The benefits of growing California native plants are vast: they increase biodiversity by providing habitat and food for native creatures. They’re highly sustainable and low maintenance because they’re adapted to California’s ecosystem. And of course, they’re just plain beautiful!
If you have a yard you can rip out and replace with natives—you absolutely should! Our Native Garden Kits make it easy.
But of course, in a city where more than half of residents are renters, not everyone has a large outdoor space. So here are some handy tips for how to plant a native plant garden if you DON’T have a yard!
Location, Location, Location
Even if your space is limited, it’s still important to select the best spot you can for your container garden.
An outdoor location with plenty of sun—like a patio or front stoop—is key. But many plants dry up quicker in a container than they would in the ground. So make sure you research each plant’s preferred conditions, and try to place them in a spot that is bright, but that won’t dry them out completely.
Pick the Right Plants
Many of our California plants have evolved to send deep roots into the soil, which can make some species difficult to grow in containers. However, other native plants do just fine in a limited space.
There a plenty of lists of container-friendly natives available online, and we’ve rounded up a few—including Hummingbird Sage, Lilac Verbena, Thrift Seapink, Western Columbine, Bush Monkey Flower, and Island Snapdragon—in our new “Colorful Containers” native garden kit!
Consider the Container
Even container-friendly native plants still enjoy having plenty of space to spread their roots, so choose a container that is 2 to 4 times as large as the plant’s current container. Feel free to experiment with planting multiple species in one large container, to create a more dynamic look. And using glazed pots or clustering containers together—especially during hot weather—can also help prevent moisture from evaporating.
Upkeep is Everything
While native plants in the ground tend to be EXTREMELY low maintenance, container natives might need a little extra love—especially if they’re in a small pot.
But we promise, they’re worth it! Pick a well-draining soil (adding perlite can help with this), and make sure it stays slightly moist at all times. Consider fertilizing your plants a couple of times a year. And place your plants in a location where you go often, and can keep an eye out for any issues. Seeing your plants grow and thrive is bound to make you happy, anyway!