Buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 19, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Buttonwood
Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) is a South Florida native evergreen tree or large shrub of coastal margins, valued for exceptional salt, wind, and drought tolerance. Its leathery gray-green leaves and button-like fruit clusters offer year-round ornamental interest. Note: it is marginally hardy in NE Florida (zone 9b) and may sustain freeze damage; plant only in sheltered sites. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Alkaline, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter. Can be planted in mild winter periods.
Care essentials
Plant in full sun. Buttonwood demands maximum sun exposure and is best suited to coastal and south-facing exposures. It is not reliably cold-hardy in NE Florida (zone 9b) — plant only in sheltered, frost-protected microclimates or use as a large container specimen that can be protected.
Moderately drought tolerant once established; tolerates periodic flooding and brackish or salty conditions. Water regularly during establishment; established trees can rely on rainfall in NE Florida's summer wet season.
Adapts to sandy, loamy, or alkaline soils with good drainage. Fertilize lightly with a palm/citrus formula in spring; avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers. Note: buttonwood's primary range is South Florida — zone 9b performance is marginal and frost protection is advised.
Similar needs
Sea Grape
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Sea Hibiscus
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Autograph Tree
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Simpson's Stopper
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Natal Plum
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Oleander
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Buttonwood a good plant for St. Augustine?
Buttonwood is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with high salt tolerance, reaching 20-40 feet × 20-30 feet (can be maintained smaller with pruning).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed June 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.