Native Plants for Idaho - What to Plant, and When
Idaho spans 2 ecoregions:North American DesertsNorthwestern Forested Mountains
137 plants on this site are native to Idaho, 26 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Idaho spans 2 ecoregions (North American Deserts, Northwestern Forested Mountains), and the plants here are the ones that evolved in them. Hardiness zones in the state run 3a to 7b, which is why the list sorts by zone rather than by state.
Start with the keystones (an oak or native cherry if you have room, then goldenrods, asters and milkweeds), and plant in early fall or early spring, at least six weeks before a frost. Pick your zone above and each plant shows its own sowing and bloom window for where you garden.
Arrowleaf Ragwort
Senecio triangularis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
Zones 6a–10b · native to 9 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 6a
Aspen Fleabane
Erigeron speciosus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Bigtooth Maple
Acer grandidentatum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states
Boxelder
Acer negundo
Zones 2a–9b · native to 48 states and provinces
Broom Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Zones 4a–9b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a
Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Douglas Aster
Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6a
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
Zones 4a–8a · native to 9 states
Geyer Willow
Salix geyeriana
Zones 3a–7b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 6a
Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a
Gray Alder
Alnus incana
Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces
Hairy False Goldenaster
Heterotheca villosa
Zones 4a–9a · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta
Zones 4a–7b · native to 14 states and provinces
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Zones 2a–7a · native to 32 states and provinces
Pin Cherry
Prunus pensylvanica
Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
Zones 3b–7b · native to 17 states and provinces
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Red Alder
Alnus rubra
Zones 6a–9b · native to 7 states and provinces
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Velvety Goldenrod
Solidago velutina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a
Water Birch
Betula occidentalis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Yellow Rabbitbrush
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
American Cranberrybush
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a
American Vetch
Vicia americana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a
American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a
Antelope Horns
Asclepias asperula
Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6a
Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a
Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6a
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 6a
Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 6a
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Bluebunch Wheatgrass
Pseudoroegneria spicata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Bluejoint
Calamagrostis canadensis
Zones 2a–7b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces
Broadleaf Lupine
Lupinus latifolius
Zones 5a–9a · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
Zones 8a–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6a
Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6a
Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Canadian Burnet
Sanguisorba canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 6a
Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 6a
Cascade Oregon Grape
Berberis nervosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Clustered Field Sedge
Carex praegracilis
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Common Bladderwort
Utricularia macrorhiza
Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Common Camas
Camassia quamash
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6a
Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a
Creeping Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium var. repens
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 6a
Cusick's Camas
Camassia cusickii
Zones 4a–8b · native to 2 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Cusick's Serviceberry
Amelanchier cusickii
Zones 4a–8a · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a
Desert Purple Sage
Salvia dorrii
Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Zones 4a–7b · native to 15 states and provinces
Douglas Spirea
Spiraea douglasii
Zones 5a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Dusky Penstemon
Penstemon whippleanus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Explorer's Gentian
Gentiana calycosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a
Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces
Goat's Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a
Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 6a
Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Indian Ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Juniper Bush
Juniperus communis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a
Lupin
Lupinus polyphyllus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 7 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Direct-sow ~4 wks before your last spring frost
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a
Mat Rock Spiraea
Petrophytum caespitosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a
Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata
Zones 6a–10b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Mock Orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Moss Campion
Silene acaulis
Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Mountain Coyote Mint
Monardella odoratissima
Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Mountain Snowberry
Symphoricarpos oreophilus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 11 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Zones 6a–10b · native to 10 states
Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 6a
Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a
Nootka Rose
Rosa nutkana
Zones 4a–9b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Orange Honeysuckle
Lonicera ciliosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6a
Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Oregon Sunshine
Eriophyllum lanatum
Zones 5a–10b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 6 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 6a
Pacific Dogwood
Cornus nuttallii
Zones 7a–9b · native to 5 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Pacific Ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a
Pleated Gentian
Gentiana affinis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6a
Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Purple Mountain Saxifrage
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Zones 1a–6b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Red Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Zones 2a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces
Red-twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a
River Beauty
Epilobium latifolium
Zones 1a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Rocky Mountain Columbine
Aquilegia caerulea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 6a
Salal
Gaultheria shallon
Zones 6a–9b · native to 6 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a
Scarlet Gaura
Gaura coccinea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 6a
Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a
Showy Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium pulcherrimum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 6a
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa
Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 6a
Silvery Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 6a
Sky Pilot
Polemonium viscosum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 6a
Sweet Flag
Acorus americanus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a
Twinberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6a
Twinflower
Linnaea borealis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a
Virginia Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a
Western Dog Violet
Viola adunca
Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 6a
Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
Zones 6a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces
Western Sword Fern
Polystichum munitum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a
Western Trillium
Trillium ovatum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a
White Fir
Abies concolor
Zones 4a–7b · native to 8 states
White Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'
Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a
White Spruce
Picea glauca
Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states and provinces
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 6a
Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost
Common questions
- What plants are native to Idaho?
- Alkali Sacaton, American Cranberrybush, American Vetch, American White Water Lily, Antelope Bitterbrush, Antelope Horns, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Arrowleaf Ragwort, and 129 more are native to Idaho. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Idaho?
- Timing depends on your hardiness zone. Each plant on this page shows its sowing and bloom window relative to your zone's last spring and first fall frost, so the dates stay correct wherever in Idaho you garden. As a rule, plant perennials and shrubs in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in spring once the soil drains.
- What hardiness zones does Idaho cover?
- Idaho runs from zone 3a to 7b. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Idaho?
- Arrowleaf Ragwort, Arroyo Willow, Aspen Fleabane, Bigtooth Maple, Boxelder, Broom Snakeweed, among others. Keystone plants host the most caterpillar species in their ecoregion, which is what feeds nesting birds; one oak or native cherry does more than a bed of showy non-natives. Use the Keystones only toggle to see all 26.
How this list is built
Native ranges follow the USDA PLANTS Database; hardiness ranges follow USDA Plant Hardiness Zones; pollinator value draws on the Xerces Society. Where a reference almanac would stop at “confirm with your local authority,” we go one step further - every plant here links to its full growing page with frost-relative tasks for your zone.
Nature timing varies year to year. To calibrate to your own yard, the Garden Digest builds a weekly task list around your plants and frost dates.
The month ahead in your zone, free in your inbox.
What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
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