Accessibility Public Records News Calendar Human Resources

Reclaimed Water and Landscaping

irrigation system watering green grass and purple flowers

Using reclaimed water is an efficient way to irrigate landscaping affected by drought. Reclaimed water contains nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, along with high levels of salt.

For the most part, plants and grasses native to the area can be irrigated with reclaimed water. However, there are some plants that do not respond well to the salt in reclaimed water, causing issues like leaf burn.

Salt Intolerant Plants

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

Some Salt / Reclaimed Water Tolerant Plants

These plants can be watered with reclaimed water that contains less than 400 parts per million chloride concentrate (salt).

  • 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)

Reclaimed Water Tolerant Plants

  • 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)

The following plants tolerate reclaimed water with extra maintenance:

  • 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.)

Contact

For more information, contact your local nursery or Pinellas County Extension at (727) 582-2100.