---
title: How to Plant Your Native Plants
description: Whether you've got acres of land or containers on your balcony or patio, you can make a difference by planting with native plants.
image: https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/how-to-plant-a-small-container-shrub.png
---
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# How to Plant Your Native Plants
By [Kelly LaVaute | March 23, 2024](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/author/kelly-lavaute)
Prepare to plant your native plants by reviewing this step-by-step planting guide - complete with a video tutorial, detailed tips on planting flowering perennials vs shrubs, and recommendations for container planting vs garden beds.
[](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJZmilGhloXEatdMrBbrauZuc%2Fa%2FqpbBKE5KohNmt%2BSRInqb8v%2BSNOP2cXZUZnsRunz%2FA3Qbd8c3%2FfRZs7IsnNCe3DmoPUB%2FI5EvVZQ6QqyB13x22YaCHXT1J484VdjjOxI0WM4%2FJnLw3FW5tshf9CJQPzX1G0CYoS9juakzv%2B6cvoCnbuYdkJ2jC0hB7aVt%2FSuwzKTyyxI%2Fk3R0TXV1RD%2FPO0tERgARcU6%2Bw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=160479738010&portalId=43941187)
**Congrats on your decision to plant with a purpose!** When you garden with [native plants](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/native-plants-everything-you-need-to-know), you’ll help wildlife and the planet, while also enjoying the beauty of nature just outside your home.
Building your wildlife garden is easy with our [Garden for Wildlife® native plant collections](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/native-plant-collections). The plants you’ll receive will help and attract high numbers of wildlife, provide colorful bloom across multiple seasons, and return every year.
Here's what to expect when you order plants online through [gardenforwildlife.com](https://gardenforwildlife.com/).
1\. The plants
Each plant is shipped in an easy-to-plant size with a developed root mass and emerging foliage. Please keep in mind these are living organisms, so each plant will vary slightly in size, shape, and color – and will grow and change as they return each year.
2\. The packaging
To ensure your plants stay safe and healthy during transport, we package them in secure containers made of recyclable materials. Additionally, we ship different collections separately, so you may receive multiple shipments.
3\. The delivery
You won’t need to be present for delivery, but you should retrieve your plants and remove them from their packaging ASAP to water them and provide fresh air and sunlight. The soil should be moist, not a puddle of water, and the plants are watered before shipping so they might not need water right away.
They will be delivered in 3" pots or 1 gallon containers and do not need to be planted right away. If your delivery arrives on Wednesday, you can safely wait to plant them on Saturday. Just make sure to remove them from the box!
For early spring deliveries, be mindful of any frost advisories in your area. We wait to ship your plants until the last average frost date in your region but a surprise cold snap could be just around the corner. Simply cover your plants with a sheet or tarp overnight if there will be frost to keep them safe.
## Ready to get your hands dirty? Watch this 5-minute video tutorial.
Watch this step-by-step video tutorial with National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski on how to plant your Garden for Wildlife® native plants:
If you want it in writing, keep reading!
## 4 Easy Steps to Planting Your Wildlife Garden
Once you’ve decided where you’ll be planting (see tips for that below), remove the plants from the box and follow these steps to get your plants in the ground:
| ####  | #### Step #1: PREP If you’re planting in a container, this is as simple as layering a couple inches of broken clay or small rocks of various sizes at the bottom of the container and then topping with a mix of potting soil with organic compost. Make sure your container has drainage. If you’re planting in the ground or a garden bed, you’ll want to remove any lawn or weeds and break up the soil. |
| --- | --- |
|  | #### Step #2: PLANT Dig a hole in the soil slightly wider than and equal in depth to the plant package. Loosen plant plugs from packaging by pushing up from the bottom, being careful to not hold or pull plants by their stems. Cup the root mass in your hand and gently place in the hole. |
|  | #### Step #3: PAT Pat down the soil around the plant base. Add mulch as needed to help retain moisture, taking care that the mulch does NOT touch the plant stems. We can't emphasize this enough. Do not smother your new plants with a thick layer of mulch! |
|  | #### Step #4: POUR Water thoroughly right away, soaking the plants at their base. Continue to water daily for at least the first two weeks as your plant’s roots become established. If the weather is hot and dry, continue to water regularly. The best way to know if you need to water is to check the soil directly. Gently stick your finger into the soil about 1-2 inches down, near the base of the seedling. If it feels dry at that depth: It's time to water. If it feels moist: You can likely wait. Check again later or the next day. Note: Once your native plants mature and bloom, they will fill out the space and require less mulch to prevent weeds and retain moisture. They will also need less water as native plants offer low-maintenance beauty. Please never use pesticides or herbicides in or near your wildlife garden! |
**That’s it; you’re now a wildlife gardener!** We can’t wait for you to experience the beauty these plants will bring you, along with the joys of seeing wildlife come to visit your garden.
## Where to Plant Your Wildlife Garden
If you bought  [full-sun native plants](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/native-plants-for-full-sun-conditions), you’ll want to choose an area with at least 6 hours of sun per day. Our sets of  [native plants for shade](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/native-plants-for-full-shade-conditions) should be placed somewhere that gets around zero to 3 hours of sun per day.
Take note of the light requirements, soil conditions, plant height, and spread measurements on the [plant product pages](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/buy-all-native-plants-online-garden-for-wildlife) to identify the best location for your plants.
Many of our collections can be planted in [patio containers](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/native-plant-gardening-for-patios-and-balconies), with a few exceptions for plants that will grow too big (see sizing information on each plant product page).
### Planting Native Plants in a Garden Bed
When planted in the ground, your plants will spread wider and grow taller, while also helping underground soil systems. When planted densely, native plants can crowd out weeds (another win!). Take note of the plant height and spread measurements for each species. This information is included on the back of your plant tags as well as the [plant product pages](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/buy-all-native-plants-online-garden-for-wildlife).
Taller plants should be placed in the "back," followed by medium plants and then the shortest plants in the "front" of your garden bed (see graphics below). This is done to prevent the taller plants from casting shade on shorter plants, ensuring that all plants receive adequate sunlight throughout the day.
Some additional tips for planting your garden bed include:
- Remove any lawn, weeds or debris, and break up the soil.
- If desired, use [organic compost](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/turn-scraps-into-soil-the-importance-of-composting-in-sustainable-gardening) to enrich your soil.
- Once plants are mature and in bloom, they will fill out the space and require less mulch to prevent weeds and retain moisture.
- Add a bird bath or make a puddling dish using a clay saucer to collect rainwater along with some pebbles to create a resting and drinking spot for wildlife.
  
### Planting in a Container
Many of our plants can be planted in containers; however, it is possible that they will spread over time and require staking, trimming, or dividing to maintain a suitable size for containers. Please note the plant sizing information included on each [plant product page](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/buy-all-native-plants-online-garden-for-wildlife) (not ALL of our plants are suitable for containers).
   For three plants, you’ll need a minimum 36” round container or 3x4 foot box or raised bed with drainage holes. If using containers, be sure to layer in 2” broken clay pot or small rocks of various sizes for drainage.
 Individual plants can be planted in their own smaller containers, each at least 12”-24” inches.
## How to Plant a Native Shrub
[Native shrubs](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/native-shrubs) (and trees) have slightly different planting requirements that you should take note of. In addition to light requirements and soil conditions, your shrubs will need more space than the perennial wildflowers and grasses. Digging the hole for shrubs also requires a different approach.
Here are 4 simple tips for planting native shrubs:
1. Dig a hole at least two times wider than your plant's root ball, but no deeper than the height of the root ball. Plant 36 to 72 inches apart to allow room for spread.
2. Loosen plants by gently massaging the sides of the container, then tipping upside down into your palm, being careful to not hold plants by their stems or disturb the root zone.
3. Cup the root mass in your hand and gently place it into the hole. Because container plants are usually grown in high organic soil mixes, we recommend adding organic matter to the backfill. Be sure to blend this into the backfill, using as much native soil as possible. Pat down soil around the plant base.
4. Add two-three inches of mulch to help retain moisture, taking care that the mulch does not touch plant stems, and water thoroughly.
The first 1-2 weeks is the most critical period for newly planted shrubs. Water deeply every 2-3 days, checking the soil daily to ensure the root ball doesn't dry out. Use a hose on a slow, steady trickle or a soaker hose placed at the base of the shrub. Let the water run long enough to thoroughly saturate the entire root zone. A good rule of thumb is to imagine filling the container the plant came in with water 2-3 times. For a 3-gallon shrub, that could mean 5-10 minutes with a slow-trickling hose!
As the roots begin to grow into the surrounding soil (3-6 months), you can reduce the frequency. Water deeply about twice a week during hot, dry weather, and once a week in cooler conditions. Always let the "finger test" be your ultimate guide. Rainy weather counts as a watering!
### We’d love to see your garden grow!
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