Oklahoma Native Plants

Oklahoma native flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees are a powerful tool for conserving the state’s fragile and diverse pollinator populations. Oklahoma’s prairies traditionally provided food and shelter for many of our native bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. However, with habitat destruction and unsustainable farming and ranching practices, their habitat is dwindling.

Oklahoma native plants are an essential food source for pollinators and help to provide them with the environment they need to thrive. Flowers native to Oklahoma add brilliant color to gardens while providing much-needed nectar and pollen to the myriad of local insect species that call Oklahoma home.

By buying and planting Oklahoma native plants in your garden, you can assist in restoring Oklahoma’s pollinator habitats while enjoying beautiful blooms in your own backyard. If you want to find out more, this (very comprehensive) Kerr Centre guide goes into a lot of detail.

It's safe to say that Oklahoma is a nature-lover’s paradise, offering abundant amounts of unique and diverse plant species which can enhance any garden! Use our ZIP code native plant finder to discover the exact Oklahoma state plants that will do best in your garden.

Starting a pollinator garden in Oklahoma can be a rewarding experience with the right resources and preparation. Understanding the climate and gardening zones in your area is crucial to ensure success. Oklahoma includes five gardening zones, ranging from 6a to 8a, which can impact the type of plants you can grow and when they can be planted.

The state's distinct four seasons, including hot summers and mild to cold winters, also play a role in gardening. Summer temperatures can frequently reach the 90s and 100s, while winter temperatures can range from mild in the south to cold in the north. Spring is known for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, and autumn can bring additional precipitation. So there are certainly challenges when it comes to gardening in Oklahoma!

However, starting a garden in Oklahoma can be made easier by utilizing Oklahoma native flowers. These plants are already adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them less demanding in terms of maintenance and water. Incorporating Oklahoma native flowers and other native plants into your garden not only saves you time and resources but also supports your local ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabit them.

You can find a comprehensive Oklahoma native plants list on this page — simply browse our collections above! There are many beautiful and diverse native plants to choose from, including wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. By using Oklahoma plants, you can create a sustainable and low-maintenance landscape that thrives in the state's climate.

In addition to making gardening easier, using plants native to Oklahoma can also enhance the beauty of your garden. Oklahoma wildflowers, in particular, add vibrant colors and diverse textures to your landscape. With the vast array of native plants available, you can create a unique and personalized garden that showcases the best of Oklahoma's flora.

By using native plants, you can support the local ecosystem and contribute to stewarding the state's natural biodiversity. So, why not buy native plants for Oklahoma and start creating a beautiful and sustainable garden today?

Oklahoma is home to nearly a third of the 73 milkweed species found in the United States. These native milkweed plants come in a variety of colors, including white, orange, and pink, and play a crucial role in the survival of monarch butterflies. As the rapidly decreasing population of monarchs continues to worry experts, we must take action to protect these beautiful insects. And monarchs need milkweed, making it one of the most important Oklahoma native flowers.

Oklahoma is located in the heart of the monarch's migratory flyway, making it a crucial stop for these magnificent creatures. Milkweed serves as a vital source of food for monarch caterpillars, as well as a host for eggs and nectar for adult butterflies. By planting native milkweed and other nectar producing plants, we can support the entire ecosystem, from monarchs to the other creatures they attract, such as hummingbirds, beetles, and moths. And with those come predators like birds.

With its central location on the migratory path, Oklahoma has a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the future of the monarch butterfly. With efforts like the butterfly pocket prairie at Oklahoma State University and the Native Plant Corridor, which were certified as Monarch Waystations by Monarch Watch, we can ensure that these beloved creatures continue to thrive.

A garden full of native plants can save you a lot more money than you might think. Unlike many (but not all) non-native plants that require costly fertilizers, pesticides, and soil treatments, Oklahoma native plants are well adapted to the climate and soil conditions of Oklahoma.

With minimal inputs required, you will save on maintenance costs as well as reduce your water requirements. In addition to these cost savings, Plants native to Oklahoma provide numerous ecosystem services such as erosion control, habitat for pollinators and other Oklahoma wildlife, making them a great investment.

So if you're looking to save money while helping the environment at the same time, be sure to buy Oklahoma native plants for your garden today!

There are several species of invasive non-native plants in Oklahoma. These include the Callery Pear, English ivy, and many more. The Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council has done an impressive job of keeping tabs on these harmful species by developing a region-specific list of plants with invasive qualities, allowing the potential spread to be monitored and kept under control.

The Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council not only focuses on managing the issues caused by these invasive plants but also works hard to protect Oklahoma's rare and endangered plant species, which are given additional protection through state and federal law. Working together, we can all help conserve Oklahoma’s beautiful ecosystems.

Oklahoma is leading the way among states when it comes to revamping outdoor landscaping in the wake of rising environmental concerns and a desire for sustainable outdoor spaces. The anti-lawn movement has taken Oklahoma by storm, as the traditional lawn is now being seen as an outdated staple rather than an attractive feature of yards.

Oklahoma's evolving landscape reflects changing priorities that inherently prioritize eco-friendly solutions and native Oklahoma plants. Drought and vanishing insect populations, as well as other environmental issues, all make plants native to Oklahoma even more valuable additions to Oklahoma yards.

Oklahoma homeowners are also experimenting with eco-friendly lawns using native grasses that require less water and maintenance. Some are replacing their lawns entirely with garden beds filled with pollinator-friendly and edible plants. This trend towards more relaxed, wild-looking yards is driven not only by environmental concerns but also by the lack of affordable water to support millions of acres of lawns.

The COVID pandemic also played a role, as gardening became a popular hobby for many during lockdown, leading to an increased interest in the natural world. The rise in the number of millennials taking up gardening has absolutely fueled this growing trend.