Native Plant List for Puerto Rico
Last updated: November 13, 2026
This is a "starter" list of native plants for Puerto Rico. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes. Puerto Rico is frost-free, roughly USDA zones 11–13 from the mountain tops to the coast, so rainfall, not cold, decides what grows where. The south coast lies in the rain shadow of the Cordillera Central; its dry forest and coastal scrub, as at Guánica, suit guayacán, cacti and other drought-tolerant plants. The north coast and the haystack limestone (karst) hills of the northwest are moist lowland forest. The Luquillo Mountains of El Yunque and the high Cordillera Central hold rain forest and cloud forest, where tree ferns, sierra palms and bromeliads thrive. Soils run from beach sand and mangrove muck on the coast, to thin, alkaline soil over limestone in the karst and the dry southwest, to deep, acidic clays weathered from volcanic rock in the interior, so match the plant to your rainfall and soil as well as to your sun.
How to Read This List
The Habitat column shows the main habitats where each plant grows wild in Puerto Rico: C = coastal and dry lowlands (beaches, mangroves, the dry south coast and offshore islands), M = moist lowlands and limestone karst hills, R = rain forest and mountain forest (El Yunque and the Cordillera Central). C+M and M+R mean the plant is found in both. Sun, soil moisture and height codes are explained in the Legend table at the bottom of the page. Spanish names used in Puerto Rico are given in the Comments column. Every plant here is listed as native to Puerto Rico by USDA PLANTS, and the flowering plants are also recorded as native in the Smithsonian’s Catalogue of Seed Plants of the West Indies. Plants marked Endangered or Threatened are federally listed; buy them only as nursery-grown plants and never dig them from the wild.
See Also:
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Benefits of Planting Native Ferns for Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Gardens
Plant That Looks Like the Top of a Pineapple: A Guide to Bromeliads
How to Care for Air Plants: A Comprehensive Guide
Pollinator Garden Design Basics for Creating Vibrant, Wildlife-Friendly Landscapes
Puerto Rico Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage Bark | Andira inermis | F | W-A | 30-60 ft | M | Moca; pink-purple flower clusters; bats eat the fruit |
| Black Mangrove | Avicennia germinans | F | W | 10-40 ft | C | Mangle negro; breathing roots; salt-crusted leaves |
| Black Olive | Bucida buceras | F | A-D | 30-60 ft | C+M | Úcar; dense shade tree; salt-tolerant |
| Gumbo Limbo | Bursera simaruba | F | A-D | 25-50 ft | C+M | Almácigo; red peeling bark; grows from cuttings |
| Santa María | Calophyllum antillanum | F-P | A | 30-60 ft | C+M | María; glossy leaves; windbreak; salt-tolerant |
| Trumpet Tree | Cecropia schreberiana | F | A | 30-60 ft | M+R | Yagrumo hembra; fast pioneer; silver leaf undersides |
| Spanish Cedar | Cedrela odorata | F | A-D | 50-80 ft | M | Cedro hembra; aromatic timber; fast growing |
| Ceiba | Ceiba pentandra | F | A-D | 60-100 ft | C+M | Ceiba; huge buttressed trunk; kapok-filled seed pods |
| Fiddlewood | Citharexylum spinosum | F-P | A-D | 15-30 ft | C+M | Péndula; fragrant white flowers; butterflies |
| Pitch Apple | Clusia rosea | F-P | A-D | 20-40 ft | C+M | Cupey; thick leaves; pink-white flowers; tough |
| Pigeon Plum | Coccoloba diversifolia | F-P | A-D | 20-40 ft | C+M | Uvilla; edible fruit; tidy coastal street tree |
| Moralón | Coccoloba pubescens | F-P | A-D | 30-60 ft | M | Moralón; huge round leaves; limestone hills |
| Sea Grape | Coccoloba uvifera | F | A-D | 10-30 ft | C | Uva de playa; salt-tolerant; edible grapes |
| Buttonwood | Conocarpus erectus | F | W-A-D | 10-30 ft | C | Mangle botón; salt-tolerant; silver form popular |
| Capá Prieto | Cordia alliodora | F | A | 40-70 ft | M | Capá prieto; fine timber; white flower clusters |
| Palo de Nigua | Cornutia obovata | F-P | A | 20-30 ft | M | Nigua; Endangered; buy nursery-grown; purple spikes |
| Calabash Tree | Crescentia cujete | F | A-D | 15-30 ft | C+M | Higüero; gourds used for maracas and bowls |
| Tabonuco | Dacryodes excelsa | F-P | W-A | 60-100 ft | R | Tabonuco; dominant tree of El Yunque's lower slopes; resin |
| Shortleaf Fig | Ficus citrifolia | F-P | A | 30-50 ft | C+M | Jagüey; strangler fig; figs feed many birds |
| Genipap | Genipa americana | F | W-A | 30-60 ft | M | Jagua; fruit juice makes a blue-black Taíno dye |
| Lignum Vitae | Guaiacum officinale | F | D | 15-30 ft | C | Guayacán; blue flowers, orange seeds; very slow |
| Holywood Lignum Vitae | Guaiacum sanctum | F | D | 15-25 ft | C | Guayacán blanco; purple flowers; dry south coast |
| Muskwood | Guarea guidonia | F-P | A | 40-80 ft | M | Guaraguao; common shade tree; red seeds |
| West Indian Locust | Hymenaea courbaril | F | A-D | 40-80 ft | M | Algarrobo; edible pod pulp; very hard wood |
| West Indian Walnut | Juglans jamaicensis | F-P | A | 40-80 ft | R | Nogal; Endangered; buy nursery-grown |
| White Mangrove | Laguncularia racemosa | F | W | 15-40 ft | C | Mangle blanco; landward edge of the mangrove |
| Laurel Sabino | Magnolia splendens | P | W-A | 40-80 ft | R | Laurel sabino; endemic magnolia; Luquillo Mountains |
| Mammee Apple | Mammea americana | F | A | 40-60 ft | M | Mamey; large edible fruit; dense crown |
| Ausubo | Manilkara bidentata | F-P | A | 50-100 ft | M+R | Ausubo; very hard timber; edible fruit |
| Palo de Rosa | Ottoschulzia rhodoxylon | P | A | 20-40 ft | M | Palo de rosa; Endangered; buy nursery-grown |
| Capá Blanco | Petitia domingensis | F | A-D | 30-50 ft | C+M | Capá blanco; durable timber; dry and moist forests |
| Frangipani | Plumeria alba | F | D | 10-25 ft | C | Alelí; fragrant white flowers; dry rocky coasts |
| West Indian Cherry | Prunus myrtifolia | F-P | A | 20-40 ft | M+R | Fragrant white flowers; dark fruit for birds |
| Bloodwood | Pterocarpus officinalis | F-P | W | 50-80 ft | C | Palo de pollo; swamp forest tree; buttress roots |
| Red Mangrove | Rhizophora mangle | F | W | 10-30 ft | C | Mangle colorado; prop roots; shoreline nursery habitat |
| Mastic | Sideroxylon foetidissimum | F-P | A-D | 40-70 ft | C+M | Tortugo amarillo; hard timber; fruit for birds |
| Hog Plum | Spondias mombin | F | A | 40-60 ft | M | Jobo; tart yellow fruit; roots from cut poles |
| Cóbana Negra | Stahlia monosperma | F | W | 30-50 ft | C | Cóbana negra; Threatened; buy nursery-grown |
| Pink Trumpet Tree | Tabebuia heterophylla | F | A-D | 20-50 ft | C+M | Roble blanco; pink to white trumpet flowers |
| Maga | Thespesia grandiflora | F-P | A | 25-50 ft | M | Maga; PR endemic; flor de maga is a symbol of PR; red blooms |
Puerto Rico Palms
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corozo Palm | Acrocomia media | F | A-D | 25-40 ft | C+M | Corozo; spiny trunk and leaves; edible nuts |
| Manaca Palm | Calyptronoma rivalis | F-P | W | 20-40 ft | M | Palma de manaca; Threatened; buy nursery-grown |
| Puerto Rico Silver Palm | Coccothrinax barbadensis | F | D | 15-30 ft | C+M | Silver fan undersides; salt-tolerant; slow |
| Palma de Lluvia | Gaussia attenuata | F | A-D | 40-60 ft | M | Llume; tall slender palm of the karst hills |
| Key Thatch Palm | Leucothrinax morrisii | F | D | 10-25 ft | C | Palma de escoba; small fan palm; limestone |
| Sierra Palm | Prestoea acuminata var. montana | P | W | 20-50 ft | R | Palma de sierra; dominant palm on El Yunque slopes |
| Puerto Rico Royal Palm | Roystonea borinquena | F | W-A | 50-80 ft | C+M | Palma real; tall grey trunk; native street palm |
| Puerto Rico Hat Palm | Sabal causiarum | F | A-D | 30-50 ft | C | Palma de sombrero; thick trunk; leaves for hats |
Puerto Rico Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corita | Agave missionum | F | D | 4-20 ft | C | Maguey; tall flower stalk; dry coastal rock |
| Marlberry | Ardisia obovata | P-S | A | 6-15 ft | M+R | Mameyuelo; pink flower clusters; purple fruit |
| Sea Oxeye | Borrichia arborescens | F | W-A-D | 2-4 ft | C | Clavelón de playa; yellow daisies; salt marsh edge |
| Vega Blanca | Brunfelsia lactea | P | A | 6-15 ft | M+R | Vega blanca; PR endemic; night-fragrant white flowers |
| Locustberry | Byrsonima lucida | F | D | 6-15 ft | C | Sangre de doncella; pink to red flowers |
| Caparosa | Callicarpa ampla | P | A | 10-25 ft | R | Caparrosa; Endangered; buy nursery-grown |
| Cocoplum | Chrysobalanus icaco | F-P | W-A-D | 5-15 ft | C | Icaco; edible plums; hedges; salt-tolerant |
| Maidenberry | Crossopetalum rhacoma | F | D | 3-10 ft | C | Maravedí; red berries; dry coastal thickets |
| Golden Dewdrop | Duranta erecta | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft | C+M | Lila; violet flowers; gold berries toxic to people |
| Black Torch | Erithalis fruticosa | F | D | 3-10 ft | C | Jayabico; fragrant white flowers; coastal rock |
| Beach Creeper | Ernodea littoralis | F | D | 1-3 ft | C | Dune groundcover; yellow-orange fruit |
| White Stopper | Eugenia axillaris | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft | C+M | Grajo; musky-scented leaves; birds eat fruit |
| Spanish Stopper | Eugenia foetida | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft | C+M | Small white flowers; fruit for birds; hedges |
| Matabuey | Goetzea elegans | P | A | 10-25 ft | M | Mata buey; Endangered; buy nursery-grown |
| Firebush | Hamelia patens | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft | C+M | Bálsamo; red tubular flowers; hummingbirds |
| Puerto Rico Applecactus | Harrisia portoricensis | F | D | 3-10 ft | C | Higo chumbo; Threatened; buy nursery-grown |
| Barbasco | Jacquinia arborea | F | D | 6-15 ft | C | Barbasco; orange-red fruit; salt-spray tolerant |
| Buttonsage | Lantana involucrata | F | D | 3-6 ft | C | Cariaquillo; white-lilac flowers; butterflies |
| Turk's Cap Cactus | Melocactus intortus | F | D | 1-3 ft | C | Melón de costa; red flower cap; dry coasts |
| Twinberry | Myrcianthes fragrans | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft | C+M | Guayabacón; aromatic; peeling bark; birds |
| Dildo Cactus | Pilosocereus royenii | F | D | 10-20 ft | C | Sebucán; columnar cactus; dry south coast |
| Catclaw Blackbead | Pithecellobium unguis-cati | F | A-D | 6-15 ft | C | Uña de gato; thorny; fragrant flowers |
| Wild Coffee | Psychotria nervosa | P-S | A | 3-8 ft | M | Palo moro; glossy leaves; red berries for birds |
| Jamaica Caper | Quadrella cynophallophora | F-P | D | 6-15 ft | C | Showy purple stamens; dry coastal forest |
| Indigo Berry | Randia aculeata | F-P | A-D | 4-10 ft | C+M | Palo de cotorra; thorny; fragrant white flowers |
| Beachberry | Scaevola plumieri | F | D | 2-5 ft | C | Borbón; dune builder; black fruit |
| Retama Prieta | Senna polyphylla | F | D | 4-10 ft | C | Retama prieta; yellow flowers; dry-forest shrub |
| Necklace Pod | Sophora tomentosa | F | D | 4-8 ft | C | Yellow flower spikes; beaded pods; beach dunes |
| Bay Cedar | Suriana maritima | F | D | 3-10 ft | C | Temporana; beach-dune shrub; very salt-tolerant |
| Roble Cimarrón | Tabebuia haemantha | F | A-D | 6-20 ft | M | Roble colorado; PR endemic; red trumpet flowers |
| Sea Rosemary | Tournefortia gnaphalodes | F | D | 2-6 ft | C | Silvery leaves; first-line dune shrub |
| Puerto Rico Coontie | Zamia portoricensis | F-P | D | 1-3 ft | C | Marunguey; PR endemic cycad; toxic seeds |
Puerto Rico Flowering Perennials & Wildflowers
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scalloped Anthurium | Anthurium crenatum | P-S | A | 1-3 ft | C+M | Native anthurium; on rocks and trees; red berries |
| Native Begonia | Begonia decandra | P-S | W-A | 1-3 ft | R | Begonia de sierra; PR endemic; white-pink flowers |
| Spanish Needles | Bidens alba | F-P | A-D | 1-4 ft | C+M | Nectar for many pollinators; self-seeds freely |
| Árbol de Navidad | Gesneria pedunculosa | P-S | W-A | 2-6 ft | R | PR endemic; green-yellow bell flowers; moist banks |
| Wild Plantain | Heliconia bihai | F-P | W-A | 5-12 ft | M+R | Red-and-green bracts; hummingbirds |
| Caribbean Heliconia | Heliconia caribaea | F-P | W-A | 8-15 ft | M+R | Guineo cimarrón; red or yellow bracts; hummingbirds |
| Seaside Heliotrope | Heliotropium curassavicum | F | W-A-D | 0.5-1 ft | C | Cotorrera de playa; succulent; salt flats |
| Dotleaf Waterlily | Nymphaea ampla | F | W | Floating | C+M | Flor de agua; white flowers; ponds |
| Baby Rubberplant | Peperomia obtusifolia | P-S | A | 0.5-1 ft | M+R | Thick glossy leaves; on rocks or trees |
| Rougeplant | Rivina humilis | P-S | A-D | 1-3 ft | C+M | Carmín; red berries; shade groundcover |
| Scarlet Sage | Salvia coccinea | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | C+M | Moradilla colorada; red flowers; hummingbirds |
| Shoreline Seapurslane | Sesuvium portulacastrum | F | W-A-D | 0.5-1 ft | C | Verdolaga rosada; succulent beach groundcover |
| Blue Porterweed | Stachytarpheta jamaicensis | F | A-D | 1-3 ft | C+M | Verbena; blue flowers; butterflies |
| Alligator Flag | Thalia geniculata | F-P | W | 4-8 ft | C+M | Purple flowers on arching stems; marsh edges |
| Puerto Rico Zephyrlily | Zephyranthes puertoricensis | F | A | 0.5-1 ft | C+M | Duende blanco; white blooms after rain |
Puerto Rico Grasses & Sedges
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushy Bluestem | Andropogon glomeratus | F | W-A | 2-4 ft | C+M | Yerba barbuda; fluffy seed heads |
| Sawgrass | Cladium jamaicense | F | W | 3-8 ft | C | Cortadora de ciénaga; marsh sedge; sharp leaf edges |
| Knotted Spikerush | Eleocharis interstincta | F | W | 2-4 ft | C+M | Junco de ciénaga; jointed stems; ponds and marshes |
| Wild Cane | Gynerium sagittatum | F | W | 10-20 ft | M | Caña brava; huge plumes; riverbanks |
| Smallcane | Lasiacis divaricata | P-S | A | 3-10 ft | C+M | Pito; bamboo-like; black seeds for birds |
| Basketgrass | Oplismenus hirtellus | S | A | 0.5-1 ft | M+R | Yerba de maleza; shade groundcover grass |
| Seashore Paspalum | Paspalum vaginatum | F | W-A | 0.5-1 ft | C | Salt-tolerant turf grass |
| Starrush Whitetop | Rhynchospora colorata | F | W | 1-2 ft | C+M | White-bract sedge; wet soils |
| Seashore Dropseed | Sporobolus virginicus | F | W-A-D | 1-2 ft | C | Matojo de playa; beach and salt flats |
Puerto Rico Ferns
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Leather Fern | Acrostichum aureum | F | W | 3-8 ft | C | Brackish wetlands; tolerates salt |
| Giant Leather Fern | Acrostichum danaeifolium | F-P | W | 6-12 ft | C | Mangrove and marsh fern; huge fronds |
| Fan Maidenhair | Adiantum tenerum | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | M | Culantrillo; on moist limestone |
| Wild Birdnest Fern | Asplenium serratum | S | W-A | 1-3 ft | R | Strap fronds in a vase; rain forest |
| Hammock Fern | Blechnum occidentale | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | M+R | Pink new fronds; banks and walls |
| Long Strap Fern | Campyloneurum phyllitidis | P-S | A | 1-3 ft | M+R | Strap fronds; epiphytic or on rock |
| West Indian Tree Fern | Cyathea arborea | F-P | W-A | 15-30 ft | R | Helecho gigante; tall tree fern; roadsides and El Yunque |
| Spiny Tree Fern | Cyathea horrida | P-S | W-A | 6-15 ft | R | Helecho arborescente; spiny trunk; rain forest |
| Puerto Rico Tree Fern | Cyathea portoricensis | P | W-A | 10-20 ft | R | Helecho arborescente; mountain forests |
| Giant Sword Fern | Nephrolepis biserrata | P-S | W-A | 2-6 ft | C+M | Large arching fronds; groundcover |
| Boston Fern | Nephrolepis exaltata | P-S | A | 1-3 ft | C+M | Arching fronds; containers or beds |
| Golden Polypody | Phlebodium aureum | P | A | 2-4 ft | M+R | Calaguala; blue-green fronds; epiphyte or ground |
| Whisk Fern | Psilotum nudum | P | A-D | 0.5-1 ft | C+M | Leafless green stems; rock crevices |
| Broad Halberd Fern | Tectaria heracleifolia | S | A | 1-3 ft | M | Broad fronds; shady limestone |
Puerto Rico Vines
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baybean | Canavalia rosea | F | D | Climbing | C | Pink pea flowers; beach dunes |
| Spurred Butterfly Pea | Centrosema virginianum | F | A-D | Climbing | C+M | Flor de conchitas; lavender pea flowers |
| Possum Grape | Cissus verticillata | F-P | A | Climbing | C+M | Bejuco de caro; hanging aerial roots; fast |
| Beach Morning Glory | Ipomoea pes-caprae | F | D | Climbing | C | Bejuco de playa; pink flowers; dune binder |
| Beach Moonflower | Ipomoea violacea | F | A-D | Climbing | C | Flor de luna; white night flowers; coastal |
| Skyblue Clustervine | Jacquemontia pentanthos | F | D | Climbing | C | Aguinaldo azul; small blue flowers; coastal |
| Red Passionflower | Passiflora rubra | P | A | Climbing | M | Flor de pasión; cream flowers; red fruit |
| Corkystem Passionflower | Passiflora suberosa | F-P | A-D | Climbing | C+M | Flor de pasión; small flowers; butterfly host |
| Wild Allamanda | Pentalinon luteum | F | A-D | Climbing | C | Babeiro amarillo; yellow trumpets; toxic sap |
| Giant Philodendron | Philodendron giganteum | P-S | W-A | Climbing | M+R | Yautía cimarrona; giant leaves; climbs trees |
| Rubbervine | Rhabdadenia biflora | F | W | Climbing | C | Pink-white flowers; mangrove edges |
| Bejuco de Sopla | Securidaca virgata | F | A-D | Climbing | C+M | Jaboncillo; pink-purple pea-like flowers |
| Monarch Amazonvine | Stigmaphyllon emarginatum | F | A-D | Climbing | C+M | Bejuco de San Pedro; yellow flowers |
Puerto Rico Bromeliads & Orchids
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Habitat | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Vase | Aechmea nudicaulis | P | A | 1-2 ft | M+R | Bromeliad; red bracts, yellow flowers; tough |
| Daddy Longlegs Orchid | Brassavola cucullata | P | A | 1 ft | M | Orchid; long white petals; night fragrance |
| Pinguin | Bromelia pinguin | F | D | 2-4 ft | C | Maya; spiny hedges; red center; edible fruit |
| Cowhorn Orchid | Cyrtopodium punctatum | F | D | 2-4 ft | C+M | Cañuela; yellow-red flowers; huge pseudobulbs |
| Fringed Star Orchid | Epidendrum ciliare | F-P | A | 1-2 ft | M | Orchid; fringed white lip; night-fragrant |
| Pirigallo | Guzmania berteroniana | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | R | Bromeliad; red flower spike; rain forest epiphyte |
| West Indian Tufted Airplant | Guzmania monostachia | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | M+R | Bromeliad; white-tipped orange spike; epiphyte |
| Antilles Hohenbergia | Hohenbergia antillana | F-P | D | 2-4 ft | M | Bromeliad; on karst rock and trees |
| Delicate Violet Orchid | Ionopsis utricularioides | F-P | A | 0.5 ft | M | Angelitos; sprays of lilac flowers; twig epiphyte |
| Piña Cortadora | Pitcairnia angustifolia | F-P | D | 1-3 ft | C+M | Bromeliad; red flowers; on rocks and cliffs |
| Clamshell Orchid | Prosthechea cochleata | P | A | 1-2 ft | M+R | Orquídea negra; dark purple clamshell lip |
| Kraenzlin's Peacock Orchid | Psychilis kraenzlinii | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | C+M | Orchid; PR endemic; magenta flowers; on rocks |
| Wallflower Orchid | Tetramicra canaliculata | F | D | 0.5-1 ft | C | Orchid; pink flowers; coastal rocks |
| Cardinal Airplant | Tillandsia fasciculata | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | C+M | Bromeliad; red-orange bracts; epiphyte |
| Spanish Moss | Tillandsia usneoides | F-P | A | 1-6 ft | M+R | Barbas de úcar; hanging grey strands |
| Spreading Airplant | Tillandsia utriculata | F-P | D | 1-3 ft | C+M | Bromeliad; large rosette; epiphyte on trees |
| Dancing-lady Orchid | Tolumnia variegata | F-P | A | 0.5 ft | C+M | Angelitos; pink-white flowers; twig epiphyte |
| Leafless Vanilla | Vanilla barbellata | F-P | D | Climbing | C | Orchid; leafless vine; white-and-red flowers |
| Sintenis Vriesea | Vriesea sintenisii | P | A | 1-2 ft | R | Bromeliad; flat flower spike; mountain forests |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
Featured photo: Maga flower (Thespesia grandiflora) by Jose Oquendo, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
