California poppies

 

Find native and drought-tolerant plants loved by birds and bees! From the Green Hairstreak Butterfly in Golden Gate Heights to the Pacific Chorus Frog in Potrero Hill, San Francisco is home to diverse species. Use these tips to create a wildlife habitat in your sidewalk garden, backyard, or roof!
 

  • Use the SF Plant Finder to find native and drought-tolerant plants that support habitat for a specific area of the city. Learn the "FAQs" about gardening with native plants, and how you can protect our local pollinators. 
  • Green your neighborhood by choosing climate-appropriate, native plants that are adapted to San Francisco's unique environment and habitats. Find a local plant nursery where you can buy wildlife-friendly plants for your yard. 
  • Support the Plants for Birds Program, a partnership of the California Native Plant Society, Yerba Buena Chapter and Golden Gate Audubon Society. 
  • Watch this video presentation by Doug Tallamy, given at the 2018 California Native Plant Society Conservation Conference. 
  • Visit green corridors near you, and learn about the habitat of animals like jackrabbits, coyotes, and hummingbirds. 
     

Using local native plants restores local biodiversity by enhancing habitat for bees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Using local native plants restores ecological integrity and continuity of the city’s natural environment, creating a healthier ecosystem that is more diverse and resilient, thus stemming biodiversity loss, adapting to climate change and improving the pollination system for local agriculture.

By rebuilding healthy soil, local native plants:

  • Conserve our local geologic resources
  • Recharge local groundwater
  • Help prevent erosion
  • Improve water quality
  • Maximize water conservation in landscaping

Finally, local native plants:

  • Enrich San Franciscans’ sense of place of where they live
  • Promote pride in our local natural heritage 
     

SF Plant Finder

Use the SF Plant Finder app to learn more about the different ecosystems near you.

Explore local native plants

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This program supports the City's ROOTS goal, for healing the planet. Learn more about San Francisco's Climate Action goals at SFClimateAction.org