Native Plants for Nevada - What to Plant, and When
Nevada spans 2 ecoregions:North American DesertsNorthwestern Forested Mountains
141 plants on this site are native to Nevada, 31 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Nevada 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 4a to 10a, 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 May – Jul in zone 7a
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
Zones 6a–10b · native to 9 states
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 7a
Aspen Fleabane
Erigeron speciosus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Bog Blueberry
Vaccinium uliginosum
Zones 2a–6b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7a
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 Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Camphorweed
Heterotheca subaxillaris
Zones 6a–10b · native to 31 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Canyon Live Oak
Quercus chrysolepis
Zones 7a–9b · native to 6 states
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7a
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
Zones 4b–8a · native to 8 states
Cowpen Daisy
Verbesina encelioides
Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states
Blooms May – Nov in zone 7a
Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Desert Marigold
Baileya multiradiata
Zones 7a–11b · native to 6 states
Blooms Jun – Jan in zone 7a
Fremont Cottonwood
Populus fremontii
Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states
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 Feb – Apr in zone 7a
Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 7a
Goodding's Willow
Salix gooddingii
Zones 6a–10b · native to 8 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7a
Gray Alder
Alnus incana
Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces
Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta
Zones 4a–7b · native to 14 states and provinces
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
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7a
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7a
Sugar Pine
Pinus lambertiana
Zones 6a–8b · native to 3 states
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Tahoka Daisy
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Turpentine Bush
Ericameria laricifolia
Zones 7a–10b · native to 6 states
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 7a
Velvety Goldenrod
Solidago velutina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7a
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 Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7a
Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Alpine Gentian
Gentiana newberryi
Zones 5a–8b · native to 3 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
American Vetch
Vicia americana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 7a
American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7a
Antelope Horns
Asclepias asperula
Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Mar – Oct in zone 7a
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7a
Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7a
Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7a
Bladderpod
Isomeris arborea
Zones 8a–11a · native to 3 states
Blooms Mar – Oct in zone 7a
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 7a
Blue Elderberry
Sambucus mexicana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 7a
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
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 May – Aug in zone 7a
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
Zones 8a–11b · native to 6 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
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 Apr – Jul in zone 7a
Broom Baccharis
Baccharis sarothroides
Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states
Blooms Oct – Feb in zone 7a
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
Zones 7a–11b · native to 4 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 7a
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
Zones 8a–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7a
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Zones 6a–10b · native to 7 states
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 7a
California Wild Rose
Rosa californica
Zones 5a–10b · native to 4 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 7a
Clustered Field Sedge
Carex praegracilis
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
Coffeeberry
Rhamnus californica
Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states
Common Bladderwort
Utricularia macrorhiza
Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Common Camas
Camassia quamash
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
Common Lippia
Phyla nodiflora
Zones 8a–11b · native to 12 states
Blooms Jul – Jan in zone 7a
Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7a
Creeping Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium var. repens
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – May in zone 7a
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
Zones 7b–11b · native to 6 states
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 7a
Deergrass
Muhlenbergia rigens
Zones 7a–10b · native to 6 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Desert Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7a
Desert Lavender
Hyptis emoryi
Zones 8a–11b · native to 3 states
Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 7a
Desert Milkweed
Asclepias subulata
Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states
Blooms Jun – Dec in zone 7a
Desert Penstemon
Penstemon pseudospectabilis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 7a
Desert Purple Sage
Salvia dorrii
Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 7a
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
Zones 7b–11a · native to 5 states
Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 7a
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Zones 4a–7b · native to 15 states and provinces
Explorer's Gentian
Gentiana calycosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7a
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
Zones 4a–9b · native to 6 states
Blooms Feb – Jun in zone 7a
Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
Grape Soda Lupine
Lupinus excubitus
Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 7a
Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Honey Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa
Zones 7a–11a · native to 10 states
Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 7a
Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Incense Cedar
Calocedrus decurrens
Zones 5a–8b · native to 3 states
Indian Ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Juniper Bush
Juniperus communis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Lacy Phacelia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 3 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 7a
Mat Rock Spiraea
Petrophytum caespitosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7a
Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata
Zones 6a–10b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Mock Orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Moss Campion
Silene acaulis
Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Mountain Coyote Mint
Monardella odoratissima
Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus betuloides
Zones 6a–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7a
Mountain Snowberry
Symphoricarpos oreophilus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Zones 6a–10b · native to 10 states
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 7a
Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Nootka Rose
Rosa nutkana
Zones 4a–9b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7a
Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
Oregon Sunshine
Eriophyllum lanatum
Zones 5a–10b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 7a
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 6 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 7a
Palmer's Penstemon
Penstemon palmeri
Zones 4a–8b · native to 5 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7a
Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7a
Pleated Gentian
Gentiana affinis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7a
Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Red Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
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 Apr – May in zone 7a
River Beauty
Epilobium latifolium
Zones 1a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7a
Scarlet Gaura
Gaura coccinea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Nov in zone 7a
Showy Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium pulcherrimum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7a
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 7a
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa
Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 7a
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Silvery Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 7a
Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
Sky Pilot
Polemonium viscosum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7a
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 7a
Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 7a
Twinberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7a
Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7a
Velvet Ash
Fraxinus velutina
Zones 7a–10b · native to 6 states
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7a
Western Dog Violet
Viola adunca
Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 7a
Western Redbud
Cercis occidentalis
Zones 6a–9b · native to 4 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
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 May – Jul in zone 7a
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 7a
Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost
Woolly Bluestar
Amsonia tomentosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7a
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7a
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost
Common questions
- What plants are native to Nevada?
- Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany, Alkali Sacaton, Alpine Gentian, American Vetch, American White Water Lily, Antelope Bitterbrush, Antelope Horns, Apache Plume, and 133 more are native to Nevada. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Nevada?
- 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 Nevada 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 Nevada cover?
- Nevada runs from zone 4a to 10a. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Nevada?
- Arrowleaf Ragwort, Arroyo Willow, Aspen Fleabane, Bog Blueberry, 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 31.
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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