Plant Natives
Table of Contents
Introduction
This page covers some ways to get seeds or new plants for your gardening/rewilding project. Scroll down to see our directory of plant finders and plant lists by region and by country.
You may also want to scroll down to the Maps section to learn more about your ecoregion or other resources in map form.
Ethical Ways to Obtain Wildflowers and Other Native Plants
With many plants under extreme pressure from climate change, pressure from invasive species, increasing pathogen prevalence, habitat loss, and overharvesting, it is more important than ever to ensure we are careful not to accidentally do more harm than good.
Wild harvesting can be devastating for endangered or threatened species. We have already driven many environmentally and culturally important plant species to extinction. If buying plants, try to verify that they grow their own parent plants instead of wild harvesting, or if they have to harvest from the wild, that they use ethical practices to reduce stress on these species. Some methods like digging out a plant are not only harmful, but is often illegal.
Taking a few clippings or harvesting some seeds can be a sustainable way to leave the adult plant healthy, while having enough material to propagate new plants.
Some garden centers offer ready-grown wildflowers, or seed packets. Online shops and conservation organizations may offer clippings or seeds. If possible, try to support organizations who specifically focus on education, land conservation, and saving wild species. If this isn't possible, try to encourage whatever organization you do have access to, to offer native species instead of invasives, and to use environmental practices or packaging.
Seed and Plant Swaps are a great way to get in touch with others in your community. By focusing on native species you can spread awareness and education, or learn from other experienced gardeners or conservationists.
Pollinator Gardens
These are a great way to boost local wildlife. Consider signing up your pollinator garden and putting it on the map along with concerned citizens around the world. - Million Pollinator Gardens
Finders: Determine the Best Plants for Your Region
This section is intended to help you find native plant species for your planting projects and gardens. While this page is labeled Wildflowers, this section also includes trees, shrubs, and other types of plants in addition to grassland type flowering plants.
Africa
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Algeria
WorldAtlas: Native Plants Of Algeria includes a limited list of native species.
Burundi
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Egypt
Wild Plants of Egypt by Dr. Monier Abd El-Ghani (PhD, DSc), Professor of Plant Taxonomy and Flora, The Herbarium, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University. Click the photos for a larger view.
Ethiopia
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Kenya
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Namibia
Nigeria
Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of South Eastern Nigeria "Common plants used by the indigenous people of south eastern Nigeria for medicinal purposes were catalogued based on collections during field trips and visits to traditional medicine practitioners in these parts, and questionnaires administered to resident knowledgeable respondents. These plants were briefly described and their local names provided where possible while the medicinal uses and parts used were listed. Faced with rapid depletion and the current focus on cheaper alternatives to synthetic drugs, the need to document these plant resources and explore short and long term strategies of conserving them were highlighted. Emphasis was laid on integration of traditional with orthodox health care systems in order to enhance the health of the people in this area."
Living National Treasures: Nigeria lists "Among about 80 vascular plant species exclusive to Nigeria (ResearchGate) are the orchids Genyorchis apertiflora (JSTOR), Habenaria linguiformis (JSTOR), and Diaphananthe dorotheae (GBIF). Other endemic plants include Costus talbotii (GingersRus), Brachystelma bracteolatum (ResearchGate), Cola gigas (JSTOR), Aeschynomene neglecta (JSTOR), Cassipourea eketensis (JSTOR), Saxicolella flabellata (fig. 1 at Kew), Anemia nigerica (GBIF), Indigofera hutchinsoniana (JSTOR), Monodora unwinii (ARKive WM), Impatiens nigeriensis (Google Books), Dactyladenia dichotoma (GBIF), Mussaenda afzelioides (JSTOR), Talbotiella eketensis (JSTOR), Oldenlandia rhabdina (POWO), Combretum baldwinii (PLAZI), Terminalia pennyana (GBIF), Anisophyllea obanica (GBIF), Napoleonaea reptans (GBIF), and Rytigynia argentea (JSTOR)."
Some Endangered Plants Producing Edible Fruits and Seeds in Southeastern Nigeria (PDF) Technical paper with colour photos. "The feeding habits of the peoples of Southeastern Nigeria are dominated by the starchy foods of root and tuber origin usually taken with soups of various vegetables [1]. In addition to the bulky foods such as yam, cassava, cocoyam and plantains, peoples of Southeastern Nigeria consume a wide range of fruits and masticatories outside formal meal times such as during reception of visitors, opening of ceremonies, making of vows and pledges at marriages and while out in the fields or at other leisure times. Many of the fruits and seeds in this category, some of which serve as soup condiments, are often harvested from wild or protected plants. Many are often packaged as special gifts to friends and relations resident in cities within Nigeria and overseas. It may be necessary to stress that the demand for and consumption of the fruits and seeds cut across age brackets, standards of living and literacy levels. Thus, an account of the feeding habits of the peoples of Southeastern Nigeria will be incomplete without mention of these non-formal but vital food items."
Wild Edible Indigenous Plants in Kontagora Emirate Forests, Niger State, Nigeria Lists plants alongside a list of which parts are edible.
World Atlas: Native Plants of Nigeria No photos, but names some plants from grass to trees, including their scientific names.
Rwanda
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Tanzania
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Uganda
Our Friends The Pollinators A Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa (PDF) "This book also aims to create awareness, provide practical information on the diversity o pollinators in East Arica (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi), and to introduce you to a few of them."
Bangladesh
Banglapedia: Wild Flower in English or Bangla with pictures of some plants.
Britannica: Plant and Animal Life in English only with no images.
Flora of Bangladesh search by growth type (creepers, aquatic, trees, etc.) then click plant names to learn more and see photos of your selected plant. English only.
China
WorldAtlas: Plants Native to China includes a limited list of native species.
India
Native Gardening in India talks about benefits of the native gardening movement and offers some lists of native plants.
Wild Flowers of India by Nimret Handa (PDF of book) be careful to cross-reference and read closely. Many of the plants listed in this book are native, and introduced to other countries, but some were introduced by the British and others to India, and have become naturalized over time.
10 Lesser Known Native Plants talks about these plants, some of the chemicals they contain, and some of their medicinal benefits.
20 Rare and Unique Native Plants of India | Native Gardening
Japan
Flower Database in English, Japanese and Chinese. You can use the "Advanced Search" (under the "Search" button near the top of the page, right hand side) to select for many traits including flowering time and location: both regional and biome type.
Nepal
Flora of Nepal includes photos of common flowers, but the list of rare flowers at the bottom doesn't have any images.
Flora of Nepal / नेपालका वनस्पति : Medicinal "Medicinal plants threatened through over-collection for the export trade (see conservation)"
Flora of Nepal / नेपालका वनस्पति : Nationally Protected includes a "National list of plants banned for collection, use, sale, distribution, transportation and export" and a "National list of timber trees banned for felling, transportation or export". No images included.
The Flora of Nepal includes photos.
Wikipedia: Flora of Nepal includes listings of Nepalese plants, as well as crops (might not be native), traditional medicinal plants, traditional herbs (some of which may also have been introduced via international trade).
Wildflowers in Nepal click the plant images to learn their names. English only, and no extra info other than plant names.
Europe
First Nature "Pictures, identification and habitat guides to 650 wildflower species of Britain and Europe. Picture Galleries of plant families including 150 wild orchids. See also the nature and biology of orchids, systematics and taxonomy, conservation designations, and caring for orchids as house plants."
Greece Mediterranean Garden Society Seed Exchange Check their list of available plants here: http://www.mediterraneangardensocietyarchive.org/seed-notes.html
Ireland
First Nature "Pictures, identification and habitat guides to 650 wildflower species of Britain and Europe. Picture Galleries of plant families including 150 wild orchids. See also the nature and biology of orchids, systematics and taxonomy, conservation designations, and caring for orchids as house plants."
Wild Flower Finder "This resource is for wild flowers occurring in the UK (United Kingdom - which includes England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and several nearby islands but not the rest of the World). It is searchable by colour, month, habitat, number of petals, flower symmetry and all manner of other parameters by which identification of a flower may be narrowed down. Included are thousands of photographs. Plus the structural formulae of hundreds of plant compounds: dyes, herbs, poisons, pharmaceuticals, smells, etc. There is also a wealth of extra information and other resources at hand."
Portugal
Sweden
Rikare trädgård offers a downloadable spreadsheet - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X20308621?via%3Dihub#s0195
UK
First Nature "Pictures, identification and habitat guides to 650 wildflower species of Britain and Europe. Picture Galleries of plant families including 150 wild orchids. See also the nature and biology of orchids, systematics and taxonomy, conservation designations, and caring for orchids as house plants."
Wild Flower Finder "This resource is for wild flowers occurring in the UK (United Kingdom - which includes England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and several nearby islands but not the rest of the World). It is searchable by colour, month, habitat, number of petals, flower symmetry and all manner of other parameters by which identification of a flower may be narrowed down. Included are thousands of photographs. Plus the structural formulae of hundreds of plant compounds: dyes, herbs, poisons, pharmaceuticals, smells, etc. There is also a wealth of extra information and other resources at hand."
North America
The Biota of North America Program: North American Vascular Flora this is the more scientific and thorough resource including multiple types of maps and multiple ways to search.
Keystone Plants by Ecoregion this is the more user-friendly resource including info like number of caterpillars and pollen specialist bee species that use a specific plant.
Canada
Nature Conservancy Canada: Plants lists plants with photos, click the plant name to learn more about each. Doens't seem to have a search feature.
Pollinator Partnership: Canada Planting Guides "Our ecoregional planting guides, Selecting Plants for Pollinators, are tailored to specific areas of Canada. Whether you are a farmer of many acres, land manager of a large tract of land, or a gardener with a small lot, you can increase the number of pollinators in your area by making conscience choices to include plants that provide essential habitat for pollinators." Find the PDF guide for your region. Guides in English and French.
USA
Cherokee Nation Seed Bank "Please complete one application per Cherokee Citizen."
Choose Natives: Plant Native Ground Covers & Make America Green Again "You’ll find that the following native plants can satisfy most, if not all, of your ground-covering gardening objectives. Read on to learn what would work best for you."
MyWildflowers "Wildflowers from the hiking and biking trails of the eastern US"
Native Plant Finder - (also has a butterfly finder and personal list if you make an account)
Pollinator-Friendly Plant Lists from the Xerces Society
Pheasants Forever Click the map to select your state and find appropriate seed mixes for your project.
Species At-Risk List Click items on list to see images and biography - by United Plant Savers - Medicinal Plant Conservation
What should I plant? Wildflowers by Region Interactive Map - WWF
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center by University Texas
California
Calscape - also offers a garden planner that asks you questions to help you plan. - https://gardenplanner.calscape.org/
Delaware
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Native Plant Center Tool "You can find native plants with the same shape, color, size or other characteristics as some of your favorite non-native plants to create attractive and more natural landscapes right in your own yard."
Iowa
The Tallgrass Prairie Center's "Plant Iowa Native" "initiative is about connecting people with native plant resources."
Louisiana
Louisiana Native Plant Society: What is Native? Invasive Species and Other Terms Scroll down for links to more resources from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants "Orange links lead to individual pages for each species."
Native Plant Initiative of New Orleans: Resources this site also offers the Louisiana Certified Habitat Program.
Maryland
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Native Plant Center Tool "You can find native plants with the same shape, color, size or other characteristics as some of your favorite non-native plants to create attractive and more natural landscapes right in your own yard."
Missouri
Missouri Prairie Foundation: Native Plant Database "Pick the right native plant for the right place. This searchable database of 300+ plants native to the lower Midwest includes trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, sedges, rushes, and wildflowers suitable for landscaping as well as species for creating wildlife habitat, stabilizing streams, and for other ecological purposes. Most plants in the database are available from Grow Native! professional members who sell plants. A few species in the database are not readily available for sale, such as common violets found in yards, but are included here because of widespread interest."
New England
Pennsylvania
Rain Garden Alliance: Plant List "Plants for rain gardens need to be able to withstand brief periods of standing water yet be able to tolerate extended periods of dryness. While there are a number of plants that can do well under these conditions, the best are those native to our region. Native plants have evolved to thrive in our local environment and provide great habitat for beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies.
The plants [in this list] are recommended for use in rain gardens in Southwestern Pennsylvania."
Oregon
GardenSmart Oregon: A Guide to Non-invasive Plants "This booklet offers gardeners and landscape designers many choices of plants that work for gardens while protecting the health and beauty of Oregon’s natural lands and waters. We highlight plants that should be avoided because they are invasive, and offer non-invasive alternatives."
Willamette Valley Native Plants (PDF) poster by the Environmental Services City of Portland is organized visually from wet to dry, and the second page offers a listing of where to acquire plants locally. The second page also has has a helpful chart noting what kind of light or shade each plant needs, if it spreads fast, if it is perennial or not, flowering, tree vs shrub, etc.
Texas
Buchanan's Plants: Library: Texas Natives click on the images for more info, or search by name or with the filters on the left.
Virginia
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Native Plant Center Tool "You can find native plants with the same shape, color, size or other characteristics as some of your favorite non-native plants to create attractive and more natural landscapes right in your own yard."
U.S. Virgin Islands/Islas Vírgenes Americanas
Oceana
Australia
Farm Dam Planting Guide (PDF) "What to plant in and around your dam."
Gardening With Angus: Search the Plant Database (a redditor suggested selecting "cool temperate" for results related to Tasmanian plants.
Powerful Pollinators "is a program designed to increase the prevalence, health and diversity of pollinators in the landscape. The program encourages the strategic planting of ‘trees for bees’ and other pollinators and provides Powerful Pollinators Planting Guides developed by experienced botanists and field ecologists for use by landholders.
The Guides specify relevant information about pollinator habitat and floral resources to enable users such as land managers, Landcare groups, nurseries and gardeners to select the most appropriate indigenous species that provide value for pollinators."South Australian Butterflies & Moths: Food Plants 🦋 this guide lists different butterflies and moths along with the native and introduced species they enjoy.
New Zealand
Trees for Bees: Flower Catalog 🐝 🦋 This lists the best plants for pollintors, but specifically bees. Warning not ALL the plants are native, but you can click each name, and scroll down to see if the plant listed is exotic or native. You can also check out their Regional Plant Guides to find the best plants for your area or their list of "Star Performer Bee Plants", but again, it's best to cross reference as they have listed some non-natives like Rosemary. Rosemary shouldn't become invasive, but some non-natives can quickly get out of hand and become highly invasive.
Local Plant Sources
This includes section includes companies, plant/seed swaps, conservation organizations, seed banks and libraries as well as community gardening programs.
In addition to the resources listed in our buttons, one of our contributors offered, "You can clear a bit of soil, add a birdbath, and get many native edibles. As suggested by this guy: https://www.foragingtexas.com". The upside is that you'll end up with some of the most local genetic varieties of various native plants (as in plants that may enjoy your specific soil and microclimate), the down side is that birds also feed on non-natives, and invasives.
The following may also be of use:
Check the Reddit: NativePlantGardening: Index and grant/rebate programs: Reddit: NativePlantGardening: Incentives
Apps & Tools
Bee Score: Flower Finder "Select the flowers you have in your garden, then hit continue to find out your current bee kind score. If you’re not sure exactly which plants you have, try clicking the filters on and off to help identify the bee-friendly flowers in your garden." This is hosted by and for UK residents, so you won't get a bonus for "native species" if you live outside the UK, and might see your local natives listed as "non-native" or get an "invasive penalty" even if those plants are fine where you live, but this is still a fun and educational resource.
Europe
UK
Bee Score: Flower Finder "Select the flowers you have in your garden, then hit continue to find out your current bee kind score. If you’re not sure exactly which plants you have, try clicking the filters on and off to help identify the bee-friendly flowers in your garden." This is hosted by and for UK residents, so you won't get a bonus for "native species" if you live outside the UK, and might see your local natives listed as "non-native" or get an "invasive penalty" even if those plants are fine where you live, but this is still a fun and educational resource.
North America
USA
Pheasants Forever Click the map to select your state and find appropriate seed mixes for your project.
Maps
North America
Ecoregions of North America "For studying plant distribution and ecology, our site emphasizes ecoregions rather than the usual political boundaries like countries, states or provinces, and counties or districts. For North America we use the ecoregions produced by the CEC, which is a collaborative effort of the US EPA, Canada, and Mexico's INEGI. You can find the original data here." (Click the general eco-region, and see how it breaks down into smaller sub-types. Keep doing this till you reach your area.)
Canada
Ecoregions of North America "For studying plant distribution and ecology, our site emphasizes ecoregions rather than the usual political boundaries like countries, states or provinces, and counties or districts. For North America we use the ecoregions produced by the CEC, which is a collaborative effort of the US EPA, Canada, and Mexico's INEGI. You can find the original data here." (Click the general eco-region, and see how it breaks down into smaller sub-types. Keep doing this till you reach your area.)
Mexico
Ecoregions of North America "For studying plant distribution and ecology, our site emphasizes ecoregions rather than the usual political boundaries like countries, states or provinces, and counties or districts. For North America we use the ecoregions produced by the CEC, which is a collaborative effort of the US EPA, Canada, and Mexico's INEGI. You can find the original data here." (Click the general eco-region, and see how it breaks down into smaller sub-types. Keep doing this till you reach your area.)
USA
Ecoregions of North America "For studying plant distribution and ecology, our site emphasizes ecoregions rather than the usual political boundaries like countries, states or provinces, and counties or districts. For North America we use the ecoregions produced by the CEC, which is a collaborative effort of the US EPA, Canada, and Mexico's INEGI. You can find the original data here." (Click the general eco-region, and see how it breaks down into smaller sub-types. Keep doing this till you reach your area.)
Level III Ecoregions of the Continental United States (PDF) "Ecoregions are areas where ecosystems (and the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources) are generally similar."
Pheasants Forever (Interactive) Click the map to select your state and find appropriate seed mixes for your project.
Iowa
Tallgrass Prairie Center: Seed and Service Providers this page offers a map of seed and service providers in Iowa, as well as another map of prescribed fire providers around the state.
Organizations
Europe
European Native Seed Producers Association "Restoring European ecosystems seed by seed "
North America
USA
Wild Ones "promotes native landscapes through education, advocacy, and collaborative action."
Louisiana
Acadiana Native Plant Project "Our mission is to promote the use of native plants within our landscape. Together, we are connecting habitats, one garden at a time."
The Louisiana Native Plant Society "is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of, education about, and the propagation of the state’s diverse native flora. We work to offer continuing networking and learning experiences for our members and citizens of the state of Louisiana as it relates to the grave importance of our native flora and the ways in which we can protect and preserve it.
LNPS also works with and supports local native plant societies in different areas of Louisiana and highly recommends involvement in one of these that may be close to where you live. These local organizations meet more frequently and are more involved in local activities and projects."Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans Their mission is "To increase the use of native plants in our area by expanding public awareness of their ecological benefits, boosting availability, and by preserving and creating native plant communities."
WildOnes Greater Baton Rouge " is centered in East Baton Rouge and serves East and West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, St.Helena, Tangipahoe, and surrounding communities in the Loess Plains region of southern Louisiana. Click link to see Chapter locations…. https://wildones.org/chapters/"
Texas
Grants
North America
USA
Native Seeds/SEARCH: Community Seed Grants "seeks to find, protect and preserve the seeds of the people of the Greater Southwest so that these arid adapted crops may benefit all peoples and nourish a changing world."
"Community Seed Grants (CSG) are available for communities who are regionally and culturally connected to our seeds. They are offered to organizations working toward collective food security, seed sovereignty, traditional knowledge, education, and other efforts of community wellness and arid land stewardship. Priority is given to projects and organizations that clearly support food access and resilience for systematically marginalized communities.
Our region of focus is the Southwest United States and Northwest Mexico, which generally includes: Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, west Oklahoma, west Texas, southern California, southern Nevada, and northwest Mexico. Native communities in arid places outside of this region may also apply.
We strive to support projects in Mexico, though due to mailing restrictions it is best if you have someone in the US who can receive and bring the seeds to Mexico.
Seed libraries are eligible to receive one pre-selected variety each year. More information about seed library grants can be found here."
Missouri
Prairie Garden Grants Program "Gardening and other conservation groups, parks, schools, and other entities in Missouri and immediately surrounding states are invited to submit proposals to MPF’s Prairie Garden Grants Program. In 2024, MPF would like to award several grants to help fund the establishment or improvement of prairie gardens or plantings. Grants will not exceed $800 each. Those with smaller projects are encouraged to apply as well. Matching funds are not required, but proposals with secured matching funds may be evaluated higher than others."
Texas
Monarch Garden Grants "The Native Plant Society of Texas awards small grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development of Monarch demonstration gardens or Monarch Waystations using native plants on public sites in Texas. The purpose of this program is to educate members, applicants, and the public about Monarch conservation and native plants, and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway."
Oceana
Australia
Western Australia
Native Plant Subsidy "Native plants provide natural food sources and shelter for native animals, are water wise and can help cool your home naturally. To help you create a waterwise garden, the City of Cockburn offers native plant subsidies to both residents and schools."
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."
Further Reading
Click the Invasive Species button to learn what doesn't belong in your area, and some ideas on how to handle them.
The Seeds page lists seed libraries and places to buy. Species include wildflower's, and edible plants such as vegetables and herbs.
Click the Trees button to learn about tree planting programs, grants and programs that can provide free or affordable trees for your planting project.
Click the Harvesting Water button to learn about the many ways we can capture water for later use, including atmospheric, grey, and rain water.
This link explores ways to supply water to wildlife including bird baths, wildlife guzzlers, and dew pools.