Minnesota Native Plants

Minnesota provides great conditions for starting a pollinator garden — and it’s easier than you might think to get started. Minnesota is categorized into multiple growing zones based on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map of 2012, with the state including the zone ranges 3a to 5a.

To ensure success with plants native to Minnesota, anyone looking to start a pollinator garden can use our native plant finder to gather information on what native flowers will thrive in the area. So, wherever you live in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, the ZIP code native plant finder has got you covered!

Very much so. Minnesota is a beautiful state, home to an amazing array of native plants and wildlife that thrive in various ecosystems. From dry prairies and wooded oak forests to wetlands and marshes, Minnesota's incredible landscapes house an abundance of natural diversity.

With natives like little bluestem grass and milkweed, our Minnesota landscapes come alive with beauty every season. If you're looking to buy native plants for Minnesota's gardens and yards, there is no shortage of hardy, vibrant, and resilient native species readily available.

By protecting and cultivating Minnesota's native plant populations, we ensure that Minnesota remains home to unique local ecosystems. Most importantly, these ecosystems support a great diversity of species of plants and animals alike. Buying Minnesota native plants or supporting organizations that assist with planting is a great way to ensure Minnesota's diverse ecosystems survive into the future.

Weirdly, no. It might seem like the obvious thing to do, but it’s actually illegal! Minnesota is home to a wide variety of wildflowers, plants, and native species, and many are now listed as officially threatened or endangered. Of Minnesota's 2,024 vascular plant species, 179 have reached the endangered or threatened status due in part to human interference with their ecosystems.

It is illegal to import, transport, buy, or sell any endangered plant species without a special permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Despite this restriction, there are still plenty of Minnesota native plants and flowers out there for you to purchase and plant at home! Though it may not always be easy work, planting Minnesota's native species helps protect the unique identity of Minnesota's ecology and keeps our environment safe from invasive species.

Minnesota is known for its wide variety of weather conditions. Minnesota has four distinct seasons — frigid winter months, mild spring temperatures, warm and humid summers, and beautiful autumns. However, the state generally has colder winters than many other parts of the United States, with weather that can reach temperature extremes as low as -60 degrees Celsius with strong winds and heavy snowfall.

This can pose a challenge to plant life, but plants native to this region have adapted over time to survive the cold climate. Some handy winter gardening tips combined with the right native plants are often all you need! The state is quite diverse when it comes to flora, and there are plenty of Minnesota native plants that can handle the hardy climate.

It sure is! Minnesota is taking action to combat declining bee populations in the state by offering an exciting cost-share program, Lawns to Legumes! Minnesota residents with planting space outside can apply for up to $350 in funding to help create a home for bees as part of Minnesota's ambitious plan.

Homeowners can support Minnesota’s wildlife by converting their traditional lawns into bee-friendly oases full of wildflowers and other plants on the Minnesota native plants list. Now you can be sure that when you're relaxing in your garden, you’ll also be helping Minnesota's bee populations blossom.

The Lawns to Legumes program provides education, coaching, and resources necessary for Minnesota residents interested in replacing their usual grass lawn with wildflowers or other plants from the Minnesota native plants list. The grants are provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, with the emphasis being on social acceptance of the deviation from traditional turf grass instead of the money itself.

Edina city officials have suspended weed ordinance enforcement during No-Mow May for pollinator-friendly lawns in support of this program, showing communities can make a difference when they come together! It’s no wonder the anti-lawn movement is gaining so much traction in Minnesota!

Unfortunately, there are. Minnesota is home to a beautiful variety of wildflowers, other native plants, and natural resources. Unfortunately, the state is also threatened by the invasion of buckthorn, zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, wild parsnip, garlic mustard, and many more.

Although non-native plants aren’t always bad for the local environment, many non-native species negatively affect our health, ecosystem, and economy. Despite the potential danger these species pose to Minnesota's environment, it is possible to prevent them from gaining a foothold by understanding Minnesota's native plant list and then taking intentional steps to reduce their spread. The Minnesota Master Naturalist has some great resources for finding and getting rid of invasive non-native plants.

Minnesota is home to a stunning biodiversity of species, and one of its most beloved insect residents is the monarch butterfly. Its bright orange and black wings make it a Minnesota icon, found in backyards, parks, and rural areas during summer. These popular butterflies have not yet been listed under the Endangered Species Act, but they are a candidate for listing.

Milkweed species, several of which are native to Minnesota, are vital to include in your garden if you want to help monarch butterflies to survive. Milkweed and monarchs have a unique relationship; their caterpillars exclusively eat milkweed, so without it growing in abundance, these beautiful creatures are left unable to reproduce. A wider diversity of nectar-producing plants are critical to supporting monarchs after they complete metamorphosis.

The once-increasing numbers of monarch butterfly populations have now been on the decline for over a decade, making it even more important to focus on restoring native milkweed and other nectar-producing plant patches across Minnesota to reverse this trend and give the imperiled butterflies a brighter future. The good news is that plenty of Minnesota organizations are working to save monarch butterflies. With a little effort, the amazing migrating monarchs can find the nourishment they need to come back every year!