Native Plants of Kansas: 9 Beginner Friendly Options for Your Yard

Share:
When you think of Kansas, you might picture expansive prairies, golden fields swaying in the wind, and skies that seem to stretch on forever. While this state is famous for its rich agricultural heritage and sweeping landscapes, it also offers a diverse tapestry of native plants that thrive in its sun-drenched summers and resilient soils. For gardeners looking to cultivate beauty while supporting local ecosystems, Kansas' native flora presents a unique opportunity. In this post, we'll explore some of the standout native species that not only withstand Kansas’ climate but also enrich your garden with color, pollinator activity, and a touch of local charm.
What are Native Plants?

Kansas' native plants are those that have thrived in the region now known as the Sunflower State (and across much of the central United States) for countless generations. The native plants we encounter today, perhaps featured at local native plant events, are descendants of ancestral plants that flourished in Kansas' ecosystems long before the arrival of European settlers. Over time, these plants have developed unique adaptations to thrive in Kansas' distinct environments while providing essential habitats for local wildlife.
Kansas' native plants not only directly support the state's wildlife and ecosystems but also make excellent additions to any garden or low maintenance landscape. Many native Kansas plants grow quickly, naturally withstand drought conditions, require minimal fertilization, and demand little maintenance. Identifying the right native flora for your Kansas yard will enhance both the beauty and ecological significance of any landscaping project.
Why are Native Plant Species Important?

There has been an ongoing and incredible loss of animal life worldwide over the past 150 years. This is a tragedy that has affected almost every major group of wildlife, including the many bees, butterflies, birds, and other beneficial pollinators that allow our natural world to function. A leading driver of this crash is habitat loss through land mismanagement: as humans, we've spent far too long removing the native trees and herbaceous perennial plants our local wildlife needs and replacing them with non native species that do little or nothing to help.

By contrast, the trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers that are native to their areas are especially well-adapted to provide food and shelter for many beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. These plants also tend to cycle nutrients into the soil more efficiently, and retain more storm water, than any kind of turf grass. Many species of native plants can survive in poor soil conditions and are drought tolerant and deer resistant once established which also makes them a great choice for most gardeners. Simply by adding some native Kansas native flowers to our garden beds or other landscaping efforts, we can directly help to reduce atmospheric CO2, create fertile soil, add a touch of natural beauty, and directly support local biodiversity with our yards.
Kansas Native Plants: Landscaping Picks
Below, I share just a handful of native Kansas flowers and grasses, split into three major plant lists based on sun exposure: Full Sun loving plants, Partial Shade, and Full Shade plants. Each one of the Kansas native plants listed will support many beneficial insects and some can be found in My Home Park's pre-designed gardens for Kansas.
Native Plants for Full Sun
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta

Black-Eyed Susan is a well-known and beloved native wildflower that can invigorate any garden or natural landscape with its cheerful golden-yellow petals and distinctive dark centers. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, this perennial will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Black-Eyed Susan can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet and will thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, making it an excellent choice for sunny native plant gardens. Easy to grow and low-effort to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan is a must-have for those looking to create vibrant and pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Milkweed (also simply called Butterfly Weed) is another Kansas native wildflower celebrated for its bright orange flowers that not only add a striking pop of color to gardens but also play a crucial role in supporting pollinators, particularly Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus). This perennial beauty thrives in full sun and any well-draining soil type, and grows to heights of 1 to 2 feet. Its slender, upright stems and attractive bright green foliage also make it a delightful addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Unlike many other Kansas wildflowers, as a member of the Asclepias genus (all milkweeds) Butterfly Milkweed provides endangered Monarch Butterflies with a place to lay their eggs. Adult butterflies will feed on the flowers' nectar during migration, while their caterpillars feed exclusively on the plant leaves and stems. By cultivating Butterfly Milkweed in your garden, you'll be creating a stunning landscape while also contributing to the conservation of this fragile species.
Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera

Prairie Coneflower, also known as Mexican Hat, can easily be combined with other native wildflowers to add a touch of wild beauty to gardens and natural landscapes. This perennial prairie gem thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and blooms from early summer through fall making it an excellent choice for sunny garden beds. Like other native Kansas flowers on this list, Prairie Coneflower typically reaches heights of 1 to 3 feet and is a valuable resource for pollinator species and other beneficial insects. Its drought tolerance and low-maintenance nature make it a resilient and visually captivating addition to any garden.
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis

Taking a break from Kansas wildflowers, Prairie Dropseed is a graceful native perennial grass that also brings a touch of elegance to gardens and natural landscapes. This fine-textured grass is known for its delicate, arching foliage and - unlike so may turf grasses - for providing a multitude of ecological benefits. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil and typically reaches heights of 2 to 3 feet, forming dense clumps of emerald-green foliage that sway gracefully in the breeze and take on a tawny gold Fall color as the seasons turn. Beyond its ornamental appeal, this Kansas native grass offers amazing erosion control with its deep root systems, supports local wildlife by providing edible seeds and nesting material for birds, and serves as a host plant for various butterfly species.
Native Plants for Partial Shade
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower is one of the most widely recognized and beautiful wildflowers across the eastern US and beyond, known for its showy flowers, easy cultivation, and medicinal properties. Purple Coneflower will thrive in full sun to light shade, and adapts well to a variety of soil types, including well-draining sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Purple Coneflower boasts a clump-forming growth habit, typically reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet and spreading about 1 to 2 feet.
Its distinctive blooms, featuring daisy-like purple to pink petals surrounding a raised cone-shaped center, are an easy focal point for any garden from late spring through summer. These flowers attract a huge variety of pollinators and other creatures, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens and flower beds where it pairs well with other Kansas native plants like Black-Eyed Susan and Butterfly Milkweed.
Painted-Cup Paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea

Painted-Cup Paintbrush, also known as Scarlet Indian Paintbrush, is a striking native wildflower known for its vibrant red tubular bracts (which contain its actual flowers) that dot the landscape with brilliant color from late spring through early summer. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Painted-Cup Paintbrush typically grows to heights of 1 to 2 feet, its bright blooms standing out against a backdrop of green foliage. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this wildflower plays a crucial role in supporting local pollinators, particularly hummingbirds and bees, by providing a rich source of nectar.
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower is renowned among Kansas native flowers for its striking scarlet-red blooms and its role in attracting wildlife, particularly hummingbirds, to any yard fortunate enough to feature it. This perennial wildflower thrives in wetland habitats and along the edges of streams, where its vibrant flowers stand out against lush dark green foliage. Growing to heights of 2 to 4 feet, Cardinal Flowers can be added as native specimen plants to bring a striking vertical accent to gardens and natural settings. Its unique color and shape make it a standout choice for attracting attention and biodiversity. This plant's preference for moist soils and partial to full sun also aligns well with various wetland restoration projects and rain gardens.
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis

Wild Red Columbine, also called Eastern Columbine, offers unique red and yellow flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Growing to a height of 1 to 3 feet, it boasts a graceful growth habit that is just as home in a pollinator garden as in a naturalized area. This plant thrives in partial sun from shade to full sun and is well-suited for woodland gardens, shady borders, and other native landscapes with well drained soils.
Eastern Bluestar
Amsonia tabernaemontana

Eastern Bluestar, sometimes called Willow Bluestar or Common Bluestar, is celebrated among Kansas native flowers for its delicate and star-shaped, light blue to blueish white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in a variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for most yards requiring little garden maintenance. Typically growing to heights of 2 to 3 feet, Eastern Bluestar forms attractive mounds of fine-textured, green foliage that turns a lovely golden-yellow in the Fall. Beyond its visual appeal, this plant is a favorite among bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, contributing to the local ecosystem's health.
Native Plants for Shade
Zigzag Goldenrod
Solidago flexicaulis

Zigzag Goldenrod, aptly named for its unique zigzagging stems, is a native perennial flower that adds an enchanting touch to woodlands, shaded gardens, and natural habitats. This goldenrod variety is known for its graceful, arching stems bearing vibrant yellow, tufted blooms that brighten up shaded areas in late August to early fall. Thriving in partial to full shade and well-draining, moist soil, Zigzag Goldenrod typically reaches heights of 2 to 4 feet, forming dense clumps of serrated, lance-shaped leaves. Beyond its visual appeal, this wildflower supports pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an essential part of local ecosystems.
What You Can Do Today

Whether you live in Kansas City, Wichita, or further west, My Home Park has low maintenance, pre-designed gardens that bring together diverse sets of native plant species produced by expert, organic growers who draw on diversified gene lines. These gardens are designed to bloom from early spring to fall, beautifying your landscape while supporting wildlife. Check out our catalog for Kansas or in any of the other states we serve in to get started today!
Related Posts
- Knowledge
How can I help endangered Monarch Butterflies? And how can planting milkweed help?
Discover how you can help save the endangered monarch butterflies by taking simple steps towards conservation. Check out My Home Park's native plant collections, designed to support your efforts in supporting various pollinators like Monarch butterflies.
May 1, 2023
Native Plants vs. Lawns
Replace your lawn with native plants and save on lawn maintenance costs, water and more.
June 24, 2022
Challenges of Starting a Native Plant Garden and Overcoming Them
The fact is, native plant gardens come with their own set of challenges, although fewer than growing ornamental gardens or lawns. Learn more about the challenges and easy solutions to overcome them!
June 24, 2022
Let's Get Growing!
Shop Gardens