Groundcover
Gopher Apple
Licania michauxii
Varieties We Carry
StandardLicania michauxii
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$9.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 9.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterLow
Mature size0.5-1 feet × 6-10 feet
About Gopher Apple
Gopher Apple (Geobalanus oblongifolius) is a native Florida groundcover shrub that spreads by an extensive underground root system, forming low colonies of leathery oblong leaves in dry, sandy upland habitats. Small white flowers are followed by plum-like fruits eaten by gopher tortoises, black bears, and other wildlife. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Plant in full sun to part sun; Gopher Apple thrives in open, sunny sandy uplands and longleaf pine habitat across north Florida, spreading by underground stems into stable colonies.
Water
Extremely drought-tolerant once established; this deep-rooted native requires no supplemental irrigation in NE Florida and will decline in poorly drained or regularly irrigated sites.
Soil & Fertilizer
Requires infertile, well-drained sandy soil — do not amend with compost or fertilize; Geobalanus oblongifolius is adapted to Florida's nutrient-poor sandhill soils and poor drainage will kill it.
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Common questions
Is Gopher Apple a good plant for St. Augustine?
Gopher Apple is a groundcover for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 0.5-1 feet × 6-10 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 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.