According to the California Native Plant Society, native plants are those that grew here before European contact, co-evolving with animals, fungi, and microbes to form complex ecosystems.
California boasts a diverse range of ecosystems, with native plants thriving in various conditions, from extreme drought tolerance to wet habitats.
With over 6,000 native plant species, subspecies, and varieties, California harbors a quarter of all North American native plants, with one-third found exclusively in the state.
While many drought-tolerant plants are marketed, they may not be native to California, lacking adaptation to local soils, climate, and pollinators. Opting for plants suited to all garden conditions ensures greater success.
"Naturalized" plants, though drought-tolerant, are non-native species that can become invasive, threatening native biodiversity by outcompeting indigenous plants.
