Learn More About Native Plants

Native Plants

What are native plants?

“Plants that have evolved over thousands of years to be able to survive in a particular region and have adapted to the geography, hydrology, and climate of that region. A community of native plants provides habitat for a variety of native wildlife species; and will be hardy and resistant to the local conditions, thereby usually requiring less maintenance when used in landscaping.”
- US Environmental Protection Agency

In other words, a native plant is any plant that existed on the continent before the European settlement and wasn’t under cultivation.

Native Plant Society of NM—What is a Native Plant?

Why are native plants important?

Native plants provide many benefits to our environment in addition to adding to the beauty of the landscape. New Mexico native plants evolved here and are well adapted to our climate and habitat. The birds, insects, and other wildlife that co-evolved with them depend on them for their survival.

SNaPP Brochure
NMSU Guide H-182: Perennial Plants for Pollinators in New Mexico
Xerces Society: Pollinator Plants for Albuquerque and Santa Fe Region

Native plant guides

There are many books and websites that provide information on growing our native plants as well as the ecosystem services they provide. Knowing what ecoregion, soil type, sun, and water requirements are typical for the plants will help you select those most likely to thrive in your landscape.

SNaPP Guide - A Guide to Native Plants for the Santa Fe Landscape
New Mexico Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute: NM Plant Guides
Flora Neomexicana III: An Illustrated Identification Manual, Part 2 - a downloadable version of the manual on NM native plants.

SNaPP Demonstration Gardens

The three unique SNaPP gardens at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds (3229 Rodeo Road ) will provide inspiration for your low-water, low-maintenance garden.

Native Grassland Restoration

This 90-foot by 90-foot area west of the Extension Office demonstrates how a formerly compacted, nutrient-poor plot can be converted into a beautiful meadow with native grasses, legumes, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.

SNaPP Native Grassland Restoration Plant List

Southwest Courtyard Garden

The 11-foot by 45-foot garden at the entrance to the County Extension Office demonstrates the wide variety of native plants that can be used to create a patio or courtyard garden in Santa Fe.

SNaPP Southwest Courtyard Garden Plant List

Pollinator Garden

The SNaPP Pollinator Garden is a 60-foot by 20-foot garden on the east side of the County Extension Office. It attracts bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and other beneficial creatures, providing them with food and shelter.

SNaPP Pollinator Garden Plant List

Rainwater Harvesting

Conserving Water in Your Home Landscape

You can take several steps to conserve water in your landscape, including choosing xeric plants, applying mulch to decrease evaporation, capturing rainwater for use in your landscape, and implementing erosion control to keep rainwater on your property.

NMSU Guide H707: Landscape Water Conservation: Principles of Xeriscape
SNaPP Practical Tips: Harvesting Rainwater for Your Santa Fe Landscape

Rainwater Harvesting Techniques

Successful gardeners in Santa Fe have developed strategies for adapting to our low annual precipitation and intermittent drought. Active rainwater harvesting ensures that rainwater falling on roofs is captured, e.g., in a cistern or rain barrel, to be used at a later time. Passive rainwater harvesting ensures that rainwater is diverted to locations where it is needed or where it can infiltrate into the ground.