West Virginia Native Plants

West Virginia is home to a bountiful array of native plants and animals. It is known for its mountainous terrain, which provides great habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

It is no surprise that West Virginia is nicknamed “The Mountain State,” as it’s the only state that falls completely within the Appalachian Mountain Region. Just over 79% of West Virginian land is forested, with over 12 million acres of forested land, providing many excellent trails and spaces for exploration.

West Virginians are proud of their state’s incomparable beauty. They have worked hard to expand efforts to sustainably cultivate and protect their native plants and wildlife so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

West Virginia proudly adopted the monarch butterfly as its official state butterfly in 1995. The insect still exists across the state but contends with an uncertain future. In December 2020, a proposal was made to list the monarch as threatened under the endangered species act, and it has become a candidate for listing.

The first stages of a monarch butterfly's life cycle depend entirely on milkweed, the only plant that it eats as a caterpillar. Milkweed is vital for their development, and is a nectar source for adult monarchs. West Virginia state plants, such as milkweed and other nectar-producing plants, are essential to the annual survival of monarch butterflies.

Each fall, migratory monarch butterflies set off on an amazing journey from as far north as Canada down through the United States to Mexico. Through successive generations, they finally return north in the spring. So, If you're looking to support West Virginia's ecosystems and help our winged friends complete their journeys each year, we recommend buying milkweed and other nectar-producing plants.

Plants native to West Virginia are a great tool for designing beautiful and sustainable landscapes, as the state has a wealth of wildflowers, herbs, grasses, trees, and shrubs to choose from. Incorporating West Virginia native plants into your landscape can provide valuable resources for sustaining local wildlife.

West Virginia natives tend to be hardier than most non-native species and generally require less maintenance or chemical use. When buying West Virginia native plants, focus on selecting species well-adapted to West Virginia's climate and soils. Follow guidelines set out by the US Department of Agriculture or consult with your local county extension office or horticulture professional for more advice on which West Virginia native plants will thrive in your garden.

West Virginia is blessed with an abundance of native plants that provide habitats and vital food sources for pollinators. By investing in native plants, you can easily create a breathtaking garden full of colorful flowers that cater to all kinds of pollinators.

It doesn't matter if you live on several acres or a small plot; there are plenty of West Virginia native plant options suited for both indoor and outdoor settings. Planting these natives and building sustainable pollinator habitats couldn’t be easier or more rewarding!

Do you ever look out the window and feel your lawn looks like a monotonous strip of grass? With the anti-lawn movement on the rise, there is an alternative. West Virginia is home to many native plants that are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, lasting throughout all four seasons.

This option not only adds dynamic color and texture to any landscape but can also significantly reduce water usage while promoting biodiversity — something that traditional lawns lack. If you’re ready to embrace this shift in outdoor designing and make a difference in West Virginia's nature conservation, consider buying native plants for your landscape. It’s a sustainable choice that lets you and your lawn thrive!

It’s much better to have a diversity of West Virginia native plants in your garden. Plant an array of flowers with different colors, shapes, and bloom times, and aim for plants that bloom in succession from early March to late July. West Virginia has a bounty of native plants, which can offer a stunning palate of colorful blooms throughout the growing season.

Native plants are also more adapted to West Virginia's climates and soils than most non-natives, so they will perform well without much fussing on your part. So buy native plants for West Virginia and get planting!

Good news for procrastinators. Leaving some fall leaf litter, seedheads, and other vegetation intact over the winter gives native pollinators in West Virginia a place to seek refuge during colder months. So why not let part of your yard go wild to offer much-needed refuge for your local pollinators?

This is a great way to reconnect with West Virginia's native species without doing an excessive amount of tidying up. Yay for procrastination!

So if you're looking for meaningful ways to protect West Virginia's unique wildlife, try letting a small part of your yard frame their sanctuary from the chill.

West Virginia native plants, when grown in their preferred environment, rarely require the use of chemical insecticides and fungicides. Minimizing or eliminating these chemicals is healthier for our environment and a plant’s overall health.

For most West Virginia native flowers, a simple spray of water from the hose often knocks down pests such as aphids to acceptable levels. When it comes to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, sometimes it is best to dispose of diseased plants rather than try to battle an ongoing issue with chemicals. So, limit your use of potentially hazardous chemicals and enjoy West Virginia’s wonderful and diverse native plants!

You can find out more by checking out our beginner guide to pollinator planting.

Most of West Virginia is located in gardening zone 6b to 7a. That means you have a lot of growing options to consider! West Virginia has quite a unique climate too, and gardeners can easily take advantage of West Virginia's humid, subtropical climate and four distinct seasons.

Planting West Virginia native plants will bring a unique feel to your garden that you can't find elsewhere. With West Virginia's growing zones and climate conditions, there is something special waiting for any gardener who decides to plant West Virginia native plants!

Sunshine can vary depending on your location. Plants and sunlight go hand in hand, so if you're planning a garden, consider whether it gets full sun or part shade. Doing this can help you get the most out of West Virginia's plentiful sun and will allow you to create a vibrant garden with plenty of West Virginia native plants!