Nov 245 min read

Why Do We Need Plants?

Jump into the fascinating why of plants—their role in our everyday lives, why native plants are more useful than your roses, and why transforming the way we we think about plants is the best path to a greener thumb and a bigger wallet.

Plants are so much more than green decorations, from the vital role they play in our ecosystems to the amazing ways they contribute to our own wellbeing.

Plants Are the Backbone of Life

Let’s start with the obvious: plants are literally life-givers. They produce oxygen and form the base of every food web. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. No plants, no tacos. Think about that.

Mexican cuisine aside, plants don’t just keep us breathing. They also

regulate temperatures, filter water, and even calm us down. Ever noticed how you feel more relaxed in a park or while out in your yard gardening? That’s not just the fresh air—it’s plants doing their magic. Studies show that viewing greenery reduces stress levels and lowers blood pressure while gardening provides a physical outlet that relieves stress and helps regulate emotions.

Why Native Plants Are Game-Changers

Now, let’s zoom in on native plants— A ‘Native Plant” is a plant species that has evolved naturally in a specific region, ecosystem, or habitat over thousands (or even millions) of years, forming a harmonious relationship with the local environment, climate, and wildlife.

Why should you care about natives? Simple: they’re team players. They’ve evolved alongside local wildlife making the base of a perfect buffet. The ecological importance of any native plant far surpasses that of most non native species, particularly in terms of biodiversity support and ecosystem services. Black Cherry trees are considered a keystone species, meaning they play a critical role in supporting ecosystems. Over 425 species of caterpillars feed on Black Cherry trees leaves in North America, making them a vital food source for birds, especially during nesting season. They provide habitat and food for mammals, insects, and birds. Their bark and leaf litter create microhabitats for fungi, mosses, and other organisms.

On the other hand, the Bradford Pear tree is a non-native species that provides minimal value to local wildlife, supporting few if any native insects or pollinators. Its invasive tendencies have caused it to spread aggressively, displacing native plants and disrupting ecosystems. Also, weak branch structure makes it prone to splitting during storms common in North America, leading to short lifespans and maintenance issues.

Planting a random non native plant is like giving your local wildlife a plastic salad. Native plants also use fewer resources than non-native ones. They’re more drought-tolerant, adapted to local soil, and don’t need a ton of fertilizer or pesticides. Translation? Less work for you! Imagine a garden that thrives while you sip lemonade and watch the birds hop around in your native tree.

What Plants Can Do for Homeowners

A lot.

Save Money: Native plants are low-maintenance. Less water and fewer to no chemicals needed.
Boost Curb Appeal: A native garden doesn’t mean “wild jungle.” With the right planning, you can have a yard that’s both gorgeous and eco-friendly.
Support Wildlife: Imagine your yard becoming a mini nature sanctuary. Birds feeding on berries, native bumble bees buzzing happily—it’s like hosting a block party for nature that lasts through the entire winter.
Stormwater Management: Many native plants, like black-eyed Susans and switchgrass, have deep roots that prevent soil erosion and help absorb rainwater. Goodbye, soggy lawn!

RESOURCES: Where to Start

Feeling inspired and ready to dig in but not sure where to start? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Check out some local resources like:

Audubon Native Plant Finder: Pop in your zip code, and it’ll suggest plants that thrive in your area.
Your state’s native plant society. Trust me, these folks are plant nerds in the best way and can help you get started.
My DIY Nature Native Plant Starter Guide! It’s free, downloadable, and full of easy tips to get you going.

Why This Matters for the Planet

Here’s the big picture: when you plant native, you’re helping combat some of the world’s biggest problems—pollution, masive shifts in weather patterns, and biodiversity loss. Why does that matter to you?

Let’s break it down:

Habitat and Biodiversity - A habitat provides animals with food, water, air, shelter (including nesting sites), and space (a place to live). Plants are responsible for producing the food and air while offering shelter and filtering the water. Plants enable habitats to support biodiversity of animals, fungi, microorganisms, and the plants themselves. All of which contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Without these habitats, your favorite animal would cease to exist, and the natural world within your community would crumble.
Oxygen Production & Carbon Sequestration - Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, essential for life, and absorb carbon dioxide, storing it in their tissues and roots. But they also purifiy the air by absorbing pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, and particle matter, reducing smog and mitigating the impacts of air pollution on human health.
Medicinal Resources - Many plants species have medicinal properties and provide valuable compounds used in traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, and herbal remedies. Plants contribute to human health and well-being through their therapetic and healing properties. New ways to use plants as medicine are being descovered all the time. We are potentially loosing out on new medical treatments with every plant speceies that goes extinct.
Food Source - Here’s a fun fact, soil is a renewable natural resource. Of all the earth, only 1/32 of it, contains usable soil, that is, soil that we can grow food in. The other 31/32 is either under water, in an area too hot or too cold, or developed on with roads, parking lots and buildings.
Soil & Water - Plants, especially native plants, contribute greatly to the nutrient cycle, keeping our soils rich and fertile while also playing a key role in our water cycle. Between the water that plants absorb and the their roots stabilzing the soil around them, they provide essential ecosystem services such as water purification, soil stabilization, flood control, and erosion prevention.

Start Planting Smarter

Overall, plants are integral to the functioning of ecosystems, the sustainablility of natural resources, and the resilience of Earth’s biosphere. Protecting and conserving plant diversity is essential for maintining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring the well-being of present and future generations.

But, since the Industrial Age, humans have removed 46% of the world’s trees—about 15 billion annually—dropping from 6 trillion ish to just 3 trillion trees today (Nature, 2015). Why is this an issue? This deforestation disrupts the oxygen, carbon, and water cycles, contributing to masive shifts in weather patterns.

Deforestation continues at an alarming rate, and I’m not talking about some far off tropical forests like the Amazon. Suburban sprawl right here in the US is occuring at an alarming rate and is taking over not just forested areas, but essential farmland as well.

Reforestation, suburban native plant landscapes, green roofs, sustainable landscaping practices and stopping the sprawl are crucial solutions. And while some believe that going all electric is the fastest way to fix these damaged cycles, it’s important to keep in mind that driving an EV while owning a 1/2 acre or more of lawn is like slapping a bandaid on a compound fracture.

So, what’s the takeaway?

Plants are more than decorations—they’re essential for life, health, and even happiness. And when you opt for local flora—you’re not just improving your yard. You’re giving back to your surrounding ecosystem, mending the scars left by urban sprawl.

Now, if you’re new to this whole gardening thing and are feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry—I’ve got you! Check out the first two blogs and videos in this series to understand the how and what of plants, and stay tuned for part four, where we’ll talk about common plant misconceptions.