Reasons to Plant Native Plants

Planting native plants is one of the most important steps in ecological landscaping and restoring local ecosystems. Native plants are naturally adapted to your region, making them more sustainable, supportive of wildlife, and easier to care for than non-native or ornamental species.

What are the native plants in your area? 

• Click on the National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder in the U.S

1. Support Local Wildlife

• Native plants feed local insects, birds, and other animals.

• Many insects (like caterpillars) can only eat specific native plants.

• Birds feed insects to their young, so native plants help sustain the entire food web.

• This concept is a central focus of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Douglas W. Tallamy.

2. Attract Pollinators

• Native flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.

• Healthy pollinator populations improve fruit and seed production for plants.

3. Require Less Maintenance

• Native plants are adapted to local soil, rainfall, and climate.

• They usually need less watering, fertilizing, and pest control than exotic plants.

4. Resist Invasive Species

• Strong native plant communities can outcompete invasive plants, reducing the spread of harmful species.

5. Improve Soil and Water Health

• Deep-rooted native plants reduce soil erosion and help absorb rainwater, supporting groundwater recharge.

• They also enrich the soil and promote healthy soil organisms.

6. Increase Biodiversity

• A mix of native plants supports a variety of insects, birds, mammals, and soil organisms, creating a self-supporting ecosystem.

7. Adaptable to Climate

• Native plants are more resilient to local weather extremes, such as droughts or cold winters, compared to many ornamental species.

Example

Planting an oak tree in your yard:

• Feeds hundreds of species of caterpillars

• Attracts birds that eat caterpillars

• Supports soil organisms through leaf litter

• Reduces erosion and provides shade

This single native tree helps restore multiple levels of the local food web.