Story by Nancy Maffia | October 6, 2024 | Nature of Home
In environmental challenges, native plants will be the stars of sustainable gardening. These indigenous species, which evolved over millennia to thrive in their local ecosystems, offer a myriad of benefits for both gardeners and the environment.
Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native species, making them easier to maintain and more environmentally friendly.
Here are 18 native U.S. plants that not only beautify your garden but also contribute to ecological balance and potentially serve as valuable resources in times of need.
- Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
Helianthus tuberosus
Also known as sunchokes, these sunflower relatives produce edible tubers packed with inulin, a prebiotic fiber. They’re incredibly easy to grow and can survive in various conditions, making them perfect for survival gardens.
Jerusalem artichokes are high in iron, potassium, and vitamin C.
Planting guide:
- Plant tubers 4-6 inches deep in spring
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Harvest in fall after frost kills the foliage
- Leave some tubers in the ground for next year’s crop
- American Groundnut (Apios americana)©Image Credit: ChWeiss/Deposit Photos
Apios americana
This native vine produces protein-rich tubers and edible beans. It’s a perennial that can fix nitrogen in the soil, improving overall garden health. Groundnuts were a staple food for many Native American tribes and early settlers.
Planting guide:
- Plant tubers 3-4 inches deep in spring
- Provide support for vines to climb
- Harvest tubers in fall after 2-3 years of growth
- Leave some tubers for future harvests
- Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum)©Image Credit: Hardyplants at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Allium tricoccum
Also called ramps, these pungent plants offer both edible leaves and bulbs. They’re rich in vitamins A and C, and have been used medicinally by Native Americans. Wild leeks grow naturally in deciduous forests but can be cultivated in shaded gardens.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds in the fall or early spring
- Plant in rich, moist soil with partial shade
- Harvest leaves in spring, bulbs in late summer
- Allow some plants to mature for seed production
- Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)©Image Credit: EQRoy/Shutterstock
Asimina triloba
The largest edible fruit native to North America, pawpaws are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. These trees produce custard-like fruit with a tropical flavor. Pawpaws are naturally pest-resistant and require little maintenance once established.
Planting guide:
- Plant seedlings in spring after the last frost
- Space trees 15-25 feet apart
- Provide partial shade for young trees
- Harvest fruit in late summer or early fall
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)©Image Credit: Delfinkina/Deposit Photos
Sambucus canadensis
These versatile shrubs produce edible flowers and berries high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Native Americans used elderberries for food, medicine, and dyes. The berries can be made into jams, syrups, and wines.
Planting guide:
- Plant cuttings or seedlings in spring
- Space plants 6-8 feet apart
- Provide full sun to partial shade
- Harvest flowers in spring, berries in late summer
- Cattail (Typha latifolia)©Image Credit: YK1500/Deposit Photos
Typha latifolia
Often overlooked, cattails are a survival superfood. Nearly every part of the plant is edible at different times of the year. They’re rich in starch, protein, and various vitamins. Cattails also have medicinal uses and can be used for cordage.
Planting guide:
- Plant rhizomes in shallow water or wet soil
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart
- Harvest shoots in spring, pollen in summer, roots in fall
- Allow some plants to mature for natural spread
- American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)©Image Credit: Funtay/Shutterstock
Diospyros virginiana
These trees produce sweet, nutritious fruits high in vitamins A and C. Persimmons can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in baking. The wood is also valuable for tools and fuel. Native Americans used persimmons as a food staple and for medicinal purposes.
Planting guide:
- Plant seedlings in spring or fall
- Space trees 20-30 feet apart
- Provide full sun and well-drained soil
- Harvest fruits after the first frost for the best flavor
- Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)©Image Credit: TippyTortue/Shutterstock
Chenopodium album
Often considered a weed, lambsquarters is actually a nutrient-dense green. It’s high in vitamins A and C, calcium, and protein. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the seeds can be ground into flour. This hardy plant often grows voluntarily in gardens.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart
- Harvest young leaves throughout the growing season
- Allow some plants to go to seed for future crops
- American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)©Image Credit: Oksana Shevchenko/Shutterstock
Corylus americana
These shrubs produce protein-rich nuts that can be stored for long periods. Hazelnuts are also high in healthy fats and vitamin E. The shrubs can form thickets, providing natural fencing and wildlife habitat.
Planting guide:
- Plant bare-root shrubs in early spring
- Space plants 4-6 feet apart
- Provide full sun to partial shade
- Harvest nuts in the fall when husks turn brown
- Wild Rice (Zizania palustris)©Image Credit: Karel Bock/Shutterstock
Zizania palustris
This aquatic grass produces nutritious grains high in protein and fiber. Wild rice was a staple food for many Native American tribes. It grows naturally in shallow lakes and slow-moving rivers but can be cultivated in wet areas.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds in 6-12 inches of water in spring
- Space plants 1-2 feet apart
- Provide full sun and calm water
- Harvest grains in late summer or early fall
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)©Image Credit: Tom Meaker/Shutterstock
Amelanchier
Also known as juneberry or saskatoon, these shrubs or small trees produce sweet, nutritious berries. The fruits are high in iron, calcium, and antioxidants. Serviceberries were widely used by Native Americans for food and medicine.
Planting guide:
- Plant seedlings in spring or fall
- Space plants 10-15 feet apart
- Provide full sun to partial shade
- Harvest berries in early summer when fully ripe
- Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)©Image Credit: ksena32/Deposit Photos
Urtica dioica
Don’t let the sting scare you – nettles are incredibly nutritious. They’re high in iron, calcium, and protein. Young leaves can be cooked like spinach or dried for tea. Nettles also have numerous medicinal uses and can be used for cordage.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds or transplant root divisions in spring
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Provide partial shade and moist soil
- Harvest young leaves before flowering, wearing gloves
- American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)©Image Credit: Pittillo, Dan J., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Panax quinquefolius
This valuable medicinal herb has been used for centuries to boost energy and reduce stress. While slow-growing, ginseng can be a valuable addition to a survival garden. It prefers shaded, woodland conditions.
Planting guide:
- Plant seeds or roots in the fall
- Space plants 6-8 inches apart
- Provide deep shade and rich, well-drained soil
- Harvest roots after 5-7 years of growth
- Blackberry (Rubus spp.)©Image Credit: RussieseO/Shutterstock
Rubus
These thorny shrubs produce delicious, nutrient-rich berries. Blackberries are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and young leaves can also be used for tea. The plants are hardy and can form natural barriers.
Planting guide:
- Plant canes in spring after the last frost
- Space plants 3-4 feet apart
- Provide full sun and well-drained soil
- Harvest berries in mid to late summer
- Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)©Image Credit: V_Nikitenko/Deposit Photos
Portulaca oleracea
Often considered a weed, purslane is actually a nutritional powerhouse. It’s one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids and is high in vitamins A and C. The entire plant is edible and has a slightly sour, lemony flavor.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart
- Provide full sun and well-drained soil
- Harvest leaves and stems throughout the growing season
- Hickory (Carya spp.)©Image Credit: marilia17juni@yahoo.de/Deposit Photos
Carya
These large trees produce nutrient-dense nuts high in healthy fats and protein. Hickory wood is also valuable for tools and fuel. Native Americans used hickory nuts as a staple food and extracted oil from them.
Planting guide:
- Plant seedlings in spring or fall
- Space trees 40-60 feet apart
- Provide full sun and well-drained soil
- Harvest nuts in fall when they drop from trees
- Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)©Image Credit: Tyler Stuard/Shutterstock
Ilex vomitoria
Despite its scientific name, yaupon holly is not an emetic. This evergreen shrub produces leaves high in caffeine, making it the only native North American caffeine source.
Native Americans used it to brew a tea-like beverage, and the small red berries could also be used as dyes.
Planting guide:
- Plant seedlings in spring or fall
- Space plants 3-5 feet apart
- Provide full sun to partial shade
- Harvest leaves year-round, berries in fall
Native plants offer a wealth of benefits for both survival-minded gardeners and eco-conscious individuals. By incorporating these 18 native species into your garden, you’re not only preparing for potential emergencies but also supporting local ecosystems and wildlife.