Florida doesn’t follow the classic “trees in spring, grasses in summer, weeds in fall” pattern. According to UF/IFAS, Florida’s pollen seasons are more frequent and longer, and trees account for about 80% of airborne pollen in the state. This guide covers what’s in the air month by month, which plants cause the most trouble, and how to cope – with city guides for local detail.
Find Your City: Pollen Near Me
Pick your city for the local pollen calendar, today’s main seasonal triggers, and local tips:
Sarasota · Bradenton & Palmetto · Tampa · St. Petersburg & Clearwater · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Fort Myers & Cape Coral · Naples · Tallahassee · Gainesville · Fort Lauderdale · West Palm Beach · Lakeland · Pensacola
Florida Pollen by Region
- North Florida (Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Pensacola): the season starts first and pine and oak are heavy in late winter and spring.
- Central and Gulf Coast (Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Bradenton, Orlando): oak peaks around March–April; grasses climb in summer.
- South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples): tree pollen peaks February–May, with melaleuca and other subtropical species; grass can stay active nearly year-round.
UF/IFAS notes the season starts in North Florida and moves south.
City Pollen Guides
- Sarasota pollen & allergy guide
- Bradenton & Palmetto pollen & allergy guide
- Tampa pollen & allergy guide
- St. Petersburg & Clearwater pollen & allergy guide
- Orlando pollen & allergy guide
- Miami pollen & allergy guide
- Jacksonville pollen & allergy guide
- Fort Myers & Cape Coral pollen & allergy guide
- Naples pollen & allergy guide
- Tallahassee pollen & allergy guide
- Gainesville pollen & allergy guide
- Fort Lauderdale pollen & allergy guide
- West Palm Beach pollen & allergy guide
- Lakeland pollen & allergy guide
- Pensacola pollen & allergy guide
Florida Pollen Calendar
| Month | Trees | Grasses | Weeds | Mold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Moderate–high (oak and cedar begin, pine) | Low–moderate (Bermuda) | Low | Low–moderate |
| Feb | High (oak, pine) | Low–moderate | Low | Low–moderate |
| Mar | Very high (oak peak, wax myrtle/bayberry, pine) | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Apr | Very high (oak, pine) | Moderate (Bahia starts) | Low | Moderate |
| May | Moderate–high (tapering) | High (Bahia, Bermuda) | Low–moderate | Moderate |
| Jun | Low | High (Bahia, Bermuda) | Low–moderate | High (rainy season) |
| Jul | Low | High | Low–moderate | High |
| Aug | Low | High | Moderate (ragweed begins) | High |
| Sep | Low | Moderate–high | Moderate–high (ragweed, dog fennel) | High |
| Oct | Low | Moderate | Moderate–high (ragweed) | Moderate–high |
| Nov | Low–moderate | Low–moderate | Moderate (tapering) | Moderate |
| Dec | Moderate (early oak in some years) | Low (Bermuda) | Low | Low–moderate |
Main Pollen Triggers
Trees
- Oak – among the most allergenic Florida pollens; Florida has 11 oak species, peaking February–May, sometimes from December (UF/IFAS).
- Pine – the yellow dust on cars; produced in huge amounts but rated less allergenic than oak (UF/IFAS).
- Wax myrtle (bayberry, often called “bayhops”) – a common landscape shrub with highly allergenic pollen.
- Eastern red cedar, bald cypress and Australian pine – other highly allergenic trees noted by UF/IFAS.
Grasses
- Bahiagrass – Florida’s most abundant grass and highly allergenic; common in lawns and roadsides.
- Bermudagrass – can pollinate year-round in subtropical Florida.
- Johnsongrass – another major grass allergen.
Weeds
- Ragweed – the most clinically significant weed; late summer into fall.
- Dog fennel and pigweed – other highly allergenic weeds. Goldenrod is often blamed, but its sticky pollen does not travel well on the wind (UF/IFAS).
Mold
Florida’s hot, humid wet season (roughly late spring through early fall, per NOAA climate summaries) favors outdoor mold. Mold isn’t pollen, but it triggers similar symptoms.
Local Tips
- Keep windows closed and run the A/C with a good filter during high-count days (UF Health).
- Shower and change clothes after time outdoors; dry laundry in the dryer, not outside (UF/IFAS).
- Rain washes pollen out of the air, so counts often drop after a storm; hot, dry, windy days push counts up (UF Health).
- Check daily counts from an AAAAI National Allergy Bureau station or local forecast.
When to See an Allergist
ACAAI suggests seeing an allergist when symptoms last for months, interfere with sleep, work or school, aren’t controlled by over-the-counter medicines, or come with asthma symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath. An allergist can test which Florida pollens you react to and discuss immunotherapy. Trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat is an emergency – see seasonal allergy emergencies.
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What actually helps
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HEPA air purifier & filters
A portable HEPA purifier sized to the room can lower airborne particles such as pollen and dust; it only works if you replace filters on schedule. (EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home)
See the Levoit Core 300 on AmazonSaline nasal rinse kit
Rinsing with saline can clear pollen from the nose; use distilled, sterile or boiled-then-cooled water, never plain tap water. (FDA: Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?)
See the NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit on AmazonDust-mite pillow & mattress covers
Allergists recommend zippered, allergen-proof encasings for pillows, mattresses and box springs, plus hot-water washing of bedding. (ACAAI: Dust Allergy)
See Hospitology zippered pillow encasements on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
When is pollen season in Florida?
Tree pollen generally runs January through June, peaking in March and April. Grasses add pollen from spring through fall, and ragweed rises in late summer and fall, so many Floridians have some trigger almost all year (UF/IFAS).
What is the worst allergy month in Florida?
For most of the state, March and April are the height of tree pollen season, driven largely by oak. People allergic to grass or ragweed may feel worst in summer or fall instead.
Is the yellow pine pollen what makes me sneeze?
Pine pollen is very visible but is considered less allergenic than oak, which releases at the same time. Oak is often the real culprit (UF/IFAS).
Do allergies get better if I move to Florida?
Not necessarily. Florida has longer seasons and different plants, so many people develop new sensitivities after a few seasons. An allergist can test what you react to.
Related Guides
- Pollen allergies explained
- Spring allergies
- Fall allergies
- Winter allergies
- Antihistamines
- Nasal sprays
- Removing allergen triggers at home
Sources
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Pollen and Allergies
- UF/IFAS News (March 2026): Pollen season hits with full force
- UF/IFAS FR268: Urban Trees and Allergies in North Florida
- UF Health: Allergies, Asthma, and Pollen
- ACAAI: Hay Fever
- CDC: Pollen and Your Health
- AAAAI National Allergy Bureau pollen counts
- NOAA/NCICS State Climate Summary: Florida
This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or a board-certified allergist about your symptoms and treatment.