Native plants for San Diego County, California
1,744 native plants recorded in San Diego County, California
The USDA plant database has 2,943 plants recorded growing wild in San Diego County. 1,744 of them are native to the lower 48, and 469 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 1,003 wildflowers and herbs, 198 grasses and sedges, 255 shrubs, 151 low woody plants, 102 trees, 35 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 272 of them (16%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 19 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in San Diego County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 271 | 0 | 1,473 |
| Half shade | 229 | 42 | 1,473 |
| Under trees | 159 | 112 | 1,473 |
| Heavy clay | 157 | 115 | 1,472 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 188 | 84 | 1,472 |
| Never watered | 154 | 118 | 1,472 |
| Stays soggy | 99 | 173 | 1,472 |
Sun all day in San Diego County: 271 rated natives
83 wildflowers and herbs, 71 grasses and sedges, 51 shrubs, 42 trees, 19 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate 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 rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in San Diego County: 229 rated natives
62 wildflowers and herbs, 62 grasses and sedges, 47 shrubs, 36 trees, 18 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Fairyduster (Calliandra eriophylla) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Missouri gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in San Diego County: 159 rated natives
49 grasses and sedges, 36 shrubs, 35 wildflowers and herbs, 22 trees, 14 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fairyduster (Calliandra eriophylla) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Missouri gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in San Diego County: 157 rated natives
60 wildflowers and herbs, 50 grasses and sedges, 19 trees, 15 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Island gooseberry (Ribes viburnifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Missouri gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in San Diego County: 188 rated natives
49 shrubs, 44 grasses and sedges, 43 wildflowers and herbs, 36 trees, 12 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate 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 - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fairyduster (Calliandra eriophylla) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in San Diego County: 154 rated natives
44 shrubs, 37 grasses and sedges, 32 trees, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 17 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Fairyduster (Calliandra eriophylla) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Island gooseberry (Ribes viburnifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Missouri gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Rough menodora (Menodora scabra) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Royal penstemon (Penstemon speciosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in San Diego County: 99 rated natives
45 wildflowers and herbs, 35 grasses and sedges, 11 trees, 5 shrubs, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil · toxicity: slight - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives San Diego County has that most of California does not
223 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:
- Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica): only here
- American lotus (Nelumbo lutea): only here
- Palmer's Indian mallow (Abutilon palmeri): only here
- San Diego thorn-mint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia): only here
- California prickbush (Adolphia californica): only here
- Coastal agave (Agave shawii): only here
- Ambrosia leaf bur ragweed (Ambrosia ambrosioides): only here
- San Diego bur ragweed (Ambrosia chenopodiifolia): only here
- Cuyamaca rockcress (Arabis hirshbergiae): only here
- Otay manzanita (Arctostaphylos otayensis): only here
Where to start in San Diego County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where San Diego County gives you the most rated choice (271 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 99 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 1,472 unrated natives too.