Why Native Plants?
Discover the fascinating world of native plants and their essential role in creating thriving ecosystems
If the term "native plants" is brand new to you, don't worry, I've got you covered. The idea behind native plants is simple: they're plants that grew and evolved in harmony alongside the rest of the species in their ecosystem.
Sometimes when I talk about this with folks I can practically hear them thinking "Oh, the 'boring' plants". But the idea that native plants are less interesting because they're not exotic or genetically modified couldn't be further from the truth.
Consider the Caterpillar
Yes, the lowly caterpillar. For such a miniature insect, it certainly has an outsized impact on its surrounding habitat. Its life begins by hatching from an egg, and eating its way through whatever plants it can get its tiny hands on. These almost microscopic attacks on plants lead many of them to release chemical signals which deter other herbivores in the area, keeping the plant-eating populations in check.
As they grow older, some caterpillars find themselves prey of parasitoids like wasps or flies, and serve as a necessary part of their diet. Those parasitoids in turn are a critical part of the diet of other insects and birds, and so on it goes.
A monarch caterpillar feeds on showy milkweed on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS
If a caterpillar should live long enough to wrap itself in a cocoon of its own making, it will emerge transcendent; literally metamorphosed into a butterfly or a moth, which of course are an essential part of the pollination cycle on this planet. No pollinators means no berries, no flowers, and thus no bees, no birds, no rabbits, no foxes, no deer, etc.
A 22-year study conducted in Costa Rica found that a 40% drop in caterpillar populace directly led to a drop in parasitoid and bird populations, and a decrease in the biodiversity of the habitat overall.
Plants Are Friends, Not Just Food
To bring this back to native plants, it's really impossible to overstate the importance they have on the rest of the habitat. When non-native plants displace native ones, they often fail to provide the nutrients or habitats that local wildlife needs. And in many cases, non-native plants are completely inhospitable to the insects that form the foundation of the ecosystem's food chain.
The Butterfly Bush Trap
A perfect example of this is the butterfly bush. I don't know how many times I've come across pollinator garden plans online that feature butterfly bushes. True to their name, they offer rich and plentiful nectar for butterflies to feast on as they travel from yard to yard or plant to plant; but perhaps it should be better known as the "butterfly-only" bush, because it is certainly not a friend to the eggs that many butterflies leave behind.
Caterpillars that are hatched from those eggs often starve because the plants nutrients are not sufficient for their dietary needs.
Multiple butterflies flit around a garden in Southwest USA
A Symbiont Circle
The coolest part of learning about native plants, is that the more you look, the more you see that each one has its set of 'superpowers' it offers to the rest of the ecosystem.
Sweetbay Magnolia
East Coast roots that suck up excess nitrogen and phosphorus, filtering water in wetlands and decreasing the likelihood of algae blooms.
Fire Poppy
California seeds require intense heat and ash to germinate, creating seas of bright orange flowers after wildfires to stabilize soil.
Bullhorn Acacia
Central American trees with fascinating symbiotic relationships with ants—providing food while ants defend against herbivores.
These are just a few examples of the ways that native plants serve as a cornerstone of the natural world, in really cool ways. To sum it up, I would probably just say planning a garden with native plants can transform your environment in ways you might not expect.
Just wait until you catch your first glimpse of a hummingbird darting between flowers, hear the contented buzz of a bee at work, or spot a butterfly mid-migration.
Native plants aren't just beautiful—they're essential. When you choose them, you're not just planting a garden. You're supporting an entire web of life.