Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Florida Rental Homes

South Florida is known for its tropical climate, sandy soils, and humid conditions—which can be both a blessing and a challenge for property owners trying to maintain attractive outdoor spaces. If you own a rental home in this region, keeping the landscaping simple, beautiful, and easy to manage is key to preserving curb appeal without pouring time and money into constant upkeep.

That’s where low-maintenance tropical plants come in. With the right selection of greenery, you can ensure your South Florida rental property stays lush and welcoming year-round, while keeping maintenance costs low. At Horseman’s Landscaping, we know which plants thrive in this unique environment—and we’ll help you design a stunning, low-maintenance landscape that tenants will love.

Why Low-Maintenance Landscaping Matters for Rental Homes

Managing a rental property comes with its fair share of responsibilities, and complicated landscaping maintenance shouldn’t be one of them. Whether you’re a hands-on landlord or working through a property management service, choosing the right landscaping approach will save money, simplify upkeep, and protect your investment.

Low-maintenance landscaping minimizes irrigation needs, resists seasonal pests, and handles South Florida’s wet summers and dry winters. Plus, these plantings usually don’t require pruning every other week and are hardy enough to bounce back from neglect—important qualities when tenants might not have a green thumb.

Top Low-Maintenance Plants for South Florida Rentals

Below are some of the best low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and visually appealing plants that landscapers and property managers in South Florida rely on year after year.

1. Crotons

With their vibrant, variegated leaves in shades of yellow, green, red, and orange, crotons make a bold statement in any landscape. Not only are they heat- and drought-tolerant, but these tropical shrubs also do well in both sun and partial shade. Once established, crotons require very little water and are ideal for creating borders or accent areas around walkways.

2. Areca Palm

Slim, cluster-forming, and fast-growing, the Areca Palm is a rental-friendly favorite. It grows well in groups to form privacy screens and naturally fits into the tropical vibes of South Florida landscaping. Areca Palms tolerate a range of soils and aren’t too picky about watering once they’ve matured. A simple trimming once or twice a year is usually enough to keep them looking clean.

3. Coontie Palm

The native Coontie Palm is drought-tolerant and can adapt to full sun or partial shade. It’s not a true palm, but a cycad, and it works beautifully as a ground cover or accent shrub. Since it’s native, it’s also highly pest-resistant and helps support local butterfly populations, offering an aesthetic and environmental bonus.

4. Firebush (Hamelia patens)

If you want to add some color to your landscaping, Firebush is a terrific plant for South Florida. Its bright red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and it’s extremely low-maintenance. Prune it back once a year to control its size, and let it thrive in the full sunshine of Florida’s year-round warmth.

5. Liriope (Lilyturf)

Perfect for walkways and pavers, Liriope is a hardy groundcover that looks almost like ornamental grass. It’s drought-tolerant, grows in clumps, and produces delicate purple flower spikes in the spring and summer. Use Liriope to line pathways, border patios, or edge flower beds for a manicured appearance without any fuss.

6. Society Garlic

With fragrant, light purple blooms and slender green leaves, Society Garlic isn’t just pretty—it’s practical. This drought-tolerant plant naturally repels pests and requires little more than sunlight and occasional water. It’s great around pool decks or seating areas because the scent keeps mosquitoes away without needing chemicals.

7. Muhly Grass

For movement and texture in your landscaping, nothing beats Florida-native Muhly Grass. This ornamental grass produces airy pink plumes in the fall and requires very little attention. It works beautifully in mass plantings and pairs well with pavers for a modern, stylish look.

Bonus Tip: Use Native Plants

Indigenous plants are always a smart choice for low-maintenance Florida landscaping. These species have adapted to the local soil, climate, and pest population, which means they will thrive with minimal input. Pairing natives like Saw Palmetto, Silver Buttonwood, and Simpson Stopper with decorative stonework or pavers gives rental properties a Floridian charm that is both sustainable and eye-catching.

Make It Tenant-Proof

One of the most effective ways to “tenant-proof” your landscaping is to use drip irrigation systems paired with mulch beds. Installing a professional irrigation system with timers ensures that watering is consistent and efficient. Mulch not only makes the beds look tidy but also retains moisture and reduces weed growth.

At Horseman’s Landscaping, we specialize in designing professional low-maintenance yards that combine native plants, high-quality mulch, attractive hardscapes, and efficient irrigation—perfect for busy rental properties.

Complement with Pavers for Low Upkeep and Style

Low-maintenance doesn’t stop at plants. If you truly want to reduce yard care and boost your property’s visual appeal, consider upgrading with custom pavers. Whether it’s a backyard seating area, a front walkway, or a driveway, pavers provide a polished, clean look with minimal maintenance needs.

Unlike poured concrete, pavers don’t crack as easily in Florida’s shifting soils and are easy to replace if stained or damaged. They also pair seamlessly with many of the tropical plants on this list.

To explore more about how pavers can enhance your property, see our page on driveway paver installation.

Why Professional Landscape Design Makes a Difference

Choosing the right plants is just the beginning. A truly low-maintenance yard is rooted in good design, proper irrigation, and smart soil management. At Horseman’s Landscaping, we help landlords and property managers across South Florida develop landscaping plans that work for them—not the other way around.

From planning and planting to pavers and pressure washing, our landscape professionals deliver results that boost curb appeal and reduce ongoing costs. We serve homeowners, property managers, and HOAs in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties, and we understand the local climate, codes, and soil issues better than anyone.

If you’re ready to improve your rental home with stress-free landscaping that looks great year-round, contact Horseman’s Landscaping today to schedule a consultation with one of our design experts.

Let us help you turn your property into a beautiful, low-maintenance asset tenants love—and you don’t have to worry about.