The Native Plant 70/30 Rule

Native plants are all the rage, and for good reason. Planting local species will help the pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that desperately need our help. Use the 70/30 native plant to non-native plant ratio for eco-friendly garden design.

The native plant 70/30 rule allows some grace for the ornamental plant species not native to your area. It leaves room for the well-behaved exotic species, like lilacs and spring bulbs, that gardeners cherish.

Using this rule, your garden design will enhance and beautify the landscape. It will invite, rather than repel, the birds and bugs that frequent wild areas. The fun part lies in discovering what grows near you. Our country is host to an incredible variety of ecosystems with thousands of native plant species.

70% Native Plants

To follow the native plant 70/30 rule, dedicate the bulk of the garden to native plants. They should take up the majority of the spaces, from the trees to the annuals in ornamental beds. The more native species it hosts, the better your garden will be for the environment. 

It shouldn’t be difficult for the plant species to grow. They’ll thrive, as long as you choose plants that match the conditions of your garden. Choose moisture-loving shrubs for areas with standing water, and go for drought-tolerant local perennials in sunny sites.

Also, what’s native in your state may not be in the next one. Look to local resources from state universities and nonprofit organizations for information on what grows near you. Or, take a walk! Look around hiking trails, walkways, and wild spaces to see the trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that grow.

In the city, research the plants that used to grow in the region, or ones that grow right outside the city. Mountainside species are excellent options for apartment balconies; look for alpine plants that thrive at high altitudes.

30% Well-Behaved Non-Native Plants

Not all non-native plants are bad! Many eco-friendly plant species work well in the hard-to-grow places of the garden. Spring bulbs, for example, provide beautiful blooms before any other plants. Daffodils, tulips, and crocuses are harmless and easy-growing. 

If you have a garden full of raised beds for vegetables, consider converting your other ornamental plants to native plants. The veggies will make up the bulk of the 30% non-native species, while the surrounding trees and shrubs will provide habitat for wildlife.

Or, mix everything together! Plant native annual flowering plants in the veggie garden to invite insects to pollinate your crops. Grow a native maple tree next to your contorted Japanese maple. 

The only plant species to avoid are invasive ones. Invasives outcompete others and spread out of control. Their seeds spread into wild areas, and their rooting stems ramble over the precious native plants of gardens and landscapes.  

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