Native Plants of the 913
Prairie wildflowers, native grasses, and native trees that evolved right here — low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and built to feed KC's birds, bees, and butterflies.
Native Plant Cards
No plants match that search. Try a common name, Latin name, or wildlife like "monarch".
The Ecological Case for Going Native
Kansas City sits at the historical heart of the tallgrass prairie. Planting even a small native section is one of the most ecologically significant things a KC homeowner can do.
Monarchs Need Milkweed
Monarch caterpillars eat exclusively milkweed. Midwest milkweed was nearly eliminated by herbicide-resistant agriculture in the 1990s — monarch populations have fallen over 80% since then. A single Asclepias patch in your yard is direct, measurable support for a species in serious decline.
35× More Caterpillar Species
Research by entomologist Doug Tallamy found native plants support up to 35× more caterpillar species than ornamentals. A native oak supports 500+ caterpillar species; a Bradford pear supports fewer than 5. Since 96% of land birds feed insects to nestlings, native plant density directly controls bird populations.
Deep Roots for KC Clay
Big Bluestem roots reach 12 feet deep, tapping moisture unavailable to shallow ornamentals. Native root systems build organic matter, reduce compaction in Kansas clay, and hold embankments through spring flash-flood rains — with zero fertilizer or supplemental water once established.
One of the Most Endangered Ecosystems
The tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres and supported 300+ grass species and 200+ wildflower species — biodiversity rivaling the tropics. Today less than 4% remains. Every native plant you add reconstructs a small piece of it.