Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata), also called Sweet Almond Verbena or Incense Bush, is one of the most fragrant shrubs you can plant in South Florida. Its white flower spikes carry a rich almond-and-vanilla scent you can smell from across the yard, and it blooms in waves from spring through fall — nearly year-round in a warm winter. Butterflies and bees are on it constantly.
Why Florida Customers Choose Us
Sweet Almond Bush Breakdown
Appearance:
An upright, airy shrub with arching branches and rough-textured, medium-green leaves with finely toothed edges.
Slender 4–6 inch spikes of tiny white flowers cover the branch tips in repeated flushes.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
A 3-gallon plant can put on several feet in its first season in the ground.
Size:
8–12 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide if left alone, and up to about 15 feet when grown as a small tree.
Easily held at 5–6 feet with pruning. Available in 3-gallon.
Sunlight Requirements:
Full sun for the heaviest bloom.
Tolerates light part shade, with fewer flowers.
Water Needs:
Moderate.
Water regularly while it establishes; drought tolerant once the roots are settled in.
Soil Preferences:
Well-draining soil.
Adapts easily to sandy South Florida ground and does not like to sit wet.
Maintenance:
Moderate.
It flowers on new growth, so a light trim after each bloom flush keeps it full and brings on the next round of flowers. Cut it back harder in late winter to control size, or remove the lower branches to train it as a small patio tree.
Landscape Use:
Fragrance planting near patios, entries, windows and pool decks; butterfly and pollinator gardens; the back of a mixed border; an informal flowering screen; or a small multi-trunk accent tree.
Pairs well with Firebush and Plumbago for a long season of color.
Climate Tolerance:
USDA zones 8–11.
Evergreen in South Florida; farther north it may drop leaves or die back after a freeze and regrow in spring.
If you want a yard that smells as good as it looks, plant Sweet Almond Bush where you sit, walk or open a window — the fragrance does the rest.
Florida Delivery Available
We have in-stock Sweet Almond Bush ready to ship throughout Florida. Multiple sizes available with professional installation options. Order online or text/call 561-898-2028 for expert advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Plant & Care for Sweet Almond Bush in Florida
Choose Sun + Spacing
Most Florida plants prefer full to partial sun. Check mature width and space accordingly so plants don’t crowd as they fill in.
Dig Wide, Not Deep
Dig a hole 2–3x wider than the container and slightly shallow. This encourages roots to spread outward into native soil.
Plant at Proper Height
Remove from the pot, loosen circling roots, and plant with the root ball level to slightly above grade.
Water to Establish
Water deeply right after planting. For the first 10–14 days, consistent moisture is critical—don’t let the root ball dry out.
Mulch + Light Maintenance
Apply 2–3 inches of mulch (keep off the stem). Once settled, light trimming encourages fuller growth.
Professional Installation Available: Not comfortable planting yourself? We offer expert installation services throughout Florida. Our team has 15+ years of experience ensuring your plants thrive. Call 561-898-2028 to add installation to your order.
What Florida Customers Say
My experiences with Dinos have been wonderful. The communication about my orders & delivery was spot on, the deliveries guys quick, efficient and friendly - they even cleaned up fallen leaves from the driveway. But its the product that shined the most. Healthy, lush, vibrant. The same size posts as local nurseries - but the plants themselves were larger, fuller and more robust than anywhere we shopped. I cant say enough great things about their operations, their services and their products.
After scouring the internet for reviews for Landscapers I came across Dino's Palms and sure glad I did! The owner's husband and wife came and were very helpful picking out everything we wanted! We made a deal on doing my entire property and they personally came with a crew to install in one day! The plants were healthy and beautiful and the price for everything was much cheaper than anyone else!
Installed 11 4.5ft clusia plants in my front lawn, quality work finished in great time, thank you!
