Native Plants

Native Plant List for Ohio and Indiana

Last updated: September 4, 2026

This is a “starter” list of native plants for Ohio and Indiana. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.

Ohio and Indiana Trees

Common Name	Scientific Name	Sun	Moisture	Height	Comments
Striped Maple	Acer pensylvanicum	P-S	A-W	16-33 ft	Shade-loving understory tree; striped bark, sex-changing flowers
Silver maple	Acer saccharinum	F-P	A-W	60–75 ft	Lacy leaves with a white bloom on the underside
Ohio buckeye	Aesculus glabra	F-P	A	30–50 ft	Yellow flowers; yellow/orange fall color; abundant nuts
Shadblow	Amelanchier canadensis	F	D	1–20 ft	White flowers bloom in early spring; edible fruit
Paw Paw	Asimina triloba	P-S	A	40 ft	Unique fruit resembles & tastes like bananas
River Birch	Betula nigra	F	A-W	40–70 ft	Modest yellow fall color; seed attracts birds
American Hornbeam	Carpinus carolineana	P-S	W-A	20–30 ft	Good street tree; yellow, orange, scarlet fall color
Pecan	Carya illinoinensis	F	A-W	70-100 ft	Large bottomland tree; needs 2nd tree to pollinate well
American Chestnut	Castanea dentata	F-P	A	60–100 ft	Chestnut blight-susceptible; mostly stump sprouts now
Northern Catalpa	Catalpa speciosa	F-P	A-W	40–70 ft	Fast grower; huge leaves; long pods; brittle wood; small native range
Redbud	Cersis canadensis	F-S	A-D	20–30 ft	In April clusters of rosy pink flowers line branches
Fringe Tree	Chionanthus virginicus	F-P	A-W	15–20 ft	Wispy clusters of white flowers appear in late spring
Yellowwood	Cledrastris lutea	F	A	30–50 ft	Clusters of fragrant white flowers; yellow fall color
Green hawthorn	Crataegus viridis	F-P	A-W	20-35 ft	Small tree, white spring flowers, red fruit holds into winter
Spindletree	Euonymus atropurpureus	P-S	A	8–12 ft	Small purplish flowers become red fruit; red fall color
Green Ash	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	F-P	A	50–60 ft	Grows fast; yellow fall color
American Holly	Ilex opaca	F-P	A-D	20–40 ft	To ensure fruit one male is needed per 2-3 females
Butternut	Juglans cinerea	F	A	40-60 ft	Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua	F	W-A	60–85 ft	Brilliant scarlet-red, red-purple fall color
Tulip Poplar	Liriodendron tulipfera	F	A	70–90 ft	Large tulip-like flowers are yellow, green & orange
Bigleaf Magnolia	Magnolia macrophylla	P-F	A-W	30-40 ft	Largest native leaf & flower; needs shelter from wind, rich moist soil
Black Gum	Nyssa sylvatica	F	A-D	30–60 ft	Scarlet red autumn color
Sourwood	Oxyodendrum	F-P	A	30 ft	D rooping fragrant white flowers; pink/red fall color
Pitch Pine	Pinus rigida	F	D-A	40–60 ft	Fire-adapted conifer for sandy, rocky, or barren infertile sites
Eastern White Pine	Pinus strobus	F	A	50–80 ft	Bluish-green evergreen needles
Overcup Oak	Quercus lyrata	F	A-W	40-60 ft	Bottomland tree; flood-tolerant; acorn cup encloses most of nut
Blackjack Oak	Quercus marilandica	F	A-D	20–50 ft	Tolerates poor, dry, rocky soil; very slow-growing
Chinkapin Oak	Quercus muehlenbergii	F-P	A-D	40-60 ft	Limestone-loving shade tree; sweet low-tannin acorns feed wildlife
Pin Oak	Quercus palustris	P-S	A-W	60–80 ft	Russett, bronze, red fall color
Shumard Oak	Quercus shumardii	F-P	A	60-100 ft	Fast-growing large shade tree, tolerant of alkaline soil
Black Locust	Robinia pseudoacacia	F-P	A-D	30–50 ft	Fast nitrogen-fixer; suckers freely; toxic parts; Appalachian/Ozark
Black Willow	Salix nigra	F-P	A-W	50 ft or more	Host plant for butterflies
American Hemlock	Tsuga canadensis	F-S	A	40–60 ft	Evergreen with pendulous look; intolerant of drought

Ohio and Indiana Shrubs

Common Name	Scientific Name	Sun	Moisture	Height	Comments
Red Chokeberry	Aronia arbutifolia	F-P	W-D	5–10 ft	Brilliant red fruit; striking scarlet to orange fall color
Black Chokeberry	Aronia melanocarpus	F-P	D-W	3–5 ft	Dependable showy orange, burgundy, purple fall color
Sweet Shrub	Calycanthus floridus	F-S	A	6–10 ft	Interesting red or maroon strawberry-scented flowers
Buttonbush	Cephalanthus occidentalis	F-P	W-A	3–8 ft	Golf-ball like flowers hang and attract butterflies
Leatherleaf	Chamaedaphne calyculata	F-P	W	1-3 ft	Evergreen bog shrub; acidic, saturated soil; early white flowers
Sweet Pepperbush	Clethra alnifolia	F-P	W-A	2–4 ft	Ivory white fragrant blooms in summer
Trailing Arbutus	Epigaea repens	P-S	A	4-6 in	Fragrant evergreen groundcover; acidic soil; never dig from wild
Witch Hazel	Hamamelis virginica	F-S	A-D	8–20 ft	Golden yellow flowers in fall
Wild Hydrangea	Hydrangea arborescens	P-F	A	3–5 ft	Large clusters of creamy white flowers bloom in June
Winterberry	Ilex verticillata	F-P	W-A	6–10 ft	Greenish-white flowers bloom in early spring
Sweetspire	Itea virginica	F-P	W-D	3–6 ft	Whte blooms in early summer; red & orange fall color
Spicebush	Lindera benzoin	P-S	W-A	8–15 ft	Yellow blooms in early spring
Bayberry	Myrica pennsylvanica	F	D-W	5–8 ft	Semi-evergreen; transplants well
Clove Bush	Ribes odoratum	F-P	A	6–12 ft	Yellow flowers with strong clove scent; birds eat berries
Elderberry	Sambucus canadensis	F-P	W-A	5–10 ft	Pinnate leaves; blooms early summer
Poison Sumac	Toxicodendron vernix	F-P	W	6-30 ft	Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant
Maple Leaf Viburnum	Viburnum acerifolium	F-P	A-D	6 ft	Pie-shaped clusters of white flowers; beautiful fall color
Northern Arrowwood	Viburnum dentatum	F-P	D-A	5–9 ft	Flowers May-Jun; small blue-black berries in fall
Nannyberry	Viburnum lentago	F-P	A-D	18 ft	White flat-topped clusters up to 5" across in May
Blackhaw	Viburnum prunifolium	F-P	A-D	8–15 ft	Creamy white flowers in spring
American Cranberry	Viburnum trilobum	F-P	A-W	8–12 ft	White flowers & edible, bright red fruit attracts birds

Ohio and Indiana Flowering Perennials

Common Name	Scientific Name	Sun	Moisture	Height	Comments
White Yarrow	Achillea millifolium	F	D	⅔–5 ft	2-6" clusters of pink, white or yellow flowers Jun & Sept
Sweetflag	Acorus calamus	F	W	12–36 in	This grass is a nice vertical long-leaf garden feature
Doll's Eyes	Actea pachypoda	P-S	A	12–30 in	Small bright white flowers; poisonous white berries
Nodding Wild Onion	Allium cernuum	F-P	A-D	8–20 in	Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant
Wild Columbine	Aquilegia canadensis	P-S	A-D	12–30 in	Unique red & yellow flowers attract hummingbirds
Jack-in-the-pulpit	Arisaema triphyllum	P-S	A	12 in or more	Spathe appears Mar-May; red berries late sum-fall
Goat's Beard	Aruncus dioicus	P-S	A	4–6 ft	6-10" plumes of small cream-colored flowers
Ginger	Asarum canadense	P-S	A	6 in	Evergreen groundcover; glossy heart-shaped leaves
Common Milkweed	Asclepia syriaca	F-P	A	2–4 ft	Pink clusters of fragrant flowers; food of larval Monarch
Butterfly Weed	Asclepia tuberosa	F	A-D	24–36 in	Brilliant orange flowers; butterfly host plant
New England Aster	Aster novae-angliae	F	A	3–7 ft	Bright lavender flowers with yellow centers late sum-fall
White False Indigo	Baptesia lactea	F-P	A	3–5 ft	Vivid stalks of white flowers grow rapidly
Marsh Marigold	Caltha palustris	F	A	12–24 in	1-1.5" bright yellow flowers in spring & summer
Blue Cohosh	Cauloph. thalictroides	P-S	A	12–24 in	small yellow flowers, blue berries in grape-like clusters
Turtlehead	Chelone glabra	F-P	A	12–36 in	White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall
Green and Gold	Chrysogonum virginianum	P	A	4–10 in	Long-blooming spreading groundcover; part shade; woodland edges
Bugbane	Cimifuga racemosa	P-S	A	3–8 ft	Long slender candle-like clusters of white flowers
Atlantic Pigeonwings	Clitoria mariana	F-P	D	1–2 ft	Twining vine; dry sandy/rocky soil; showy upright lavender flowers
Dutchman's Breeches	Dicentra cucullaria	S	A	12 in	White & yellow flowers resemble a pair of pantaloons
Shooting Star	Dodecatheon meadia	F-P	A	12–24 in	Delicate white/pink petals, red & yellow center
Joe-pye-weed	Eupatorium fistulosa	F-P	A	5–8 ft	Purplish-pink flowers explode attracting butterflies
White Boneset	Eupatorium perfoliatum	F-P	A-W	2–4 ft	Flat-top clusters of small white flowers in fall
Flowering Spurge	Euphorbia corolatta	F	A-D	2–4 ft	"Baby's breath of the Prairie" blooms in Aug
Queen-of-the-Prairie	Fillipendula rubra	F	A	4–5 ft	Show-stopping large pink plumes in Jun-Jul
Wild Geranium	Geranium maculatum	F-S	A	12–24 in	1" lavender-purple flowers in spring
Jerusalem Artichoke	Helianthus tuberosus	F-P	A-D	7 ft	Attracts butterflies
St. John's Wort	Hypericum spp.	F-S	A-D	1–4 ft	3" yellow flowers; dark green foliage(groundcover)
Dwarf Crested Iris	Iris cristata	P-S	A-D	4–8 in	Pale lavender-blue crested flowers Apr-May
Yellow Water Iris	Iris pseudoacorus	F-P	A-W	36 in	NON-NATIVE and invasive in multiple U.S. states; not for native planting. Source
Spiked Gayfeather	Liatris spicata	F	A	2–5 ft	Bright pinkish-purple stalks of interesting flowers Aug
Great Blue Lobelia	Lobelia siphilitica	P-S	W	12–36 in	Elongated cluster of pale to dard blue flowers late sum
Moneywort	Lysimachia nummularia	F-P	A	3–6 in	Nonnative in OH/IN; potentially invasive. Avoid in native plantings. Source
Yellow Loosestrife	lysmachia punctata	F-P	A	36 in	NON-NATIVE (Europe/Asia); not recommended for native planting. Source.
Virginia Blue Bells	Mertensia virginica	P-S	A	12–24 in	Pink flower buds open to sky blue Mar-Apr
Bee Balm	Monarda didyma	F-P	A	3–4 ft	Edible leaves; flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds
Blue Phlox	Phlox divaricata	P-S	A	10–20 in	Covered with 1.5" lavender to pink flowers in spring
Jacob's Ladder	Polemonium reptans	P-S	A	12 in	Terminal clusters of light blue, bell-shaped flowers Apr
Solomon's Seal	Polygonatum biflorum	P-S	A	18–30 in	Small creamy white to green bells hang from leaf axils
Black-eyed Susan	Rudbeckia hirta	F	A-D	24–36 in	2-4" flower heads with 10-20 bright yellow petals
Sweet Black-eyed Susan	Rudbeckia subtomentosa	F-P	A-W	3-6 ft	Fragrant foliage, long bloom; prefers consistently moist soil
Brown-eyed Susan	Rudbeckia triloba	F-P	A	24–36 in	Hundreds of small deep gold daisy-like flowers
Bloodroot	Sanguinaria canadensis	S	A	6–10 in	2" white flowers with yellow centers; roots have red sap
Sedum	Sedum ternatum	F-P	A	2–4 in	Fleshy evergreen foliage; white star-like flowers spring
Canada Goldenrod	Solidago canadensis	F-P	A	2-5 ft	Fast-spreading fall bloomer, superb for pollinators; needs room
Celadine Poppy	Stylophorum diphyllum	S	A	18 in	2" wide lemon-yellow flowers
Foam Flower	Tiarella cordifolia	P-S	A	6–12 in	Evergreen groundcover; feathery white flowers Apr-Jun
Trillium	Trillium spp.	S	A	6–12 in	White/pink flowers have 3 broad petals, spring bloom
Ironweed	Vernonia noveboracensis	F-P	W	4–6 ft	Purple flowers attract butterflies in summer
Blue Wood Violet	Viola papilionacea	P-S	A	6–10 in	Purple violet blooms in spring; spreads readily
Yellow Root	Xanthorhiz. simplicissima	F-P	A-W	24 in	Plum-colored flowers(spring); orange & purple fall color
Soapweed	Yucca glauca	F	D	12–36 in	Stiff, narrow leaves; white bell-shaped blossoms

Ohio and Indiana Perennial Ferns

Common Name	Scientific Name	Sun	Moisture	Height	Comments
Cinnamon Fern	Osmunda cinnamomea	F-P	A-W	2–4 ft	Circular cluster of arching fronds; brown fertile fronds
Christmas Fern	Polystickum acrostichoides	S	A	12–36 in	Stiff deep green fronds are once-pinnate
Goldie Fern	Dryopteris goldieana (syn. D. goldiana)	P-S	A-W	3–4 ft	Moist rich woodland soil; avoid stagnant water; broad deciduous fronds.
Leatherwood Fern	Dryopteris marginalis	S	A	24–36 in	Deak green leathery-looking evergreen fern
Lady Fern	Athyrium felix-femina	S	A-W	18–24 in	Delicate & lacy arching fronds; dark red stems at matur
Maidenhair Fern	Adianthum pedatum	S	A	18–36 in	Fan-shaped blue-green fronds; delicate black stems
Royal Fern	Osmunda regalis	P	A-W	2–6 ft	Bi-pinnate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves
Sensitive Fern	Onoclea sensibillis	F-P	A-W	12–24 in	Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock

Sun Exposure	Soil Moisture	Drought Tolerance
F = Full Sun	W = Wet	E = Excellent
P = Part Sun	A = Average	G = Good
S = Shade	D = Dry	M = Moderate
		P = Poor

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Native Plant List for Ohio and Indiana