Ready to learn about local ecology!

Native Plants

Plants that grow naturally (we call them native) in a region are a crucial part of the ecosystem. Everyone in an ecosystem is connected by a food chain, and food chains start with the energy plants collect from the sun. Most insects require specific native plants to eat, they are then eaten by other animals, who are eaten by others, and so on; this is the way energy from the sun is shared through the food web in the ecosystem to sustain all life.

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Even humans rely on our food chain being intact and diverse.

When introduced, non-native plants can outnumber native plants, and it disrupts the ecosystem. Many non-native plants grow aggressively, cannot be eaten by insects, are not bothered by local diseases, and monopolize all the sun, water, and nutrients. This leaves our important native plants little to no resources, and they disappear altogether.

The benefits of native plants are many:

Native plants are usually low maintenance and because they are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require less water and no fertilizer
Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife, especially our pollinators
Native plants promote biodiversity and connect us to our natural heritage
Native plants are beautiful and show colorful displays throughout the seasons

Native plants include trees, shrubs, grasses and more, and can be started from seeds or young plants. It is advised to avoid mixed wildflower seeds because many of these packets contain seeds native to other countries. If you’d like to include more native plants in your yard or area, Iowa State Extension and Outreach has some tips. Also, Council Bluffs is a Bee City now!

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