Pinellas County Utilities / Water / Sewer

Reclaimed Water and Landscaping

Landscaping with Reclaimed Water brochure

It is no surprise that some plants are affected by drought, but reclaimed water can also cause difficulties in some plant species. The main problem encountered is leaf burn due to high levels of salt in reclaimed water. Some plants have a higher tolerance for salt than others.

Some common plants are listed below. For more information, contact your local nursery or Pinellas County Extension at (727) 582-2100.

No tolerance to salt:

Azaleas, dwarf and Formosa (Rhododendron sp.)
Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)

Plants that may need additional maintenance if irrigated with reclaimed water:

Avocado (Persea americana)
Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta sp.)
Caladium (Caladium sp.)
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Ixora (Ixora sp.)
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosaefolia)
Laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia)
Passionflower (Passiflora sp.)
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Rose (Rosa sp.)

Plants that are tolerant of reclaimed water containing less than 400 parts per million chloride concentrate:

Allamanda (Allamanda nerifolia)
Banana (Musa acuminata)
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Daylilies (Hemerocalis sp)
Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii)
Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Pampas grass (Cortaderua selloana)
Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Plants that are completely tolerant of reclaimed water:

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis)
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea)
Coontie (Zamia pumila)
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine)
Dwarf oleander (Nerium oleander "nana")
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)
Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
Sea grape (Coccolaba uvifera)

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