Native Plants Program

Volunteers gather native prairie seed from remnant and conserved prairies across Southeast Texas. These sites represent some of the most intact, least disturbed pieces of the historic coastal prairie and contain the strongest remaining native plant genetics.

Seeds collected from these landscapes are especially valuable because they are well adapted to local soils, rainfall, and climate. They provide the ideal foundation for growing plants that will thrive in restoration projects, community spaces, and prairie plantings throughout the region.

By collecting seed from healthy prairies, volunteers help ensure that prairie restoration across Southeast Texas remains rooted in the genetics that are adapted to this climate.

Volunteers grow native prairie plants at home using locally collected seed. CPC provides all the materials needed to grow at home, including seeds, pots, and instructions, at no cost to participants.

Some of the plants grown through the Great Grow Out are returned to CPC for use in prairie restoration, preserve plantings, and community pocket prairies. Others can be planted by growers right where they live in their own yards, schools, or shared spaces. This step allows thousands of native plants to be grown each year while engaging families, schools, civic groups, and companies in hands-on conservation.

At the Indiangrass Preserve, volunteers grow out seedlings, plant native wildflowers and grasses, maintain trails, and support CPC’s restoration work. This is also where plants grown through the Great Grow Out are prepared to return to the prairie.

Together, seed collectors, growers, and nursery volunteers help CPC plant tens of thousands of native plants, including a major effort to establish 20,000 milkweed plants for monarch butterflies across the Katy Prairie.

While much of CPC’s native plant work focuses on restoring and stewarding large prairie landscapes, we also support native plant education in neighborhoods, schools, and community spaces through our 9 Natives program.

9 Natives was created in partnership with Houston NPAT and Clark Condon to identify a carefully selected group of prairie plants that grow well together, thrive in Southeast Texas, and support pollinators and birds throughout the year.

Nine species for shade and nine species for sun were chosen because they bloom at different times, provide nectar, pollen, and seed, and vary in height and structure. Together, they form a small native plant community that reflects the beauty and function of the historic coastal prairie.

Through 9 Natives, CPC provides garden plans, videos, and plant guides that make it easy for individuals, homeowners, schools, and neighborhoods to create pocket prairie gardens at home and in shared spaces. For an additional resource on creating pocket prairies, go to https://www.hereinhouston.org/build-a-pocket-prairie.