The Difference Between Native, Non-Native & Invasive Plants (With Real-Life Garden Examples)

As gardeners, we often choose plants based on beauty, scent, or nostalgia—but what if our plant choices could also nurture the ecosystem around us? Understanding the differences between native, non-native and invasive plants helps us differentiate the plants that are actually providing in abundance for our ecosystem and plants that may provide only beauty.

In this post, I’ll break down the categories and make them easy to understand. Help you understand what is largely beneficial and what may need to go, so you can have a beautiful, thriving ecosystem full of life!

Native plants are the originals on the block. They have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, in a specific region, evolving and forming relationships with the climate, soil, pollinators, and wildlife. Because of this, native plants tend to be low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and incredibly important for biodiversity. In my opinion it’s not the fact that they’ve been in a specific region but that they contribute to that specific region. Making them a part of the food web and much more.

Why grow them?

• Native plants support a diverse range of native wildlife, including pollinators, by providing food and habitat
• Native plants are adapted to local conditions, requiring less water and maintenance than non-native or invasive plants
• Native plants have deep, extensive root systems that help to filter water, recharge groundwater, and reduce storm-water runoff and flooding
• Their deep roots also help to stabilize soil, preventing erosion and reducing sediment runoff into waterways
• Native plants help to sequester carbon deep in their roots
• They are less prone to pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers that can pollute local rivers and streams
• They also provide for beneficial insects that pray upon the pests that eat our garden, creating balance

Check out this Grow It Build It blog on “How To Start A Native Plant Garden From Scratch“

Native Garden Plants

Here’s a list of some my favorites that I’m currently growing. Most of these already have blogs, just click on the name.

• Swamp Milkweed / Rose Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
  A critical monarch host plant that also supports a wide range of native bees and beneficial insects in moist soils. This one seems to be a bumble bee favorite in my yard.
• Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
  A fast-growing annual that fixes nitrogen in poor soils while feeding pollinators and ground-feeding birds.
• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
  A wetland shrub that blooms when few others do, supporting native bees, butterflies, and aquatic food webs while stabilizing soils along water edges.
• Palm Sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
  A moisture-tolerant sedge that stabilizes soil, provides cover for wildlife, and functions as a low-maintenance ground layer.
• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
  A drought-tolerant native grass that offers nesting habitat, erosion control, and winter structure for birds.
• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
  A deep-rooted prairie grass that improves soil health, manages water runoff, and supports numerous grassland species.
• Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
  A host plant for American lady butterflies that thrives in lean soils and provides late-season nectar.
• Rose Mallows (Hibiscus laevis & Hibiscus moscheutos)
  Large-flowered wetland natives that support pollinators in late summer and reflect the region’s historic floodplain ecosystems.
• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
  A striking native perennial that provides essential late-season nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.
• Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
  A pollinator magnet with long-lasting blooms that supports bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects in sunny gardens.
• Native Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
  Keystone fall bloomers that fuel migrating pollinators and serve as host plants for numerous moth and butterfly species.
• Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
  A prairie specialist that supports native bees, predatory wasps, and rare moth species through both nectar and host relationships.

Non-native plants, also known as exotics or introduced species, are plants that originated somewhere else but have been brought to your region—often by humans. Many of them are perfectly well-behaved and add value to the garden. Think of these as “well-behaved guests.”

They’re okay when:

• They don’t aggressively spread or crowd out native plants
• They still support pollinators or serve an ornamental role
• They’re kept in check and monitored over time

Garden example:
Lets take lavender, for instance. Not native to my area (native to the Mediterranean), but it fits right in without causing trouble. The bees love it, and it adds that perfect cottage garden vibe. Plus, I love brushing my hands through it in the evening and catching that calming scent.

Here’s where things get tricky. Invasive plants are non-natives that spread rapidly and disrupt natural systems. They often outcompete native species, reduce biodiversity, and alter habitats in ways that can be hard to reverse. These are the bullies of the plant world that don’t play nice!

Why they’re a problem:

• Invasive plants often have traits that allow them to grow faster and more efficiently than native plants, leading to a decline in native plant populations
• They can change the structure and function of ecosystems, reducing the availability of suitable habitats for native plants and animals
• They’re tough to control once established, VERY tough to control
• They can change soil chemistry or increase fire risk
• Their shallow roots can increase soil erosion, leading to sedimentation in waterways and decreased water quality
• Invasive plants often have high water requirements, which can deplete water resources and make it harder for native plants to survive
• Invasive plants can invade agricultural lands, reducing crop yields and harming livestock grazing
• Controlling and eradicating invasive plants can be costly, requiring significant resources from governments, landowners, and organizations
• Invasive plants can damage infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and pipelines, by taking over vegetation and weakening structures

Garden example:
The field behind my house is owned by the railroad (not the picture above lol). Its not maintained just left to grow wild. I have gone through and identified 26 species, 4 of them native, 5 of them invasive and the rest were non-invasive. The problem is the invasive have taken up at least 80% of the land. To be honest if it wasn’t for the Canadian goldenrod that number would be closer to 95%

Your garden is part of a much larger ecological web. Every plant you choose effects the balance of your ecosystem. It affects the soil microbes, birds, bees and much more! It even effects neighboring habitats. All of the invasive’s in the field behind my house all came originally from gardening stores or landscaping companies. By choosing more natives and avoiding invasive’s, you’re creating a space that’s not just beautiful, but beneficial.

If no insects are feeding on the plants, what’s keeping them in check? And if an invasive plant takes over, it can crowd out native species that local insects rely on for food—disrupting the whole food web, which ultimately supports us too.

Tips for Gardening Responsibly

• Do a little research. Use plant apps then refer to native plant finders or check with local extension services to learn what thrives in your area.
• Ask your nursery. Don’t be afraid to ask where a plant is from and whether it’s invasive in your region.
• Be cautious with gifts and trades. Sometimes, those free “pass-along” plants are invasive hitchhikers in disguise.
• Start small. Even one native plant can make a difference. You don’t need to tear out your whole garden—just make mindful swaps where you can.

Understanding the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants isn’t about guilt or perfection—it’s about being more connected to the land we garden on. Native gardening has become a fairly new thing and that’s because we couldn’t see the outcome until it smacked us in the face.

So the more we watch, try things out, and learn, the better we get at keeping things in balance—and passing that knowledge on to the next generation.

So, what’s growing in your garden? Grab a plant ID app and take a walk around the yard—see what you’re growing! These apps aren’t perfect, but they’re super helpful as a starting point. Got a story about discovering native or invasive plants? Drop it in the comments—and don’t forget to follow along on Instagram for more native plant content!

Cheer’s to more thoughtful planting, fewer regrets, and a whole lot more gratitude.