Native Pollinator Plants

Recommended Native Plants

This is a list of suggested plants native to the Atlantic southeast. Most of the plants listed can be found in all three regions of North Carolina. This list is not intended to be comprehensive and only highlights a selection of plants that many nurseries and gardens centers are likely to carry. For more comprehensive lists of native plants, see links to additional resources below including NCWF’s suggested North Carolina regional native plant list.

You can also purchase NCWF's custom Butterfly Highway seed packets, which include the seeds of up to seven native plants that support pollinators and other wildlife!

A Note on Keystone Species

Keystone plants are the backbone of a healthy ecosystem. These are native plant species that play an outsized role in supporting wildlife, particularly insects that form the base of the food web. Research shows that just 14% of native plant species provide roughly 90% of the caterpillar food that fuels local ecosystems. Caterpillars are especially critical because they are a primary food source for birds and other species raising their young.

By planting keystone species, you are directly strengthening the entire web of life in your landscape.

For those interested in identifying the most impactful species for their region, the National Wildlife Federation provides a helpful resource: “Keystone Plants by Ecoregion.” By prioritizing these plants, you can turn any landscape into a thriving habitat that supports pollinators, birds, and the broader ecosystem.