Zone 10a | USDA Hardiness
August may feel like the least likely month to plant anything in Florida—scorching sun, wild rainstorms, and bugs galore—but believe it or not, this is actually a powerful planting window, especially for medicinal herbs and fall garden prep.
Whether you’re looking to create a home apothecary, get a head start on your fall veggies, or just want more beauty and bounty in your yard, here’s what you can (and should!) be planting right now in Zone 10a – Central Florida.
Farmer’s Almanac August 2025: Best Planting Days by the Moon
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, planting by the moon can enhance your success, especially with root and vine crops.
August 10–11: Best for vine crops (cucumbers, beans, peas); also good for transplanting and root crops.
August 18–19: Great for seedbeds, flowers, and transplanting—especially root vegetables.
August 27–29: Ideal for aboveground crops like tomatoes, peppers, and peas.
Try aligning your planting with these lunar windows for an extra boost of garden magic.
Best Medicinal Herbs to Plant Outdoors Now in Central Florida
These heat-loving, high-humidity tolerant herbs are thriving right now in raised beds, garden borders, or containers:
| Herb | Uses & Notes |
|---|---|
| Tulsi (Holy Basil) | Calming adaptogen; perfect for teas and tinctures; thrives in heat |
| Gotu Kola | Brain, skin, and circulation tonic; loves moist, shady garden spots |
| Lemongrass | Great digestive aid and aromatic herb; thrives in full sun |
| Aloe Vera | Soothing gel for burns and bites; prefers sandy, well-drained soil |
| Spilanthes (Toothache Plant) | Fun and fast-growing; immune support; try fresh in tinctures |
| Cuban Oregano | Bold and pungent; useful for coughs and colds; hardy and heat-loving |
| Mexican Tarragon | Digestive, antimicrobial, and floral; grows beautifully in Florida summers |
| Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) | Tart tea calyces; start now for a fall harvest |
| Yarrow | Skin healing and circulatory support; plant from starts or root divisions |
Start These Herbs in Pots Now for Fall Transplanting
Some herbs just don’t love the summer sun—but you can still start them now indoors or in the shade:
| Herb | Uses & Notes |
|---|---|
| Chamomile | Soothing tea herb; plant in seed trays for transplanting in cooler months |
| Calendula | Anti-inflammatory, skin-healing flowers; start now, transplant in fall |
| Skullcap | Nervine tonic; prefers shade and rich soil |
| Ashwagandha | Adaptogen for stress and sleep; drought-tolerant, happy in sandy soil |
| Passionflower | Sedative and antispasmodic; plant from root cuttings or pots now |
Better to Wait: Herbs to Plant When Temperatures Cool
Save these until late September or October, when Florida’s weather becomes milder and more forgiving.
| Herb | Why Wait |
|---|---|
| Valerian | Needs cooler, moist soil—too stressful in summer |
| Lavender | Dislikes Florida humidity; best started in winter or late fall |
| Echinacea | Can be started now, but does better with fall or early spring starts |
| Peppermint/Mint | Scorches in heat; thrives in cooler, wetter months |
Vegetables & Flowers to Plant This Month (According to UF & More)
Even outside the apothecary, you’ve got plenty to grow in August:
Vegetables (per Gardening Know How, Southern Living, UF/IFAS):
| Cool-Season Favorites (start now!) |
|---|
| Beets, radishes, carrots, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips, sugar snap peas, broccoli, kohlrabi, and more! |
Many of these veggies pair beautifully with herbs in companion planting beds. Plant chamomile with cabbage, basil with tomatoes, and calendula around just about anything.
Flowers to Plant Now (per The Spruce, Real Simple):
| Heat-Loving Blooms |
|---|
| Zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, gomphrena, petunias, wax begonias, celosia, impatiens, Mexican petunia, and angelonia |
Want color and medicine in the same bed? Add calendula, chamomile, lavender, or Mexican tarragon—many are both ornamental and healing.
Tips for August Garden Success
Water Early & Deeply: Avoid fungal issues and let plants dry out before nightfall.
Mulch Generously: Helps retain moisture and keeps roots cooler.
Use Shade Cloth: A 40–50% cloth can save delicate herbs from heat stress.
Elevate Beds or Use Containers: Especially helpful for managing drainage during summer storms.
Build a Tincture Garden Combo
If you’re building your DIY apothecary, try grouping these together:
Tulsi + Gotu Kola – stress and cognitive support
Calendula + Chamomile + Spilanthes – skin + immune blend
Ashwagandha + Skullcap – adrenal and nervous system health
Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Florida Summer
With a little guidance and some afternoon shade, you can have a thriving herb and veggie garden even in August. Central Florida’s year-round growing potential means every month is planting season—you just need to know what works when.
And now you do.
Need Help Planning Your Garden?
At Stepping Stone Garden Coach, I specialize in helping beginner gardeners in Florida design and grow beautiful, bountiful spaces—whether that means a medicinal herb patch, a native pollinator garden, or a raised bed veggie layout.
Book a consultation or call me at 727-259-5994 and I’ll help you grow the calm you crave—one plant at a time.