There are a lot of misconceptions about native plants, and one of the biggest I’ve come across is what native plants actually are. In this brief article we’ll outline what a native plant is, how they impact ecosystems, and why including them in our landscapes is more important than ever.
What is a native plant
A native plant is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. They have evolved to adapt to their local climate, soil and other environmental conditions. This process can take thousands to millions of years.
What is a non-native plant
A non-native plant is one that is introduced intentionally or accidentally by human activity into a region where they did not previously occur; they exist outside of their natural range boundaries.
There are a number of other terms that play into this, like invasive plants (non-native species that will or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm) and cultivars (a group of plants selected for desirable characteristics, which are maintained through intentional (humane) propagation, often for flower colour, growth habit, or disease resistance). But native plants are the theme – and let’s get into why they matter.
Photo by By Bay & Gables / CC BY-SA 4.0
Why native plants matter
Native plants play essential roles in ecosystems, and a surprising number of other species (from fungi to insects to birds and other wildlife) rely heavily upon them; they are also not easily replaced by non-native plants. Here’s a few examples of how they make an impact:
1. Food Web Foundation
- Native plants are essential food sources for native insects, who in turn feed birds, amphibians, reptiles, bats and others.
- Many mammals also rely on native plants as food sources and for their habitats.
- Oak trees (of the genus Quercus) are a great example – they support over 900 species of caterpillars, compared to non-native Ginkgos (often grown in urban environments), which provide no support to caterpillars.
2. Support for Birds
- Most North American birds feed their chicks insects, not seeds; a single clutch of chickadees could consume 6,000 to 9,000 insects per day in reaching maturity.
- Non-native plants host far fewer insects, providing less food for birds and contributing to biodiversity declines.
3. Soil Health and Microbial Networks
- Native plants interact with soil microbes and fungi through long-evolved relationships (mycorrhizal fungi is a great example). These relationships improve soil structure, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage.
- Exotic plants often disrupt these networks or don’t participate at all.
4. Erosion Control and Water Management
- Native grasses and perennials that are deep-rooted help stabilize soil more effectively than turf or non-native ornamental plants. This helps reduce erosion, filters run off, and replenishes groundwater.
5. Ecological Connectivity
- Native plants in urban and suburban areas help restore and bolster habitat corridors, which allow for migration, gene flow, and seasonal movement of wildlife.
- Even a small native garden – or single containers of native plants – can help act as stepping stones in fragmented landscapes common in cities.
How to make an impact
If you want to make an impact for any or all of the reasons above, there are a few simple steps to getting native plants in and around your home:
- Identify your region (Hardiness Zone or Ecoregion are both beneficial)
- Use the MikeLikesPlants.com Garden Planner tools to determine garden type, site conditions, and more.
- Choose your plants! The Native Plants Advanced Search (click here) is a great way to find plants that meet various specific needs.
You can also meet with local naturalist or gardening groups with native plant knowledge to learn which species would work best or are most needed in your area.
Choosing native plants and adding them to the landscape around us isn’t just about gardening. It’s about reconnecting with where we live and nature as a whole.
Sources
Audubon Society. (n.d.). Why native plants matter. Retrieved from https://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter
EcoServants Project. (n.d.). The importance of native plants: Supporting local biodiversity and resilient landscapes. Retrieved from https://ecoservantsproject.org/the-importance-of-native-plants-supporting-local-biodiversity-and-resilient-landscapes/
Illinois Extension. (2015, March 16). How many caterpillars does a chickadee need? University of Illinois Extension. Retrieved from https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/flowers-fruits-and-frass/2015-03-16-how-many-caterpillars-does-chickadee-need
Invasive Plants in the Western USA. (n.d.). Native plants: Role in ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.invasiveplantswesternusa.org/native-plants.html
National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Why native plants matter. Retrieved from https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native/Why-Native
Penn State Extension. (n.d.). Why use native plants? Retrieved from https://extension.psu.edu/why-use-native-plants
Tallamy, D. W. (n.d.). A chickadee’s guide to gardening. Saving Birds Thru Habitat. Retrieved from https://www.savingbirds.org/media/uploads/pdf/chickadees.pdf
Tallamy, D. W. (2021). Oaks: The key to sustainable landscaping. International Oak Society. Retrieved from https://www.internationaloaksociety.org/content/oaks-key-sustainable-landscaping
University of Georgia Extension. (n.d.). Native plants, drought tolerance, and pest resistance. Retrieved from https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1122&title=native-plants-drought-tolerance-and-pest-resistance
University of Maryland Extension. (n.d.). What is a native plant? Retrieved from https://extension.umd.edu/resource/what-native-plant
