Florida’s diverse climate zones, ranging from subtropical in the north to nearly tropical in the south, create a unique agricultural landscape. This environmental gradient allows for the cultivation of a broad spectrum of fruits, from cold-tolerant deciduous crops to heat-loving exotics. The state’s climate supports a robust fruit industry, providing fresh produce across different seasons and contributing significantly to the nation’s supply.
Florida’s Signature Citrus Crop
Citrus production has historically defined Florida’s agricultural identity, thriving in the warm, sunny conditions of the central and southern regions. The primary citrus zone benefits from well-drained, sandy soils and a low probability of frost, which is essential for fruit quality. Although the industry faces challenges like citrus greening, cultivating specific varieties remains a major focus.
Florida oranges are broadly categorized by their harvest season, which runs from October through June. Early- and mid-season varieties, such as the Hamlin and Navel oranges, are typically available from the fall into the winter months. The Valencia orange, prized for its high juice content, is a late-season crop generally harvested from March through June.
Grapefruit is another iconic Florida fruit, with the Ruby Red variety highly favored for its rich color and sweet-tart flavor. Grapefruit and tangerines, a smaller, easier-to-peel Mandarin hybrid, share a similar extended season, available from late autumn well into the spring. Tangelos, such as the bell-shaped Honeybell, are a distinctive hybrid offering a limited, intensely sweet seasonal treat in January and February.
Diverse Subtropical and Exotic Varieties
South Florida, particularly the Miami-Dade and Homestead areas, boasts a near-tropical climate suitable for a wide array of exotic, non-citrus fruits. These regions experience minimal to no frost, allowing tender tropical species to flourish year-round. This microclimate supports commercial production of fruits rarely grown elsewhere in the continental US.
Mangoes are one of the most prominent tropical crops, with a harvest season extending from May through October. The fruit requires sustained high temperatures to develop its sweet flavor and vibrant color. Avocados are also extensively grown in South Florida; popular varieties are typically larger and remain green-skinned as they ripen, contrasting with the smaller types grown in California.
Other exotic selections include the seasonal lychee, a small fruit with translucent flesh and floral fragrance, harvested from mid-May to early July. Starfruit, or carambola, is a tropical fruit with a waxy, edible rind and a distinct star shape when sliced, offering nearly year-round availability. Guava and passion fruit are also cultivated in southern Florida.
Important Seasonal and Temperate Crops
Florida’s mild winter temperatures allow it to become a significant producer of temperate fruits during the cooler months. These crops take advantage of sunny days and cool nights from late fall through early spring, filling a market gap when growing is impossible in colder climates.
Strawberries are a prime example, with fields in the Plant City area yielding fruit primarily from December through May. This winter-to-spring harvest positions Florida as a major source of fresh strawberries for the Eastern US during the off-season. Similarly, blueberries are cultivated for an early spring harvest, often beginning in March and extending into May.
Deciduous stone fruits, specifically peaches and plums, are successfully grown using specialized low-chill cultivars developed by the University of Florida. These varieties require a minimal number of “chill hours” (hours below 45°F) to break dormancy, a requirement standard varieties cannot meet in the mild Florida winter. Cultivars like ‘TropicBeauty’ and ‘UFBest’ peaches ripen exceptionally early, often in April and May, providing fruit before major harvests in other southeastern states. Plums from the ‘Gulf’ series are also bred to adapt to the state’s low-chill environment, providing a localized supply of fresh deciduous fruit in the late spring.