10 Top Plants for a Food Garden in Subtropical Climates- Florida Gardening

Pete Kanaris's 10 top plants for a food garden in subtropical climates - Florida gardening.

1. Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius)
2. Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
3. Yuca / cassava (Manihot esculenta)
4. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
5. Sissoo / Miami / Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo)
6. Katuk (Sauropus androgynus)
7. Papaya (Carica papaya)
8. Edible leaf hibiscus (Abelmoschus manihot)
9. Cranberry hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella)
10. Okinawa spinach (Gynura crepioides)

Plants available for purchase from Pete’s nursery by visit or by mail.

Follow Pete!

Robin Greenfield is a truth-seeker, activist, social reformer and servant to Earth, humanity and our plant and animal relatives. He lives simply and sustainably to be the change he wishes to see in the world. Through living closely connected to Earth, he rejects the status quo of consumerism and demonstrates a way of being in gratitude, mindfulness and presence. His life is an experiment with truth and integrity.

Robin’s public activism involves dramatic actions designed to provoke critical thought, self-reflection and positive change. His activism creates nuanced conversations on the critical issues of our time, with a focus on solutions for living in harmony.
His life’s work has been covered by media worldwide and he has been named “The Robin Hood of Modern Times” by France 2 TV and “The Forrest Gump of Ecology”.

Robin has committed to earning below the federal poverty threshold for life and donates 100% of his media earnings to grassroots nonprofits, with a focus on supporting Black and Indigenous women-led organizations.

This channel is a resource for all who seek to liberate themselves, to live in truth and integrity, and to live in harmony with Earth, humanity and the plants and animals we share this home with.

Robin Greenfield and Dear Friends share means of achieving liberation and harmony through sustainable living, simple living, tiny house living, foraging, growing food and medicine, minimalism, zero waste, earth-skills, food sovereignty, community resilience, compassionate communication, activism, Black Liberation, Indigenous Sovereignty and living in service.

Find Robin Greenfield on:

Help us caption & translate this video!

[katjones]

I think it’s really cool that these plants don’t even look like food. Say you’re in a survival situation, nobody would come and take your food. People know what tomatoes look like, these things I would have no idea that it wasn’t just a normal tree.

[cole]

Can you believe we have a 'tropical' state in America!!?? !! We have dozens of papaya right now and the trees/vines/bushes have been dripping with bananas, mangos, passion fruit, dragon fruit and peanut butter fruit. I've been making my own greens powder from katuk, sissoo, sweet potato leaves, hibiscus leaves and moringa. Katuk is my FAVORITE! I also fell in love with the Jamaican strawberry tree this year (cotton candy berries??!!) and use the leaves as a base for tea with cranberry hibiscus and bidens - so delicious and medicinal. Florida is a mystical and magical land full of plants that love to connect with us ;)

[nisimarie]

I’m happy to see moringa getting attention in the Western world! It’s a very common green used in Filipino cuisine. We call it malunggay, and use it a lot like spinach. If you’re curious about different ways to cook the fresh leaves, look up “malunggay” recipes.

[BruhBruh-docq]

Idk why but I love how happy and enthusiastic this guy is about his plants. Very wholesome

[fortyfour]

Moringa. I worked with a guy in my lab who was from India. When he found out this was growing like a weed in my yard he begged me to bring it in. He freaking ate the bark and all. I tried it……nasty, tasted and smelled like urine. He said it’s a super food and quit being a “vussey “. Lol! I loved that guy!

[vikassm]

Very nice video!
I'm from Bangalore, India, where we have very similar temperatures to Miami, Florida. (Hovering between 60F to 90c most of the year)
I highly recommend growing Roselle (Gongura leaves in India) used for everything from fresh dips to spicy curries & Pigeon Peas (25% protein!). I grow them hydroponically in 55ltr containers, they grow in almost any type of soil with no care.
Also grow lots of herbs and spices to augment health and to prevent deficiencies, most of them will grow really well in Florida weather.
Pigeon peas and Roselle leaves cooked together along with some garlic, ginger, turmeric & black pepper tastes absolutely amazing.

[GatorLife]

Come on back to miss you !!! Wolf from Pasco County, FL. Thumbs up.

[lilyrosesoul]

What a great episode! Just a few gentle reminders : green papayas are good to eat in a salad etc - BUT ladies trying to get pregnant or pregnant ladies should eat only small amounts or avoid as it can lead miscarriage. If the papaya is ripe - eat in moderation as overconsumption can give a person diarrhea.Over consumption of moringa leaves is not good for people who suffer from high blood pressure. Food is medicine - but the flip side is that some herbs & vegetable & fruits can negative side effects if overconsumed or a person has some pre-existing health conditions. In south east asia where im from most of this knowledge is fading - i was lucky to have a grandmother who taught me some of this folk "medicine".

[lovehealthmarket]

this video literally changed my life. i’m soo thankful for you and Robs relationship. I don’t know if I ever would have found him if not for your videos. I’m in zone 9b central florida, and i started my food forest after watching you document his journey of self sustainability. I also bought every single plant you listed in this video😂. I really can’t thank you enough!!!

[barbaramajoca]

Meranga is so good to cook with coconut milk with cubes meat with onion garlic and ginger

[qlogic]

We own 7 of those 10, so stoked! Edible spinach is also known as Abika if anyone is curious. Had a lovely salad tonight with perpetual spinach, Okinawa spinach, moringa, and Abika.

[BagoEco]

we Indonesian especially Javanese are used to eating cassava leaves. Love this channel 👍

[biospheres]

Pete & Rob .. always my favorite teachers....green thumbs up.

[gerrylavelle]

Excited about moving to central Florida west coast. It's mid-April here in Colorado and a snow storm just wrecked my fruit trees again -- year after year. Gonna dig my Chicago Hardy fig bushes up and take them with so they can live happily ever after as trees in Florida.

[luzdeluna]

Happy to have 6 out of 10, our moringa trees have plenty of beautiful branches full of delicious leaves.
I also have 6 huge avocado trees 🌳 plus other fruit trees and veggies 🥕🥗 🥦
the feeling of going outside to your backyard and harvest your breakfast, lunch and dinner it’s amazing.

[craftystash]

I've been in West Central Florida ( Holiday) for 32yrs..we have never had luck in growing veggies.. can grow ornamentals all day long.. you've given me a boost to try again!! Thanks 😊

[MaxItUpwithMarta]

I'm so glad you did the yuca (casava) I've grown it in my yard in Miami, FL. It is great with "mojo". I'm planning on turning my front yard into a veggie garden.

[vj]

I love grow my own food. Leaving Pennsylvania to move to Fort Myers soon can’t wait to be able to grow all year round. Thanks for sharing

[koroba]

Hello from Idaho…my wife is from China and she has grown sweet potatoes primarily for the greens, very delicious. Incidentally, we are moving to Cap Coral in September (2021) so this video will give us lots of gardening ideas.

[jamiegrumm]

A great one is blue butterfly pea tea..its viney. All parts of the plant is edible ..flowers lovely ..and delicious. It is anti inflammatory..and has many many other health benefits..it makes a cold or hot tea that changes color with added citrus. Other plants we have that have lasted with almost no care black Florida pistachios..mulberry tree.. ❤