Effective date: October 19, 2026
Website: theplantnative.com
Company/Publisher: The Plant Native operated by The Plant Native Guide LLC
Contact: hello@theplantnative.com
The short version
We collect a small amount of information to run this site, understand what’s working, and respond when you reach out. Some trusted third-party tools (like analytics, email, and advertising partners) may process data on our behalf.
1) what information we collect
Information you provide
We collect information you choose to share, including:
- Contact details (like your name and email) when you sign up for emails, submit a form, comment, or contact us
- Message content you send us (for example, questions or feedback)
- Garden notes you post on a plant page: the name you enter, your note, an optional state or zone, and any photos you attach are published on that page for anyone to read. Your email address is not shown. We remove hidden location data from note photos before they appear.
- Purchase information if you buy something (note: payment details are typically handled by the payment processor, not stored by us)
Information collected automatically
When you browse the site, some information is collected automatically, such as:
- Device and browser information (device type, operating system, browser)
- Usage data (pages viewed, time on page, clicks, referring/exit pages)
- Approximate location (city/region level, not your precise address)
- IP address (often used for security, fraud prevention, and analytics)
This data is usually collected through cookies and similar technologies.
2) cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies (small files saved on your device) and similar technologies to:
- Keep the site working properly
- Remember preferences, including the zip code you type into the plant finder so the site can show plants near you on your next visit (it is kept in your browser and you can clear it with the X next to the zip)
- Measure traffic and performance
- Support advertising and affiliate tracking (where applicable)
Your choices:
You can control cookies through your browser settings. If you use a cookie consent banner, you can also manage preferences there. Disabling cookies may impact how well parts of the site work.
3) how we use your information
We use information to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the site
- Respond to questions and messages
- Send email updates if you opt in (you can unsubscribe anytime)
- Understand site performance, content interest, and traffic sources
- Support advertising and measurement (where applicable)
- Protect against spam, abuse, and security issues
- Comply with legal obligations
4) advertising
CMI Marketing, Inc., d/b/a Raptive (“Raptive”) is a service provider of this Site for the purposes of placing advertising on the Site, and Raptive will collect and use certain data for advertising purposes. To learn more about Raptive’s data usage, click here: https://raptive.com/creator-advertising-privacy-statement/
Meta and Pinterest
We also use the Meta Pixel (from Meta Platforms, Inc., which runs Facebook and Instagram) and the Pinterest Tag (from Pinterest, Inc.), along with their server-side versions, Meta’s and Pinterest’s Conversions APIs. They let Meta and Pinterest know when someone visits a page, signs up for our newsletter, downloads a Garden Recipe™, leaves a garden note, or clicks through to a nursery, a bookshop or a store. We use this to see which of our posts and ads actually help people, and to show our posts and ads to people who have visited this site (and people like them) on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
What they receive: the page address, what happened (for example, “signed up”), your IP address and browser details, and IDs from Meta’s and Pinterest’s own cookies. If you’ve given us your email, for example by signing up for the newsletter, we also send a scrambled (hashed) version of it so they can match the visit to an account you already have with them. We never send your email in readable form, and we don’t send anything you write to us.
Meta and Pinterest use this data under their own policies: Meta Privacy Policy and Pinterest Privacy Policy.
Your choice. You can turn this off for this browser at any time:
We also honor Global Privacy Control automatically. If your browser sends that signal, Meta and Pinterest tracking never turns on. You can manage the ads you see in your Meta ad preferences and your Pinterest privacy settings.
5) when we share information
We share information only as needed to run the site, including with:
- Service providers who help us operate (hosting, analytics, email delivery, forms, customer support, advertising partners)
- Advertising platforms (Meta and Pinterest), as described in section 4
- Payment processors if you make a purchase (they process payment and may collect billing details)
- Legal and safety needs if required to comply with law, enforce policies, or protect rights/safety
- Business transfers if the business is reorganized, merged, or sold (your data may transfer as part of that process)
6) third-party tools and embedded content
This site may use third-party services that collect data under their own privacy practices. Examples:
- Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Plausible, etc.)
- Email marketing (e.g., Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)
- Video embeds (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo)
- Social embeds (e.g., Instagram, TikTok)
- Maps or other widgets
Embedded content may behave as if you visited the third-party site directly (including setting cookies). If you want maximum control, consider using privacy-focused browser settings and limiting third-party cookies.
External links
Our Services may contain links to third-party websites or services. Any access to and use of those third-party sites is not governed by this Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of third parties, and we encourage you to read the privacy policies of every site you visit. This Privacy Policy applies only to our Services.
7) email communications
If you subscribe to emails, we may send newsletters, updates, and occasional announcements.
- Unsubscribe: Every email includes an unsubscribe link.
- Data: Email platforms may track basic engagement like opens and clicks to help us improve what we send.
8) affiliate links and recommendations
Some pages may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you buy through a link. This does not change your price. Affiliate partners may use cookies to track referrals.
We only recommend products/services we believe are useful, but you should always do your own homework before buying anything.
9) data retention
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
Examples:
- Contact form messages may be retained to handle follow-ups and support.
- Analytics data may be retained in aggregated form to understand long-term site performance.
10) security
We use reasonable safeguards to protect information. No website can guarantee perfect security, but we take the basics seriously (secure hosting, updates, access controls, monitoring where available).
11) children’s privacy
This site is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child provided personal information, contact us at hello@theplantnative.com and we’ll take steps to delete it.
12) your privacy rights (depending on where you live)
United States (general)
You can request to:
- Access or update your personal information
- Delete your personal information (where applicable)
- Opt out of marketing emails (via unsubscribe link)
California privacy notice (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights, including the right to request:
- The categories of personal information collected
- The categories of sources and purposes for collection
- The categories of third parties we share with
- Deletion of personal information (with certain exceptions)
- Correction of inaccurate personal information
- Opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information
We don’t sell personal information for money. We do “share” some information with Meta and Pinterest for cross-context behavioral advertising, as California law defines it, in the ways described in section 4. You can opt out any time with the “Opt out of ad tracking” button in section 4, or by turning on Global Privacy Control in your browser, which we honor automatically.
To submit a request: hello@theplantnative.com with subject line “California Privacy Request.”
EU/UK (GDPR)
If you are in the EU/UK, you may have rights including access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, and data portability. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
If we rely on consent (for example, marketing emails or non-essential cookies), you can withdraw consent at any time.
If you visit from the EU or UK, the Meta Pixel and Pinterest Tag described in section 4 stay off unless you agree to personalized advertising in the consent pop-up shown to you on this site.
13) international visitors
If you visit from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States (or other locations where our service providers operate). By using the site, you understand your information may be transferred and processed outside your country of residence.
14) changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Effective date” at the top will reflect the latest version. If changes are significant, we may post a notice on the site.
15) contact us
Questions or requests? Email us at: hello@theplantnative.com