THEPlant Native

Plant Guides

Not sure where to start with native plants? You’re in the right place.

These guides help you make sense of the plants you keep seeing, fix common yard challenges, and choose natives that actually fit your space and your life.

Jump to: Yard Problems · By Region · Wildlife

Guides for Yard Problems + Inspiration

Practical guides for real yards, from soggy corners to bare fences to plants with unpronounceable names.

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Beautiful Native Plants with Terrible Names

Tickseed or spiderwort, anyone?
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Best Native Plants for Rain Gardens

Plants that love a good soak.
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Deer-Resistant Native Plants

Limit unexpected snacking.
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Edible Native Plants

Beauty you can snack on.
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Fast-Growing Native Plants for Privacy

How to grow a verdant wall.

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Fast-Growing Native Trees

15 trees that grow 2+ feet per year.
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Native Plants That Are Easy to Start From Seed

Spend less than a cup of coffee to grow something.
Little Bluestem in the winter, credit: Brett Whaley

Native Plants That Look Good Year-Round

Plants that never take a day off.
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Native Plants That Look Great on Their Own

Stand-alone stunners, right this way.
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Native Plants That Love Acidic Soil

Acid-loving beauty, right this way.
Trout lily + spring beauty = native ephemeral gorgeousness

Spring Ephemerals: A Beginner’s Guide

Swap daffodils and tulips with natives.
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The Best Native Plants for Dry Areas

Water-wise and wonderful.
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The Best Native Plants for Fall Gardens
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The Best Native Plants for Spring Gardens

Find some early flowering favorites.
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The Best Native Trees for Front Yards

Big welcome energy.
Got space for a meadow? Blazing stars, rattlesnake masters, and native grasses are for you

The Three-Color Rule for Designing With Native Plants

Simple color combos that look intentional.

Guides by Region

Native plants thrive when they match your climate and seasons. These guides focus on plants that actually belong where you live.

Mid-Atlantic
Midwest
Northeast
South

Guides for Wildlife

Native plants aren’t just pretty. They’re food, shelter, and nurseries for birds, butterflies, bees, and more. These guides help you plant with intention.

Native Plants for Butterflies
Native Plants for Hummingbirds
Native Plants for Birds
Deer Resistant Natives

Not sure? That’s normal.

Decision fatigue is real, and our lives these days are…complicated. If you’re unsure what to plant, follow the advice of native plant expert Rebecca McMackin: “The best thing to do is to plant butterfly host plants.”

Visit our Best Native Host Plants for Butterflies to get going.