26 Best Native Plants For Containers: Regional Recommendations

Why plant natives in containers? You may be like me. I rent where I live and am reluctant to plant too many of them in case we move to another house. I put any specialty or rare native plants I purchase in containers, so I can take them wherever I go. 

Your garden may have too many plants already! This is another valuable reason to container garden with native plants. Pots fit into small space, so you can tuck them where they fit in your yard. Whatever your reasoning, adding local plants to your landscape invites beneficial pollinators, birds, and mammals.

Bring the wild back into your garden with these 26 native plants for container growing. These regional recommendations ensure many options for you. 

Tropical Forests

These include wet and dry forests in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the southern tip of Florida. Some regions of Mediterranean California also have these conditions, although they tend to be drier than typical tropical regions. These species thrive where weather is mild year-round with lots of sunshine, humidity, and warm temperatures that never drop below 50–55°F (10-13°C).

Cockspur Flower

	botanical name Plectranthus parviflorus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-36”
	hardiness zones 9-10

This coleus relative is native to Hawaii. It’s a cute little plant with spikes of purple flowers. It lacks the colorful spotting of bred coleus varieties, however, it’s hardy, surviving better than those delicate cultivars. 

Also known as ‘ala ‘ala wai nui, this shrub occurs naturally on rocky, exposed hillsides and mountain faces. Pots are good homes for it, as they simulate the free-draining capabilities of these pebbly areas. Although it appreciates drainage, this native perennial also appreciates regular moisture.

Try it in containers by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings. Sow seeds in perlite mixed with organic matter, keeping them moist until they germinate after one to three months. To propagate, take four to six-inch stem cuttings. Situate them inside water under bright indirect light; they’ll root from two to four weeks.

Hawaiian Blueberry

	botanical name Vaccinium reticulatum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-10′
	hardiness zones 10-11

Delicious, nutritious, and native to Hawaii, Hawaiian blueberry shrubs are perfect container specimens. They provide flowers, fruit, and red-green foliage to enjoy. When growing this shrub in Hawaii, you invite the native nēnē bird, also known as the Hawaiian goose, to feast on its berries.

Like other species of Vaccinium, Hawaiian blueberry appreciates regular moisture, good drainage, and plenty of organic matter. Amend its dirt annually by adding compost or organic mulch. 

Hawaiian blueberry extends four feet tall and wide—it needs a large pot at maturity. Aim to give it at least five to ten gallons of space as an adult. When younger, it fares well in three to five-gallon containers.

Pink Muhly

	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

This grass spreads like wildfire! It reproduces easily in tropical, everglade conditions. Bright pink flower plumes burst out of green grass clumps when the weather warms. Native to the eastern U.S., it loves continuous sunshine, moderate water, and soil with good drainage. 

Muhly grass spreads horizontally rapidly. It needs a large pot when it matures. Divide large clumps during autumn to multiply your plant. This also ensures it doesn’t get rootbound in its pot. Try the’ Regal Mist’ variety for deeper pink flowers than the species.

Muhly grass spreads by seed; its clumps grow larger over time. Sow seeds in springtime, keeping the soil moist until they germinate. Transplant rootbound specimens into larger containers before the weather warms. 

Hare’s Foot Fern

	botanical name Phlebodium aureum
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 2-4′
	hardiness zones 8-13

Many plants have a common name “hare’s foot fern,” although this type is a native species from the Americas. You may have seen it before near houseplant sections at nurseries! It sprouts fuzzy rhizomes that resemble rabbits’ feet. From rhizomes grow large fronds with wavy edges like pasta. 

Outdoors, this plant survives inside a pot from hardiness zones eight through thirteen. It loves regular water, organic soil, and humidity. Where hard frosts are common during winter, bring this fern inside to a warm location with bright indirect light. 

Cohitre Blanco

	botanical name Tradescantia zanonia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-36”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Native to dry jungle areas of Puerto Rico, cohitre blanco is a shrub that grows to three feet tall. It sprouts bright white flowers from purple buds. It grows like Dracaena species, with rosettes of leaves sprouting from central trunks. 

This variety of Tradescantia stays small inside a pot, thriving with consistent moisture. In its native range, it thrives without additional irrigation—where summers are dry it requires weekly watering. ‘Variegata’ has lovely cream-white and green striped leaves.

Find mature plants online or at tropical nurseries, or take cuttings to propagate. Root cuttings with water under bright conditions indoors, or under dappled shade outdoors. 

Eastern Temperate Forests

On the East Coast inwards to the Mississippi River lie acres of temperate forests. These ecological niches are similar to forests on the West Coast, however, these reach much colder temperatures during winter. These following plants are tough enough to survive that winter cold—they’re also gorgeous enough for containers. 

Oakleaf Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea quercifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-8′
	hardiness zones 5-9

A personal favorite of mine, oakleaf hydrangea is a three-part stunner. With peeling brown bark, red fall color, and huge panicles of white blossoms, this native shrub gives mophead hydrangeas a run for their money!

Oakleaf hydrangeas appreciate well-drained soil. They also like large containers to spread their roots in–aim to give these shrubs five to ten gallons of space for their rootballs. If you have young plants, they fare better in smaller containers. Then, when they mature above four or five feet, transplant them into larger pots.

Oakleaf hydrangeas are available online, at native plant nurseries, and in big-box stores. Transplant them into their containers during fall or early spring.

Coralberry

	botanical name Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4′
	hardiness zones 2-7

A relative of snowberry, coralberry is a pink-berried species native to eastern temperate forests. This understory shrub is hardy, drought-tolerant, and incredibly ornamental. Plant it inside containers with groundcovers like kinnikinnik, great yellow woodsorrel, or violets. The ground covers will blanket the soil, while coralberry shrubs stand tall above the foliage. 

A newer cultivar of coralberry called ‘Sofie’ decorates itself in bunches of bright pink berries each autumn. Birds flock to the berries, and their flowers provide nectar for native pollinators. Coralberry lures wildlife wherever it grows.

Grow coralberries from starts; obtain them at nurseries, online, or from friends who have them. These shrubs form large colonies with rooting stems and creeping stolons—dig up portions from mature colonies for transplanting.

New York Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5′
	hardiness zones 4-8

New York asters sprout bunches of daisy-like flowers en masse on leafy plants. They rise out of the ground perennially to quickly fill containers. Place two containers filled with these asters by your doorstep to welcome friends, or plant them amongst other native perennials inside a large pot. 

The native species has clusters of blue-purple flowers with bright yellow centers. Varieties tout blossoms in white, lavender, and pink hues. For rose pink colors try ‘Persian Rose’—for a dwarf type with pink blooms look for ‘Peter Harrison’.

In early spring, grow this perennial from seeds or starts. Sow seeds on the soil surface in fall or transplant mature specimens and water regularly. By summer, you’ll have clusters of aster flowers to enjoy with native bees.

Swamp Azalea

	botanical name Rhododendron viscosum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-8’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Delightful fragrance presents a nice surprise while waltzing through gardens. Grow swamp azalea to enjoy its clove-like fragrance annually. Their blossoms range from blush pink to white, with some blooms having both colors at once! 

Native to swamps of the eastern U.S., this deciduous shrub appreciates consistent moisture with dapple shade. It reaches over eight feet tall, growing within its native habitat but stays under five feet in a pot, remaining compact for easy maintenance. Prune branches off after flowering; avoid pruning during wintertime while flower buds are forming.

Inkberry

	botanical name Ilex glabra
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-11’
	hardiness zones 5-10

As leaves fade in fall, inkberry stands out with its dark-black berries. Loved by wildlife, these berries contain seeds that spread this shrub throughout eastern forests. Inkberry flowers draw pollinating insects in, making it a perfect choice for a pot near pollinator gardens.

Inkberry reaches eleven feet tall within its native range. Prune it to keep it small, or try a dwarf variety like ‘Compacta.’ ‘Nordic’ is a dwarf type, although it is a male plant lacking fruits. Inkberry is dioecious, so use ‘Compacta,’ a female cultivar; it’ll ensure your shrubs grow berries. 

Grow inkberry from seeds; they require two months of cold stratification. Plant them in autumn so they undergo it naturally during winter, or place seeds in a fridge for two months to simulate cool weather. You can also find mature plants online or at native plant nurseries.

Great Plains

This region is a collection of grassland, prairie, and farmland. It receives summer rainfall, temperature fluctuations, and dry winters. Whether you live on the Great Plains or near them, these five native plants are excellent container specimens. 

Blue False Indigo

	botanical name Baptisia australis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4′
	hardiness zones 3-9

A lovely perennial, blue false indigo survives drought, intense sunlight, and sandy soil. It’s evolved to thrive in the midwest, where nutrient-poor soils with inconsistent moisture are common. Each year it emerges four feet tall, sprouting dark blue flowers that fade into attractive seed pods. 

Grow this native Baptisia species from seeds, as established plants do not transplant well. Sow seeds in pots during autumn, letting them overwinter. They should sprout into seedlings by spring. 

Black-Eyed Susan

	botanical name Rudbeckia fulgida
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Black-eyed Susan is an iconic wildflower. It is also one of the toughest garden perennials. Each year strappy green leaves resembling coneflower leaves sprout. As temperatures warm and daylight increases, black-eyed Susan grows tall stems with daisy-like flowers. These blossoms have yellow petals around rich black-brown centers.

Some exciting cultivars of this native species work great in containers—try ‘Goldsturm’ for taller flowers plus better disease resistance. ‘Little Goldstar’ excels in small pots; it is a dwarf kind reaching no higher than two feet!

This perennial is tough, but there is one thing it hates: wet feet. Avoid overwatering, irrigating only when the top inch or two of soil is dry. If you garden where landscapes are wet like the Pacific Northwest, you should move this container under cover during winter to protect it from excess moisture. 

Switch Grass

	botanical name Panicum virgatum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-7’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Grasses may not be the first type of plant you’d think to put inside containers, however, grasses are low-maintenance, showy, and easy to propagate. Switch grass, an eastern U.S. native species is an especially extravagant specimen with bright pinkish blossom spikes that fade to white, then brown. Its seed heads persist throughout winter, meaning this grass has all-season interest!

A favorite of U.S. gardeners, switch grass has many varieties for ornamental use. Try ‘Shenandoah’ for a drooping form, where its seed heads cascade down. This type has bluish-green blades that turn red in autumn. ‘Northwind’ is the opposite; it is upright, with green grass that turns yellow under cold temperatures.

Find specific switch grass cultivars online or at nurseries. Sow seeds to propagate native species. Place them in their pots under a quarter inch of soil during autumn. They’ll cold stratify through the winter, sprouting with spring weather.

Wild Bergamot

	botanical name Monarda fistulosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

This wild perennial naturally grows throughout the Great Plains. It attracts hummingbirds with its trumpet-shaped flowers, luring them with promises of nectar. Related to mint, wild bergamot spreads to fill empty spaces. Containers are perfect for limiting its range.

Wild bergamot’s scientific name is Monarda fistulosa. It differs from the common garden type M. didyma because it has smaller flowers with lavender to light pink hues. They are less showy than the garden type, but they attract pollinators by the dozens. 

Grow this native perennial from seeds. Plant them in containers during autumn; they’ll sprout in spring after cold stratification.

American Beautyberry

	botanical name Callicarpa americana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-8’
	hardiness zones 6-10

American native beautyberry has the biggest leaves of any beautyberry. They reach six inches long, and they turn a gorgeous purple-red color with cool fall temperatures. The shrub’s main attraction is its fruits; it forms bright purple berries in clusters. They persist throughout winter, that is if birds don’t get to them first!

This shrub reaches six feet tall. In areas where you’d like a smaller plant, prune it in late winter to keep it low growing. American beautyberry fruits on current year’s wood, so don’t be shy when pruning. 

Find this species available online or at native plant nurseries near you. Transplant it in autumn or early spring.

North American Deserts

Deserts aren’t unique to North America, but the plants that grow in them are. These species adapt readily to hot climates, little water, and sandy soil. Grow them in pots outdoors if you live near desert regions, or try them indoors near windows with full sun. 

Golden Flowered Century Plant

	botanical name Agave chrysantha
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 7-10

A hardy agave is best for pots; it will survive drought, heat, and anything else a desert throws its way. Golden flowered century plant is the native agave to use in pots. It naturally grows in Arizona, thriving with little supplemental irrigation.

Golden flowered century plant sprouts rosettes of spiky gray-green leaves. After decades of happy growing, this agave sends a 12’ tall flower spike straight up! Use a large container of at least fifteen to twenty gallons to allow plenty of space for its roots. Use well-draining sandy soil; it’ll help avoid root rot from overwatering.

Ocotillo

	botanical name Fouquieria splendens
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8-20’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Ocotillo is a thin, wiry cactus-like shrub with small leaves and thorns. Its stems reach heights of 20 feet! In pots, ocotillo stays around eight feet tall. After rainfall, this shrub quickly sprouts flowers—the blossoms are bright red tubes that lure pollinators. 

Give this desert shrub excellent drainage, sandy soil, and a deep watering once a month. It can survive with less irrigation, although it performs best with a monthly soaking. Ensure its roots have enough space to roam—use a pot with at least five gallons of space.

Ocotillo needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Place your container under full sun conditions; it’ll reward you with bunches of sweet flowers. Propagate existing plants by taking stem cuttings during summer. Let their wounds heal, then plant them where you’d like.

Red Yucca

	botanical name Hesperaloe parviflora
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Red yucca isn’t a yucca, but it’s as tough as one! It’s technically a Hesperaloe in the same family as yucca, the agave family. This hardy specimen survives extreme heat, cold, and drought. It originates from western Texas where it appreciates an arid climate. 

This yucca-look-alike survives drought but appreciates bimonthly watering in areas without rainfall. When happy it shoots up stems with red-orange flowers that attract hummingbirds. Find red yucca at a nursery near you, or order starts online. Give it good drainage, full sun, plus little water. 

Desert Christmas Cactus

	botanical name Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 5-11

This North American native Christmas cactus outshines most other container plants. It has thin, cylindrical stems. Green-yellow flowers sprout off stems; they mature from green to beet-red by Christmastime. They stay on this cactus throughout winter, giving this species four seasons of interest!

Like other desert species, this Christmas cactus prefers hot summers, superb drainage, and little water. It thrives in containers but also needs sandy soil. Propagate it by seed or cuttings, being sure not to poke yourself! Seeds need warm, moist, well-draining soil with bright light for a few weeks to months to germinate. 

Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

	botanical name Echinocereus engelmannii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 6-11

This native cactus’ cute name reflects its cute nature! Strawberry hedgehog cactus grows slowly to three feet wide and only reaches a foot or two tall. It loves the culture of a container; when it’s happy, it sprouts bright red-purple flowers three inches wide. Out of flowers form edible red fruits that birds and bugs devour readily.

Grow strawberry hedgehog cactus in a small container—it doesn’t need much space for its roots. This species survives by trapping water within its barrels, stockpiling moisture for safekeeping. Then, when drought hits, it takes it out of storage. 

Give this species a monthly deep soaking, soil with good drainage, and full sun. Find starts at houseplant, native plant, and big-box nurseries. You can also purchase them online from specialty cactus growers.

Pacific Northwest

Lush, wet, and humid, the Pacific Northwest is famous for its moody atmosphere. Although this area receives the most rainfall out of all the U.S., it also has warm summers when clouds clear. The following plants adapt to wet and dry conditions because they are native to this region.

Western Columbine

	botanical name Aquilegia formosa var. formosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

This perennial wildflower pops with color and form in containers. Each blossom is red at the top, orange in the middle, and yellow at the bottom. They have spurs extending outwards; their design attracts hummingbirds as they can extract nectar. When flowers mature into seed heads, finches and other birds swoop to eat them. 

Western columbine reaches three feet tall in maturity—it works well in a container with at least two gallons of space. Use an organically rich potting soil with moderate drainage, and transplant mature plants into pots in fall or early spring.

This species propagates itself through its seeds. Sow them in shady areas in pots in early spring while nights are still cold. Keep their soil moist and they’ll germinate in 30 to 90 days. 

Oregon Grape

	botanical name Berberis aquifolium
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Oregon grape resembles holly, but its berries look like grapes. If you live in Oregon this plant is a must-have—it is our state’s official flower! On brown stems sprout spiky green leaflets. Yellow bloom clusters explode in early spring; they slowly mature into blue-gray berries by midsummer.

An attractive shrub with four-season interest that thrives in a container is hard to come by. Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest are lucky to enjoy this shrub’s company. Situate it in partial shade and water as its soil dries out. 

Oregon grape is notoriously difficult to grow from seed. Find mature species readily available at nurseries and online, and transplant them into your pot during fall or early spring.

Red Twig Dogwood

	botanical name Cornus sericea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-9’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Looking for winter interest? Look no further than red twig dogwood. Native to large swaths of the U.S., this deciduous shrub reaches 20’ tall in its natural habitat! In a container, it’ll stay much smaller, from anywhere between three to nine feet tall, depending on its container size. 

Red twig dogwood sprouts veined green leaves off of red stems. White flower clusters bloom and morph into white berries. Leaves, flowers, and fruits attract local wildlife by the dozens. Try ‘Kelseyi,’ a dwarf type, for small pots and containers. It’ll stay under two feet tall!

Place this shrub in a pot in a shady spot, and keep the soil well-watered. It prefers to sprout near rivers, so mimicking riverside conditions helps this shrub adapt to its new location. 

Evergreen Huckleberry

	botanical name Vaccinium ovatum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-10’
	hardiness zones 7-9

Evergreen huckleberry produces edible fruit similar to blueberries. Blueberry bushes are cousins of this shrub, and so they display many similarities. Both prefer shaded conditions, free-draining acidic soil, and regular water. 

Evergreen huckleberry loves organic matter in its soil; it naturally spreads underneath forest canopies on the West Coast, where soil is rich, porous, and airy. Give it acidic potting soil in a container, and use a pot just the right size for its root ball. You’ll want a little extra space for roots to spread but not so much space that they rot before they spread.

Lady Fern

	botanical name Athyrium filix-femina
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Lady fern stands as one of the most drought and shade-tolerant ferns out there. It has gone entire summers in my yard without additional irrigation. This deciduous fern turns brown in the winter, although its fronds persist even while frozen. Keep them on the plant for winter interest.

For a unique type, try ‘Frizelliae.’ It reaches about a foot tall, and the frond leaves never unfurl, giving it a string of pearls appearance. This cultivar outshines other ferns in a pot and will have your friends asking, “What is that plant?”

Lady fern grows from spores, although spore growing is unpredictable and difficult for home gardeners. Find mature specimens at nurseries near you or from fern retailers online. If you have friends with this plant, ask to dig up some rhizome clumps. They transplant well into pots and create new plants. 

Western Azalea

	botanical name Rhododendron occidentale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-15’
	hardiness zones 7-9

Western azalea brightens landscapes in the Pacific Northwest each spring. Its strappy green leaves act as a collar below clusters of white and pink dual-color flowers with splotches of yellow. It may need a large container as an adult, but it takes some years to reach a mature size.

This azalea naturally thrives on mountains and foothills throughout California and Oregon. Give it lots of organic matter, free-draining soil, and dappled shade. 

Grow western azalea in containers with at least five gallons of space. Transplant it into larger containers as it matures so the roots have plenty of space to roam. Transplant your deciduous azalea every three or four years or if you notice it is root-bound.