From UF/IFAS
In Summary:
Pollen season in Florida typically peaks between January and June, with March and April marking the height of tree pollen activity. Wind-pollinated trees like oaks and pines are major contributors, spreading lightweight pollen that can travel miles and trigger allergy symptoms. UF/IFAS experts recommend limiting outdoor exposure during peak hours, changing clothes after being outside, and taking steps to keep pollen out of the home.
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Brace yourselves – the sneezing, the itchy eyes, the yellow-dust-on-every-surface season is here. And for most of you, it might mean more trips to the car wash.
Pollen season in Florida, which peaks from January to June, is in full bloom. Its density varies by location, due to tree species, local climate, and elevation. It starts in North Florida and creeps southward, peaking in South Florida from February to May.
Related: What was the very first plant in the world?
That fine yellow powder doesn’t just land on your car; it clings like a price tag. Rinse it off in the morning, and by afternoon, it’s back, acting like it owns the place.
The culprit is the annual botanical confetti tossed by our trees, shrubs, and grasses. This helpful Ask IFAS document tells you which trees and plants produce more pollen than others.
Laurel oaks are already getting the party started, said Alyssa Vinson, urban forester for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
“We'll see live oaks and cedars starting over the next month,” said Vinson, an agent with UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County. “The height of pollen season is March and April. Then it will taper off in the summer and then ramp back up with grasses in the summer.”
Theresa Badurek, urban horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County, said oak trees produced plenty of pollen in February, adding that “my normally blue car is currently green.”
“Trees that are wind-pollinated are the major culprits,” Badurek said. “They rely on the wind to carry their pollen to other trees for pollination -- to ensure genetic diversity. Trees and other plants that rely on insects for pollination are less likely to be allergenic. Grow more pollinator-friendly plants and everybody wins.”
Also, “If anyone uses a clothesline to dry clothes, they should avoid doing so while trees are producing heavy pollen.”
Shannon Carnevale, natural resources agent for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, recommends you wash your face, shower and wash your hair, if you suffer from pollen allergies. She also suggests changing clothes as soon as you return home.
“Avoid bringing those allergens indoors,” Carnevale said.
Lorna Bravo, urban horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, agrees and offers more tips.
Bravo suggests you limit our outdoor time, particularly during peak pollen hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and during windy days.
She also recommends you wear masks for gardening and mowing and dry your clothes indoors – which is crucial with our humidity.
South Florida’s trees can be particularly pesky pollen producers.
“Pollen from trees like oaks, pines, and melaleucas produces lightweight grains that travel miles, irritating airways and causing symptoms such as watery eyes, congestion, coughing, and fatigue,” Bravo said. “In South Florida urban settings like Broward County, high tree density in residential areas and along roadways amplifies exposure from these common species. These tiny grains trigger allergies because minute amounts provoke immune overreactions.”
Specific to South Florida, Bravo suggests selecting low-allergen native plants like female gumbo-limbo, West Indian mahogany, mastic or Simpson's stopper for urban landscapes. Rain from frequent thunderstorms naturally suppresses pollen, so monitor local forecasts.
UF/IFAS experts say that although pollen can be irritating, it’s a necessary evil if we want shade in communities.
“We don’t love allergies, but we do love shade, tree benefits, and wildlife habitat,” Carnevale said. “So, pollen is a tradeoff.”
Use this website to monitor pollen in your area.
Key Points:
- Pollen season peaks in March and April across Central Florida
- Oaks, pines, and cedars are among the biggest pollen producers
- Wind carries pollen long distances, increasing exposure
- Experts recommend limiting outdoor activity during peak hours
- Simple steps like showering and changing clothes can reduce indoor allergens
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human, and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries and all Florida residents.
For more information, go to ifas.ufl.edu.
