Skip to main content
Skip to main content
florida friendly landscaping banner in a yard

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ 

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) is a special program in Florida that helps people learn how to take care of plants and yards in a way that is good for the environment. It teaches ways to use less water and keep Florida’s water clean. Since 1993, FFL has been a team effort between the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

FFL is based on 9 important ideas called the 9 FFL Principles:

1) Right Plant, Right Place

2) Water Efficiently

3) Fertilize Appropriately

4) Mulch

5) Attract Wildlife

6) Manage Yard Pests Responsibly

7) Recycle

8) Reduce Storm Water Runoff 

9) Protect the Waterfront

The overall goal is to reduce pollution through proper fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide use on residential and commercial landscapes.

Florida-Friendly Landscape Recognition

Florida-Friendly Landscape Recognition is a program that honors homeowners in Florida who implement sustainable landscaping practices aimed at conserving water, protecting water quality, and supporting wildlife. The program offers three levels of recognition—Silver, Gold, and Florida-Friendly Natural—each with specific requirements that reflect increasing commitments to environmentally responsible landscaping.

Recognition lasts for three years from the date of approval, after which homeowners must have their landscape reevaluated to ensure ongoing compliance with current Florida-Friendly Landscaping standards, as outlined in the FFL Home Recognition Checklist.

Choosing Florida-Friendly Landscaping allows homeowners to:

  • Showcase their commitment to sustainable practices in Florida’s unique environment

  • Inspire neighbors and community members by setting a visible example

  • Celebrate their efforts to maintain a beautiful, eco-friendly yard

  • Support broader water conservation and habitat protection goals at a community level

Overall, the Florida-Friendly Landscape Recognition program helps spotlight the beauty and environmental benefits of responsible landscaping, encouraging more people to adopt practices that protect Florida’s natural resources. If you’re interested, the program provides guidance on how to participate and maintain your landscape’s recognition status over time.

 

  • Getting Started

    How to Start Your Florida-Friendly Landscaping Journey

    There’s no wrong way to begin! Here are some simple steps you can take to make your yard healthier for your family and the environment.

    • Check out the 3-minute Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ video to get inspired and see what it’s all about.
    • Take the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Pledge. Go to the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping website and sign the pledge to show you care about protecting Florida’s water and nature by making good choices in your yard.
    • Identify your plants. Look at the plants in your yard and try to figure out what they are.
    • Conserve water. Don’t water your yard every day! If you have an irrigation system, turn it off and only water when the grass or plants look dry and really need it.
    • Add mulch. Mulch helps the soil keep moisture and keeps weeds from growing. Put a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around your plants and in your garden beds. Choose mulches like pine, melaleuca, or eucalyptus.
    • Use the Florida-Friendly Landscaping checklist to see how you’re doing. Look for things you can change or improve in your yard.
    • Check the FFL Handbook for Home Landscapes. It is full of helpful tips about the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles. Use the handbook and the checklist together to make your yard better.
    • Focus on the 9 FFL Principles. Remember, the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles are your guide. These will help you create a beautiful, healthy yard that’s good for nature!

    Starting your Florida-Friendly journey is easy and you can begin with any of these steps. Try one today and make a difference!

  • FFL Recognition

    Want to get your yard recognized as Florida-Friendly? Great! Here are the steps:

    1. Complete our brief survey to be added to the list for our annual Florida-Friendly Landscaping training workshop and home inspections.

    2. Walk around your yard and see how your landscape matches the FFL program using one of these checklists:

    3. Take and submit yard photos. Please provide four clear, bright photos—one from each side of your property. 

      • Show your entire yard, including any special areas like rain barrels, flower gardens for pollinators, or special watering systems.

      • If you've made big changes, include "before and after" pictures.

      • Take pictures during the day using natural light for the clearest images.

      • Try photos from different angles to show your whole yard.

    4. After you complete the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Recognition Workshop, email your landscape photos and completed checklist to BrowardMG@ifas.ufl.edu and copy lbravo1@ufl.edu 

    5. The Broward County Water Ambassador Team will schedule a visit to your yard for an inspection. After the inspection, you’ll get a letter telling you if your yard has been recognized. If your yard meets the program’s standards, you’ll get an email showing you how to order your special FFL flag or sign!

     

  • FFL Recognition Winner Examples

    Are you wondering what a Florida-Friendly yard looks like in Broward County? Take a look at our video gallery of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Home Landscapes to see how people in your area have improved their yards!

    What You'll Find in the Videos

    • Real yards, real people: Watch local residents show off their Florida-Friendly yards.

    • Water conservation: See how neighbors save water by choosing the right plants and using smart watering techniques.

    • Wildlife support: Learn how yards can help support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife by using native plants and making friendly spaces for animals.

    • Creative landscape design: Get inspired by award-winning designs that look great and are good for the environment.

    • Recognized work: These yards are celebrated by UF/IFAS Extension and local award programs for their sustainable ideas.

    Why Watch These Videos?

    • Discover tips to help you create your own Florida-Friendly yard.

    • See before-and-after transformations that show how small changes can make a big difference.

    • Find out how you can help the environment and have a beautiful yard at the same time.

    Start exploring today and get ideas for your own backyard project!

  • Flip my Florida Yard

    The television series "Flip my Florida Yard" features FFL yards from all over Florida. Several episodes have been filmed in Broward County. These videos show how a yard can be transformed to be both beautiful and good for the environment. 

    • Flip My Florida Yard – The Henley Family (Coral Springs):
      Watch Video
    • Flip My Florida Yard – The Stengel Family (Fort Lauderdale):
      Watch Video

Contact Us

Lorna Bravo Urban Horticulture Agent II (954) 756-8529 lbravo1@ufl.edu

UF/IFAS Broward County Extension 3245 College Avenue Davie, FL 33314

(954) 756-8550

Directions to our office

Urban Horticulture Menu

Helpful Links

Help Desk

Landscape questions and photos can be emailed to: browardmg@ifas.ufl.edu

If you would like to talk to a Master Gardener please call: (954) 756-8533

Want to help support the Urban Horticulture Program?