Crawling vines, sprawling shrubs, blooming wildflowers, towering trees, and more—the plants of Massachusetts bring our landscapes to life. From salt marshes grasses to green mountain ridgelines, each environment shares its story through plants. Take a closer look and you’ll discover a dynamic patchwork of species, each playing a role in supporting the healthy ecosystems we know and love. 

What's the Difference Between Native, Invasive, and Introduced Plants? 

Through the conservation lens, one way we can categorize plants is based on how they interact with their habitat. Native plants have coevolved with the other life in their habitat, non-native plants have been introduced by humans to a new habitat, and invasive plants are introduced species that spread aggressively and harm local ecosystems.

Native Plants 

Native plants have evolved over thousands of years alongside local wildlife and other plants, forming intricate and mutually beneficial relationships. These plants provide food, shelter, and breeding habitat to insects, birds, mammals, and more. 

For example, New England Aster, a native plant, has evolved alongside local pollinators, making it a reliable late-season nectar source for species like migrating monarchs and native bees. Because it's part of this region’s long standing plant community, it supports the life cycles of local insects that in turn feed birds and other wildlife—helping to sustain the web of life even as the growing season winds down. 

Explore our list of native and beneficial Massachusetts plants

Invasive Plants 

Invasive plants come from other regions—introduced intentionally (like for ornamental use) or by accident—and spread aggressively in local ecosystems. Without the natural checks and balances, they outcompete native species, reduce habitat quality, and disrupt food webs. 

Take Japanese Knotweed: introduced from Asia in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant, it now dominates streambanks and disturbed soils. Its thick stems create dense stands that block light, reduce water access for wildlife, and displace native wildflowers. 

Explore our list of invasive plants in Massachusetts

Introduced (Non-native) Plants 

Not all non-native plants cause harm. Some coexist without significantly disrupting local ecosystems. For example, Lilac, originally from Europe, grows in gardens and hedgerows but does not aggressively spread into wild habitats. 

Still, it's important to evaluate the ecological role of any introduced species before planting. 

How Plants Shape Massachusetts Habitats

Plants form the foundation of every ecosystem in Massachusetts. From forest canopies to flowering meadows, they anchor soil, filter water, store carbon, and provide essential food and shelter for wildlife. 

Mass Audubon prioritizes protecting and restoring native plant communities because thriving habitats depend on them. Our resilient land management work focuses on removing invasive species, supporting native biodiversity, and creating resilient landscapes where plants—and the life they sustain—can flourish for generations to come.

5 Ways You Can Support Plants in Massachusetts 

1. Grow Native Plants 

Encourage biodiversity by planting species native to Massachusetts, which provide essential food and habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife.  

Get our list of native & beneficial plant species 

2. Remove Invasive Species 

Learn to identify and remove invasive plants that threaten native ecosystems and avoid buying or planting them. 

Get our list of invasive plants in Massachusetts 

3. Practice Sustainable Gardening 

Get your hands dirty with our hub of ecologically responsible landscaping tips, visit a local demonstration garden, take a sustainable gardening class, and more. 

Find gardening and landscaping resources

4. Join a Habitat Restoration Project 

Volunteer to help remove invasives, plant natives, or monitor habitat health at a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary. 

Learn more about volunteering

5. Become a Mass Audubon Member 

Your membership helps fund land conservation, habitat protection, and environmental education across the state. 

Join Mass Audubon