Native plants for Charleston County, South Carolina
923 native plants recorded in Charleston County, South Carolina
The USDA plant database has 1,234 plants recorded growing wild in Charleston County. 923 of them are native to the lower 48, and 123 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 481 wildflowers and herbs, 161 grasses and sedges, 59 shrubs, 50 low woody plants, 123 trees, 49 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 300 of them (33%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 13 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Charleston County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 300 | 0 | 623 |
| Half shade | 199 | 101 | 623 |
| Under trees | 116 | 184 | 623 |
| Heavy clay | 216 | 84 | 623 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 208 | 92 | 623 |
| Never watered | 120 | 178 | 625 |
| Stays soggy | 169 | 131 | 623 |
Sun all day in Charleston County: 300 rated natives
97 trees, 82 wildflowers and herbs, 66 grasses and sedges, 33 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 11 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Charleston County: 199 rated natives
61 trees, 55 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 16 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Charleston County: 116 rated natives
36 trees, 34 grasses and sedges, 27 wildflowers and herbs, 9 shrubs, 8 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Charleston County: 216 rated natives
64 wildflowers and herbs, 64 trees, 51 grasses and sedges, 21 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 7 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Charleston County: 208 rated natives
73 trees, 48 wildflowers and herbs, 46 grasses and sedges, 27 shrubs, 7 vines, 7 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Charleston County: 120 rated natives
40 trees, 34 wildflowers and herbs, 20 grasses and sedges, 18 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Charleston County: 169 rated natives
52 grasses and sedges, 48 wildflowers and herbs, 44 trees, 17 shrubs, 4 vines, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Nodding lady's tresses (Spiranthes cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Sharpwing monkeyflower (Mimulus alatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Stiff marsh bedstraw (Galium tinctorium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Dwarf witchalder (Fothergilla gardenii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Charleston County has that most of South Carolina does not
49 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of South Carolina's 46 counties. A few of them:
- Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula): only here
- Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum): only here
- Eastern annual saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum subulatum): only here
- Seaside amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus): only here
- Spleenwort (Asplenium ×heteroresiliens): only here
- Manyflower grasspink (Calopogon multiflorus): only here
- Shiny woodoats (Chasmanthium nitidum): only here
- Bigfruit hawthorn (Crataegus macrosperma): only here
- Jointed flatsedge (Cyperus articulatus): only here
- Swamp flatsedge (Cyperus distinctus): only here
Where to start in Charleston County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Charleston County gives you the most rated choice (300 plants), and Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 116 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 623 unrated natives too.