the garden.

It also makes an excellent container plant if you prefer to contain the spread. Salvia can colonize depending on the variety and climate, but it’s easy to pull up portions that overflow the designated space. 

Verbena

	botanical name Verbena
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-4’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Verbena is commonly grown as an annual in cooler climates but is perennial in zones 7-11, making this a great flower for those hot, humid climates. This plant will take all the sun you want to give it but also tolerate some shade if necessary. Although very heat tolerant, verbena prefers moist soil and is not as drought tolerant as some others on the list. 

Give your verbena plants good air circulation and water at the ground level. Too much moisture on the leaves, coupled with high humidity, can lead to fungal issues. Verbena is a great addition to the pollinator garden, and it self-seeds but not aggressively. ‘Brazilian Vervain’ is a tall variety with lovely purple flowers and sturdy stems. 

Hibiscus

	botanical name Hibiscus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-16’
	hardiness zones 4-12

For a tropical look in the garden, Hibiscus gets the job done in a major way. Boasting some of the largest blooms among flowering perennials, some varieties produce dinnerplate-sized blooms. The tropical varieties are best for hot, humid climates. These medium to large-sized shrubs have evergreen foliage and can bloom year-round under ideal conditions. 

A row of tropical hibiscus shrubs makes an excellent privacy hedge or windscreen. The large, waxy leaves are sturdy, and the plant is drought tolerant in general, but flowers may wilt faster in intense heat without moisture. Cold-hardy types are deciduous and better suited for cooler climates. 

Stonecrop

	botanical name Sedum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3″-24″
	hardiness zones 3-9

Stonecrops are flowering succulent plants that are exceptionally heat and drought-tolerant. They require little care, and some varieties are quite floriferous. In addition to their heat tolerance, stonecrops are highly cold tolerant as well. They are great producers of nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators to the garden. 

Plant your stonecrop in full sun if you experience cold winters, but give it some afternoon shade in hotter climates. These plants prefer poor and sandy soil types, and in soil that is too fertile, they can become leggy and will have difficulty supporting their rather substantial flower clusters, which bloom atop tall stems. 

Blanket Flower

	botanical name Gaillardia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12″-30″
	hardiness zones 3-10

Another incredibly low-maintenance plant, blanket flower, is a wonderful flowering plant for creating colorful drifts in poor, sandy soil and coastal areas. They are highly salt tolerant and prefer poor soil over fertile environments. They spread, but slowly, so they are not difficult to control. 

Blanket flower is a mounding plant that blooms for a long period in the summer. The flowers are sizeable and bright yellow with bold red centers. A dark brown center makes these flowers stand out, and pollinators will agree. They have excellent drought tolerance and need well-drained soil as they are susceptible to root rot. 

Tickseed

	botanical name Coreopsis tinctoria
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-4′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Incredibly tough and long-blooming, Tickseed is like absolute sunshine in the garden. Tickseed blooms in summer and fall, although mine is still blooming in January with no sign of slowing down. Deadheading can be labor intensive with the growth habit of this plant, but it will result in an abundance of long-lived flowers.

Tickseed prefers full sun and will become leggy in partial shade but will still bloom. They aren’t picky about water but prefer for it to be somewhat sandy and well-draining. Regular watering will keep your tickseed plants blooming, but once they are established, they are very drought-tolerant. You will see lots of butterflies visiting these cheerful flowers. 

Periwinkle

	botanical name Vinca
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Periwinkle or vinca flowers are similar in appearance to impatiens, but they tolerate much more sun exposure and are exceptionally heat tolerant. The foliage has a trailing habit and finds its way around the garden bed, filling in wherever it has an opportunity. When started from seed, these plants can take several years to flower.

While they prefer full sun, periwinkles can thrive in partial shade, making them one of the more versatile perennials for very hot climates. They will flower even in mid-summer when the temperatures are at their highest. Plant these away from other plants with weak root systems, as vinca can choke out weaker plants. 

Cuphea

	botanical name Cuphea hyssopifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1′-2’
	hardiness zones 9-11

If you love hummingbirds, cuphea is a great addition to the hot, humid climate garden. In especially hot weather, this plant will appreciate some shelter from the afternoon sun, but it is surprisingly resilient.

I thought that my cuphea had died off completely, only to have to spring back to life after a good rain. It is less drought-tolerant than some on the list, so make sure to give this plant more water, particularly if it’s grown in a container. 

In warm climates, cuphea is evergreen and will bloom nearly year-round. A frost will damage the foliage, and a hard freeze will kill the roots, but they are more cold-tolerant than they seem. As long as the roots aren’t frozen, they should return in the spring after dying back in the winter. 

Cosmos

	botanical name Cosmos
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cosmos are a delight in the garden and as a container plant. With their delicate, sometimes fernlike foliage and bright and cheery flowers, you will love watching cosmos bloom. Cosmos come in a wide array of colors, and they make great cut flowers, as they can be cut as soon as the first flower blooms, and with multiple buds on a stem, they continue to bloom after cutting. 

I am partial to the ‘Rubenza’ variety. These flowers are a bold shade of red when they open and fade to a lovely terracotta as they age. The overall effect is that there are flowers in varying shades on the plant simultaneously. These plants are heat and drought-tolerant, and because their foliage is light, they are not especially susceptible to fungal infection.

Petunia

	botanical name Petunia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-18”
	hardiness zones 9-11

It might surprise you to learn that a flower as seemingly delicate as the petunia is actually a very strong and sturdy plant that tolerates a wide range of climates. My petunias bloom through summer and fall, and as long as they aren’t exposed to frost, they will make it through the winter with a flower or two still intact and spring back to life when the temperatures rise. 

Petunias make great container plants and tend to take the place of a spiller, with a bit of a trailing habit. They also make nice hanging basket plants. They come in a wide array of colors from white to nearly black, although I’m partial to the ‘Shock Wave’ ‘Purple Tie Dye’ variety for its festive, irregular bicolored flowers with a high contrast purple and white variegation. 

Portulaca

	botanical name Portulaca
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-8”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Another succulent plant that flowers freely for a long period of the year, portulaca is charming. This little plant will grow just about anywhere, filling in cracks in a rock wall or spilling over the side of a hanging basket. All parts of the Portulaca oleracea plant are edible, and the flowers make a very pretty garnish, although they tend to wilt quickly once they’re cut. 

The foliage is fleshy but delicate, and the flowers come in a wide array of colors and petal formations. Some are quite flashy, while others have more of a subtle beauty. Portulaca blooms best during the hottest time of year and is surprisingly drought-tolerant. It is easy to grow from seed.

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

	botanical name Thunbergia alata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Named for its likeness to black-eyed Susans, this hot-weather, flowering vine looks great in a window box or hanging basket and can be trained to climb just about any structure. It is perennial in climates that don’t experience frost and can be grown as an annual in cooler climates. It loves to be fertilized and is a vigorous grower that provides a ton of summer color. 

Black-eyed Susan vine loves heat and humidity. It can even be grown as a flowering ground cover in low-traffic areas of the yard. It is moderately drought tolerant, but as a container plant, be sure to keep it watered, or it will wilt, and newer growth will dry up quickly. This vining plant is invasive in parts of North America. Consult your extension office before planting.

Morning Glory

	botanical name Ipomoea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’-10’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Morning glories are another surprisingly heat-tolerant plant that grows and flowers vigorously. Attractive heart-shaped foliage grows on twining vines that can be trained to grow on just about any structure. They have a rambling habit and large, tubular flowers that come in a wide variety of colors, usually cool shades. 

Flowers close on sunny days but open in the evening, so these make a beautiful addition to the moon garden. On cloudy days the flowers will remain open all day. ‘Flying Saucer’ is a beautiful variety with flowers that are irregularly striped in blue and white and are highly drought tolerant. 

Hyacinth Bean

	botanical name Lablab purpureus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10’-25’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Some gardeners may find hyacinth bean difficult to control, and I grant that it does self-seed aggressively and can grow to grand size in a short time. However, I adore a flower-covered arbor as an entryway to the garden, and this plant makes that happen in a very short time, even from seed.  

The pretty, fragrant, purple flowers grow on strong, slender, purple stems and make a wonderful addition to the cut flower arrangement. The more you cut the flowers, the less of an issue you will have with volunteers in the following year. This plant stands up to heat, humidity, and dry weather, like a champ.

Marigold

	botanical name Tagetes
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-18″
	hardiness zones 2-11

Marigolds are commonly attributed in name to Africa and France, but they are actually native to Mexico and South America, so they thrive in hot, humid climates. With their bright, happy flowers and unique fragrance, marigolds make great container plants and stand up to hot and humid weather very well. 

In addition to their ornamental value, marigolds are edible, as well. They make a lovely garnish and have a sweet and spicy scent and flavor. These plants are rich in symbolism and have a special place in Mexican culture where they’re used in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, the celebration of remembrance of lost loved ones. 

Sunflower

	botanical name Helianthus annuus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 25’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sunflowers are a wonder. These widely varied flowers are annuals in any climate, and some varieties can row to staggering heights of over 20 feet in a single season. Sunflowers are heat and sun-loving plants that will turn toward each other on cloudy days in the absence of sunlight. How charming is that? Speaking of charming, have you seen these adorable dwarf Teddy Bear sunflowers?

Sunflowers aren’t just beautiful. They are edible, too. Harvest and cook the heads of the flowers in a variety of ways, or extract the seeds and roast them for a crunchy, salty snack food that is high in protein and a great source of fiber. Birds love them, too, so you can leave them on the plant to dry, and birds will flock to snack on their tasty seed heads. 

Impatiens

	botanical name Impatiens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-24″
	hardiness zones 10-11

Typically grown as annuals, impatiens are not sun lovers, but heat and humidity don’t bother them one bit. Plant your impatiens under a tree for bright filtered light, and they will reward you with tons of brightly colored flowers from spring through fall. The jewel tones that bloom from this ‘Midnight Blend’ are eye-catching and add a lot of color to partially shaded areas of the yard. 

Impatiens are mounding plants that look spectacular in a mass plating. I can’t stress enough what a great little ornamental these flowering beauties are in climates where most shade plants wither at the mere mention of 100°F (38°C) temperatures. You won’t regret adding these cuties to your landscape for a moment. 

Passion Vine

	botanical name Passiflora
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10’-25’
	hardiness zones 7-11

For tasty, edible fruits and some of the most unique and flamboyant flowers on the block, passion vine or passion flower is a winner in any hot climate garden. Their large, colorful, and intricate flowers aren’t just popular with gardeners.

Pollinators adore them as well. In fact, this plant is the larval host for several species of butterflies, including gulf and variegated fritillaries, zebra longwing, and Julia Heliconian. 

Now, if you don’t want caterpillars defoliating your leaves, this plant can be high maintenance. Prevention involves removing eggs or larvae by hand. If, however, you fancy a butterfly nursery in your garden, this plant will achieve that purpose in short order.

Goldenrod

	botanical name Solidago
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

This plant virtually grows itself, and while it may look like a roadside weed to some, it can be really lovely in a wildflower garden, and it attracts pollinators to the yard in droves. Goldenrod is a towering beauty that makes a great backdrop for other late summer and fall blooming flowers. It needs little to no attention from the gardener and grows in climates that have hot summers and drought like any native wildflower would. 

Not to be confused with ragweed, a common allergen, goldenrod is a great nectar producer and has been widely used as a medicinal preparation. They are drought-tolerant and don’t mind humidity as long as there is proper air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Note that these are fall plants, but they do emerge at the end of summer in cooler climates.

Tuberose

	botanical name Agave amica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2′-3′
	hardiness zones 7-10

From one of the most fragrant flowering plants in the garden, one might not expect such excellent heat tolerance, but these are no shrinking violets. Tuberose plants can take the heat but keep them watered. These plants need ample water, especially during their summer blooming season.

Once classified as Polianthes, tuberose is actually a type of agave. Its spiky, linear leaves stand in contrast to its soft white or pink flowers with their amazing fragrance. They grow well in containers and in the ground and make excellent cut flowers.

Penta

	botanical name Pentas lanceolata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1′-2’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Pentas are great hot-weather bloomers that prefer an abundance of sun and don’t shy away from mid-summer high temperatures. Keep them watered for the best blooms and deadhead to keep them blooming for a long portion of the season. 

Pentas are pest-resistant as well and make great container plants. They are highly appealing to butterflies and hummingbirds, especially the red varieties. Easy to propagate and very low maintenance, pentas are a wonderful addition to the tropical landscape and garden. 

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3′
	hardiness zones 3-9

Surprisingly resilient and a great big bloomer, yarrow is drought, heat, and humidity tolerant. Its feathery foliage is resistant to fungus, and pollinators adore it. Plant your yarrow in a sunny spot, and give it some room to spread out. You will never run out of these pretty flowers once they are established in the garden. 

Yarrow likes well-drained and slightly acidic soil. Not only does it lure beneficial insects to the yard, but it’s been known to repel some of the less desirable insects. The most common color for yarrow flowers is yellow, but there are many other beautiful shades to be found. Plant a single color or a blend of many, like ‘Colorado Blend’.

Cock’s Comb

	botanical name Celosia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8″-24″
	hardiness zones 10-12

Cock’s comb, or celosia, is related to amaranth and shares similar flowers to its much taller cousin. Most well known for its interesting, brain-shaped, velvety flowers, ‘Chief Red Flame’ is a popular and striking variety. Pollinators will visit in the summer, and birds will clean up any seed heads left in the fall. 

This plant is drought and heat-tolerant and stands up well to high humidity as well, although heavy rains will leave flowers looking a bit mushy and droopy for some varieties. These plants are heavy feeders, so a regular application of fertilizer will keep them happiest.