New Jersey Native Plants

Every year, the monarch butterfly migrates to warmer temperatures. On their migration, they pass through and have a pitstop in New Jersey. It’s a phenomenon that’s often much anticipated, not just for the spectacle. Environmental, economic, and educational reasons make the annual migration of monarch butterflies so exciting.

It used to be that tourists would flock to Cape May every year to witness the huge congregation of monarchs. But as the number of monarch butterflies has dwindled, so too have the tourists. Both are now a fraction of what they used to be. It’s not just happy tourists dwindling in numbers that are affecting the economy of New Jersey, either.

The good news is that New Jersey has recognized the importance of making changes. Monarch-enhancing initiatives have been implemented in the forests and parks of New Jersey, and there is a range of tracking and conservation programs running at educational facilities and by conservation organizations.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has also developed the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge program. The program’s goal is to encourage mayors to commit to helping Monarch butterflies thrive. In New Jersey alone, the following have already signed up:

• Caldwell in Essex County
• Middle Township in Cape May County
• East Amwell Township in Hunterdon County
• Princeton in Mercer County
• Roosevelt in Monmouth County.

However, you can also take plenty of actions as a New Jerseyan, including getting involved with one of the many Community Wildlife Habitat initiatives in the state.

While New Jersey native plants are vital for a healthy ecosystem, planting milkweed is essential to help monarch butterflies. While adult monarchs will feed on the nectar provided by a wide range of plants, they will only reproduce where milkweed is planted.

That’s because monarch caterpillars will only feed on milkweed leaves. It’s the only host plant for monarchs, so it's critical to have in your New Jersey pollinator garden.

The good news is that there’s a lot you can do, no matter the size of your outdoor space. First, read our guide to milkweed and monarch butterflies to get a clearer idea of what needs to be done. Then, look at our collections above. There are some New Jersey-specific native plants and plant collections we’ve designed specifically for monarch butterflies, including the Monarch Munchables 12-Plant Collection.

The whole of the US has a problem with non-native invasive plants. They cause serious harm to local ecosystems because they outcompete native plants for food, light, and space. And if a non-native plant isn’t invasive , many types require much more maintenance, including pesticides and fertilizers in a garden setting, which also cause harm to the local ecosystem.

Some of the most threatening invasive species in New Jersey to watch out for are:

• Chinese Wisteria
• English Ivy
• Butterfly Bush
• Japanese Honeysuckle
• Norway maple.

This isn’t the complete list, and you can find out more by checking out the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space’s Do Not Plant list, compiled by the non-profit’s New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team.

In New Jersey alone, it is estimated that invasive species of plants impact the local economy to the tune of around $290 million per year. So make sure you're up to date on the plants to avoid and the invasive species to remove (carefully) from your garden, and transform your garden with New Jersey native plants.