What’s all the “buzz" about native plants?

According to the USDA, “a native plant is a plant that is part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem” (USDA, 2024). A native plant is not native to a region or ecosystem if it was introduced by human beings.

Because each native species evolved in their particular geographic region or ecosystem, they can provide certain benefits specialized to that region, such as utilizing less water, preventing soil erosion, and/or providing habitat and nutrition for native animals (USDA, 2024). Another advantage is that native plants are generally easier to grow and require less maintenance than varieties that evolved with other ecosystems (USDA, 2024).

Because “native” is a relative term (what is native to one area may not be native to another), it is important to specify the location to which a plant is “native” (National Wildlife Federation, 2024). A plant may be designated as “native” in the Mid-Atlantic region but may or may not be “native” to the Great Lakes region (USDA, 2024). And just because a native plant can be grown outside of their native region, doesn’t mean they are “native” there!