Last Updated on June 28, 2025 by Homegrown Florida
It’s getting hot out there, and the garden is feeling it. By June, we’re past the peak spring flush, and only the hardiest, most heat-loving crops are happy to get started now. But that doesn’t mean your garden has to shut down. There are still plenty of vegetables that can handle the heat; some that even thrive in it and June is the time to get them going before the brutal midsummer sun takes over completely.
Here’s what I’m still planting in my June Florida garden, and what you can get growing too. These crops are tough enough for Florida summers and well worth the space they take up.
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Tropical Greens That Don’t Quit
Some of my favorite greens to grow this time of year aren’t your typical grocery store varieties. They’re tropical powerhouses that were made for our hot and humid summers.
Start with the spinaches. Not the soft lettuces or baby greens we love in fall and winter, those are long gone. But the tropical spinaches like longevity spinach, Okinawa spinach, and Malabar spinach? They’re thriving. I also love Egyptian spinach and sissoo. Each one has a different texture and flavor, so it’s worth trying a few to see what you like.
The hibiscus family is another winner. Cranberry hibiscus brings that tart, lemony flavor with gorgeous red leaves. Shortleaf hibiscus and Turks cap can also be edible, but not all hibiscus types are, so double check before snacking on them.
Chaya is another standout. It grows like a small tree, provides a huge amount of greens, and once it’s established, it just keeps going. But heads up, chaya leaves must be cooked before eating. Raw isn’t an option with this one. I haven’t eaten much of it myself yet, but it’s on my radar for anyone looking to be more self-sufficient with their greens.
Swiss chard and amaranth also grow surprisingly well in the heat. Amaranth, in particular, is fascinating because it doubles as a green and a grain. I planted it once years ago, and it still pops up all over my yard every summer.
Squash That Can Handle the Heat
Most summer squash doesn’t like Florida summer, but there are a few that can pull it off, especially the tropical and vining types.
Seminole pumpkin is a staple for a reason. It’s Florida-native, heat-tolerant, and pest-resistant. It might not give you a lot of fruit right away, but if you get it established now and give it a little shade, it’ll explode with flowers once the temperatures mellow out in the fall.
Luffa is another beast. It grows like crazy and doesn’t seem to care how hot it gets. It’s not just a novelty sponge plant either, young luffa can be cooked like zucchini.
Chayote is my personal favorite squash, but it’s tricky here. It’s a perennial vine that’s sensitive to daylight hours, so it doesn’t fruit until fall. I’m still figuring it out in Florida, but I’m hopeful that if I get it to overwinter or regrow from fruit, it’ll become a regular part of my June Florida garden.
Tromboncino squash is another great one. It’s long, curvy, and almost too productive. And if you want something a little more manageable, Tahitian melon squash is smaller and still heat-tolerant.
Root Crops That Thrive in Summer
Florida summers might seem like the wrong time for root vegetables, but there are actually several that love the heat.
Sweet potatoes are the top choice. They grow fast, cover the ground like a living mulch, and come in a bunch of varieties, including white ones that taste a bit more like a traditional potato.
Ginger and turmeric also do well if you give them enough time. I’ve learned that the longer I let them go, the better the harvest, so now I try to let them grow through fall before digging them up.
Some lesser-known options are jicama, which has a crisp, refreshing crunch, and taro, which has beautiful tropical leaves. I’m not wild about the flavor of taro, but I love how it looks, so I actually use it in my front yard landscaping.
Yuca is another root crop that gives a massive harvest, just make sure you have space for it. If you’re not sure about growing it yet, you can usually find it in stores like Publix to taste-test first.
Beans and Legumes That Keep On Giving
Cowpeas are my go-to summer legume. If black-eyed peas aren’t your thing, try different varieties. The Puerto Rican black bean and Whippoorwill cowpeas are two of my favorites. They’re productive, heat-tolerant, and taste more like familiar beans than the mushy ones I grew up avoiding.
Lima beans or butter beans can also work well in the heat, but make sure to pick the right variety. Not all of them are created equal, and the flavor varies more than you’d expect.
Long beans are another great option. I’ve grown Thai soldier beans, but I’m planning to try Chinese noodle beans and red noodle beans this year to see if I can find one I like better than green beans. They’re aggressive growers and love the heat.
Don’t forget peanuts. They’re in the legume family too, and they grow surprisingly well here. Just give them a full season. I’ve had better luck starting them early and letting them go until the plants completely die back. If you harvest too soon, the nuts won’t be fully mature.
Other Unusual Heat-Lovers
Roselle is a stunner in my June Florida garden and in the kitchen. It’s part of the hibiscus family, and it doesn’t flower until daylight hours start to shrink in the fall. That makes June the perfect time to get it growing so it can bulk up before bloom time.
Okra isn’t my favorite to eat, but it earns its spot in my June Florida garden because of how easy it is to grow. If you do like okra, this is its time to shine. It doesn’t take up too much space and just keeps going.
Green onions might surprise you, but they actually do fine through summer, if you give them enough shade to get started. I usually start them in trays under cover, and once they get a few inches tall, I move them out to a shadier spot in the garden.
If you’re looking for even more detailed guidance on growing veggies here in Florida—like when to start seeds, how to manage pests, and what varieties really thrive—don’t forget to check out my ebook! It’s got a chapter for every single vegetable and is packed with everything I’ve learned over the years gardening in Florida.
A Quick Note on Fruit
While most traditional fruit trees shouldn’t be planted in summer, there are a few exceptions. Pineapples, papayas, and passionfruit vines can all go in now. If you already have tropical fruit trees like bananas or avocados, just make sure to keep them watered and fed. They’ll need a little extra love in this heat.
Bananas can still be transplanted, though they’ll struggle a bit more in full sun this time of year. If you do it now, watch the water and try to give them some dappled shade while they settle in.
For anything else, like citrus, stone fruit, or chill-hour types, wait until winter or early spring. You’ll get better results and less transplant shock.
Florida summers are no joke, but that doesn’t mean the garden has to stop. Focus on the crops that were made for this kind of weather, and let them carry your June Florida garden through the heat. June is all about planting smart, letting nature help when it can, and leaning into the plants that love this climate as much as we do. Happy gardening, and stay cool out there.
