Use native plants
Whether in a rain garden or general landscaping, native plants are a water-wise choice
Native plants improve water quality by reducing stormwater runoff, filtering pollutants and preventing soil erosion through deep root systems.
Image source: The Root Design Company
What are native plants?
Native plants are trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, ferns and other plants that originate and evolve in a region over time. These plants play an important role in protecting and improving water quality in Kansas and Missouri, where clay soils, intense rainstorms, and urban development can contribute to flooding and polluted runoff. Because these plants evolved in the region, they work with local conditions to manage rainwater more effectively than many non‑native plants.
Did you know?
- Native plants have incredible root systems that can grow as deep as 16 feet! These deep roots help absorb excessive nutrients and contaminants, acting as a natural filter.
- Native plants are drought-resistant and thrive during dry summer months by reaching water far below the surface.
Find the right native plants for your environment
Avoid costly mistakes by selecting the right native plants based on your flood tolerance, sun level and type of plant.
The plants listed below include rain garden–friendly plants commonly found in local native plant nurseries.
Find plants by flood tolerance level
Select native plants that can handle both wet and dry spells and suit the sunlight conditions of your site.
Low flood tolerance
Native plants with low flood tolerance prefer dry, well‑drained soil and can be quickly harmed by wet conditions, even after short periods of flooding.
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Full sun
Herbaceous flower
Purple coneflower
Partial shade
Herbaceous flower
Nodding onion
Full shade
Herbaceous flower
Purple love grass
Full sun
Grass/Rush
Switch grass
Partial shade
Grass/Rush
Northern Sea/River Oats
Full shade
Grass/Rush
Lead Plant
Full sun
Shrub
Prairie Willow
Partial shade
Shrub
Blackhaw Viburnum
Full shade
Shrub
Medium flood tolerance
Native plants with medium flood tolerance can handle soils that stay wet or flooded for short periods, but they also need time to dry out and don’t tolerate standing water all the time.
Prairie or Marsh Blazing Star
Full sun
Herbaceous flower
Bee balm
Partial shade
Herbaceous flower
Spiderwort
Full shade
Herbaceous flower
Sideoats Grama
Full sun
Grass/Rush
Prairie Sedge
Partial shade
Grass/Rush
Tufted Hairgrass
Full shade
Grass/Rush
Arrowwood Viburnum
Full sun
Shrub
Ninebark
Partial shade
Shrub
Smooth hydrangea
Full shade
Shrub
High flood tolerance
Native plants with high flood tolerance can grow in very wet soils and can handle being underwater for short periods, such as after heavy rains.
Swamp / Marsh Milkweed
Full sun
Herbaceous flower
Golden ragwort
Partial shade
Herbaceous flower
American Boneset
Full shade
Herbaceous flower
Little bluestem
Full sun
Grass/Rush
Fox Sedge
Partial shade
Grass/Rush
Gray's Sedge
Full shade
Grass/Rush
Buttonbush
Full sun
Shrub
Elderberry
Partial shade
Shrub
Sweetspire
Full shade
Shrub
Additional resources
Regional Storm Water Design and Engineering Manual
Appendix E of the latest version of the Regional Stormwater Design and Engineering Manual includes a full list of locally recommended hardy species.
Grow Native
Native Plants for Stormwater Management: Species Selection for the Lower Midwest from Grow Native includes details on plants categorized by a broad selection of green stormwater infrastructure types.
Where to buy native plants in the Kansas City area
Get help with your rain garden by searching our map for qualified plant retailers and designers.
