Michigan
Native plants in Detroit
280 plants native to this area with Sow catalog pages.
32 of them need no watering beyond Detroit’s own rainfall
Yard rebates in Detroit
1 program from the city, the county or local utilities pay residents for yard projects.
- Open
DWSD Drainage Charge Residential Green Credit
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD)
Automatic 25% Green Credit on the residential drainage charge
Showing 280 plants
Trees55
Canopy and structure
Shrubs43
Backbone planting
Grasses23
Movement and texture
Perennials161
Seasonal colour
Vines9
Verticals and screens
Ferns13
Shade and damp
When to plant in Detroit
The median last spring frost is Apr 20 and the median first fall frost is Oct 27 at the Detroit weather station (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, USDA Zone 6b). Each crop’s guide explains the rule behind its dates.
- Broccoli
Spring transplant: Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall transplant: Jul 19 – Aug 18
- Cabbage
Spring transplant: Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall transplant: Jul 14 – Aug 13
- Carrots
Spring sowing: Mar 30 – Apr 27
Fall crop sowing: Jul 21 – Aug 18
- Corn
First sowing: Apr 20 – May 11
Last sowing (early variety): Early July
- Cucumbers
Direct sow or transplant: May 15 – Jun 12
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 24 – Jul 29
- Daffodil bulbs
Plant bulbs: Sep 22 – Oct 27
- Garlic
Plant cloves (Zones 3–5): See Zones 6–10 column
Plant cloves (Zones 6–10): Sep 22 – Nov 3
- Grass seed
Cool-season grass (best): Mid-Aug – mid-Sep
Warm-season grass: Use cool-season grass
- Green beans
Direct sow: May 8 – May 29
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 8
- Hydrangeas
Spring planting: Apr 20 – Jun 1
Fall planting: Sep 12 – Oct 24
- Lettuce
Spring sowing: Mar 23 – May 18
Fall sowing: Aug 4 – Sep 1
- Onions
Late winter or spring planting: Mar 23 – May 4
Fall planting (short-day types): Not recommended
- Peas
Direct sow: Mar 23 – Apr 20
Fall sowing: Aug 4 – Aug 25
- Potatoes
Plant seed potatoes: Mar 30 – Apr 20
Fall crop (optional): Spring crop only
- Pumpkins
Direct sow: May 15 – Jun 5
Sow for Halloween: Late May to mid-June
- Radishes
Spring sowing: Mar 30 – May 4
Fall sowing: Aug 18 – Sep 15
- Roses
Bare-root roses: Mar 23 – Apr 10
Container roses: Apr 20 – Jul 4
- Strawberries
Plant dormant crowns (spring): Mar 23 – Apr 20
Plant plugs (fall): Not advised; plant in spring
- Sweet potatoes
Plant slips outdoors: May 29 – Jun 19
- Tomatoes
Frost-safe window: May 8 – May 29
- Tulip bulbs
Plant bulbs: Sep 22 – Oct 27
Plant pre-chilled bulbs: Not needed (winter chills bulbs)
- Watermelon
Start planting (soil 65°F): May 15 – May 22
Last sowing (early varieties): Jun 21 – Jun 28
- Wildflower seeds
Fall sowing window: Nov 7 – Dec 12
What sets the date: First hard freeze
- Zucchini
Direct sow or transplant: May 15 – Jun 5
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 4 – Jul 29
More of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- South Lyon
- Farmington Hills
- Port Huron
- Rochester Hills
- Wyoming
- Jackson
- Holland
- Troy
- Battle Creek
- Southfield
- Lansing
Design a Detroit garden with these plants
Snap a photo of your yard and Sow places real, zone-matched plants into it — then keeps the watering and care schedule for everything you plant.