Native Plant Month

April is Native Plant Month, which is a perfect time to learn about the importance of native species and plant a few in your garden!

About Native Plant Month

The movement of gardeners choosing to plant native is growing. Native plants are always the best bet when it comes to supporting their local wildlife. Many caterpillars have native host plants, while many native bees are pollen specialists for certain species of native plants. When you plant a variety of native species you’re supporting wildlife that need your help!

Did you know?

In 2023, a study found that 17 percent of U.S. adults (44.5 million) are purchasing plants that are native to their region. That’s up from 14% in 2019!

How You Can Participate

Plant Native Species in Your Garden

Use the code PLANTNATIVE15 for 15% off plant orders* at Garden for Wildlife Inc. and get native plants shipped right to your doorstep!

Garden for Wildlife Inc. ships to all 48 continental states and features collections of chemical-free plants that are backed by science to help the highest number of declining wildlife species.

Certify Your Native Plant Garden at 20% Off!

Planting native species in your garden provides most of the habitat essentials you need to get your garden certified! Celebrate your garden’s impact and get a sign that shows your neighbors the importance of your garden.

Use code GARDEN20 for 20% off your certification fee and a sign purchase this April.

Certified Wildlife Habitat Classic Sign mounted on post in garden

Use Our Educational Resources

Discover some native plant gardening tips through our many educational resources!

How the National Wildlife Federation is Advancing the Native Plant Movement

Yard by Yard

with over 330,000 Certified Wildlife Habitats® since 1973 featuring native plants as their centerpiece.

Neighborhood by Neighborhood

across approximately 400 communities through the Community Wildlife Habitat™ network since 1998.

State by State

through the Affiliate Habitat Network via native plant friendly policies, ordinances, plant sales and stewardship training.

Nationally

as a co sponsor of the National Native Seed Conference and supporting policies like National Native Plant Month Resolution, implementation of the National Native Seed Strategy and as a member of the Plant Conservation Alliance.

What is a native plant?

A plant is native if it has occurred naturally for thousands of years in a region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. These plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years, meaning that many native animals are dependent on these particular species to survive. Native plants are always the best bet when it comes to supporting their local wildlife.

What are the benefits of planting native species in my garden?

Native plants have a huge number of benefits. Including:

They support wildlife including butterflies, bees, and songbirds.
They thrive in the soils, moisture, and weather of your region, which means less supplemental watering and fertilizing.
They often have deeper root systems which help reduce watering needs, manage rainwater runoff, and maintain a healthy soil structure.
They are less prone to pest problems that may require toxic chemicals that can enter our ecosystems and waterways.

Learn more here.

If I plant native, can I get my garden certified?

The answer is probably yes! Planting species native to your region can count for many of the requirements to get certified. This is because native plants provide many of the habitat essentials needed to certify. Learn more and get certified here.

Authorship Note

Our educational resources like this one are written by NWF staff experts, who have both academic and practical experience in habitat restoration. All resources go through a rigorous science review process with our in-house scientists and receive regular updates to keep them current with the latest science. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.