Container-Suitable Native Plants

Container gardening can be a great way to get started with growing plants. If a balcony, deck, or doorstep is the only outdoors space you have, container gardening allows you to bring a spot of nature close to your home. Containers can also increase the number of plants you can grow, allowing you to bridge the gap between your home and garden.

wooden deck with planters — Ohio. This deck really feels like part of the garden with these vibrant planters all around.

plants with yellow, pinks, and greens — Tennessee. Window box garden attracted Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Garden for Birds Participant.

Pots in front of window — California. Patio garden attracted pollinators and a family of juncos that nested nearby. Participant 2025.

Native Plants by Region

Click your region/state/province to view container-suitable native plants. Save or print these documents for your future use.

United States

Alaska
California
Hawaiian Islands
North/Central
- IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI
Northeast
- CT, DE, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NJ, NH, NY, OH, PA, RI, WV, VA, VT

Northwest
- Parts of northern CA, ID, MT, OR, WA
South/Central
- AL, AR, LA, parts of MS, OK, TX
Southeast
- AL, GA, FL, NC, parts of MS, SC, TN
Southwest
- AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT

Canada

Tips and Tricks for Container-Suitable Native Plants

Containers may dry out more quickly than garden plots. Even drought-tolerant species may appreciate some extra water in dry years.

In northern latitudes, container-grown plants are more vulnerable to extremely low temperatures. In winter, consider extra insulation around and on top of containers using leaves, straw, or snow.

The risks of drought and freezing can be reduced in larger containers: these spaces contain more soil and moisture than small containers, providing more of a buffer to the outside air temperature.

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