Green Thumb on the Forgotten Coast: What to Plant Now and Why Your Yard Matters More Than You Think When Selling
Living on Florida’s Forgotten Coast means your outdoor space is part of the lifestyle. From Mexico Beach to Port St. Joe and over toward Apalachicola, gardens and yards aren’t just purely decorative; they’re extensions of the home. With the right in-season plants and a little planning, coastal landscaping can look beautiful year-round and quietly add real value to your property.
For homeowners who love to spend their time in the garden, and especially for those who may sell in the next year or two, understanding what thrives here and why it matters is worth paying attention to.
What Will Grow Well Right Now on the Forgotten Coast?
Because the Forgotten Coast sits in North Florida, the growing calendar looks a little different than Central or South Florida. Late winter into early spring is ideal for cool-season color and vegetables that prefer mild temperatures. This is a good time for flowers such as pansies, violas, petunias, snapdragons, dianthus, and alyssum, which bring color without struggling in cooler nights. Camellias are another strong choice this time of year, offering structure and seasonal blooms that feel established rather than fleeting.
On the other hand, edible gardens also do well right now. Cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and Irish potatoes perform reliably during this window. These plants take advantage of the cooler weather and can be productive before summer heat ramps up. As spring approaches, gardeners can start planning for frost-sensitive vegetables, but for now, hardy crops are the focus.
When You Garden the Coast, You Handle Salt, Wind, and Sand
What separates successful Forgotten Coast gardens from frustrating ones is their plant choice. Proximity to the Gulf means dealing with salt spray, sandy soil, and persistent wind, which can be unforgiving to plants that aren’t built for it. Homes closer to the water benefit from choosing plants that naturally tolerate coastal conditions rather than fighting them. Beach sunflower and gaillardia provide reliable color while handling salt exposure. Groundcovers like railroad vine and gopher apple spread easily, helping to stabilize sandy soil and reduce erosion. For texture and movement, grasses such as muhly grass and sea oats fit wonderfully into coastal landscapes and hold up well in wind. When it comes to shrubs and trees, live oaks, southern red cedar, cabbage palms, saw palmetto, and waxmyrtle offer some structure, shade, and long-term durability. Homes located near dunes or beachfront areas often rely on native dune plants that are well-adapted to Northwest Florida’s coastal environment. These choices not only survive but often thrive, creating landscapes that feel natural rather than forced.
How Does Landscaping Influence Home Value?
Landscaping does more than make a home look nice; it changes how buyers perceive the entire property. Research shows that well-designed and well-maintained landscaping can increase perceived home value by roughly 5 to 12 percent compared to homes with minimal or average outdoor spaces. Buyers subconsciously associate healthy landscaping with overall care and maintenance, which can influence how confident they feel making an offer.
Curb appeal also plays a big role in attracting buyers in the first place. Nearly all real estate professionals agree that a home’s exterior heavily affects buyer interest, often before anyone steps inside. On the Forgotten Coast, where outdoor living is part of the appeal, the yard carries even more weight.
Why Should Sellers Pay Attention Sooner Rather Than Later?
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is waiting too long to think about landscaping. Coastal plants take time to establish, and yards look their best when they feel settled, not freshly installed. Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers tend to add more value as they mature, which means early planning pays off.
On the Forgotten Coast, buyers aren’t just buying a house; they’re buying an outdoor lifestyle. A yard that already looks healthy, intentional, and low-maintenance sends a powerful message that the home has been well cared for and is ready to enjoy.
“Buyers form opinions about a home the moment they pull up, especially in coastal areas. When the landscaping looks established and healthy, it immediately builds trust. Homes with salt-tolerant, thriving plants tend to photograph better and feel more move-in ready, which can make a noticeable difference during showings.” –Todd Blair, Owner/Broker
Ready to Invest in Your Home’s Yard and Get Your Green Thumb On?
For homeowners with a green thumb on the Forgotten Coast, gardening is more than a hobby; it’s an opportunity. Planting cool-season color now, choosing vegetables that thrive in mild weather, and designing landscapes that respect coastal conditions can create outdoor spaces that look great and work hard. If selling is even a possibility down the road, treating landscaping as a long-term value strategy rather than a last-minute task can pay off. In coastal markets, especially, first impressions matter, and a yard that thrives tells buyers they’re stepping into a home that’s been truly cared for. Trust the real estate professionals at Coastal Realty to guide you in finding and settling down in the home of your dreams in the many scenic coastal neighborhoods that make up the Forgotten Coast of Florida, today.