North Carolina
Native plants in Raleigh
323 plants native to this area with Sow catalog pages.
66 of them need no watering beyond Raleigh’s own rainfall
Yard rebates in Raleigh
4 programs from the city, the county or local utilities pay residents for yard projects, plus 1 statewide. 2 ask for a plan or plant list before they approve a project.
- Open
City of Raleigh Drainage Assistance Program
City of Raleigh Stormwater
City-funded project (about $1.75 million per year program budget, about 10 projects per year); per-project amount not published
- OpenPlan required
City of Raleigh Rainwater Rewards (R3)
City of Raleigh Stormwater Management
City pays 90% of eligible project cost (effective 2026-07-01, citywide); 100% under the Subsidy Program for owners in potentially underserved communities, nonprofits and places of worship
- Open
City of Raleigh Stream Stabilization and Stream Bank Repair Workshops
City of Raleigh Stormwater
City-funded stabilization or workshop materials; dollar value not published
Showing 323 plants
Trees78
Canopy and structure
Shrubs65
Backbone planting
Grasses27
Movement and texture
Perennials153
Seasonal colour
Vines20
Verticals and screens
Ferns14
Shade and damp
Succulents3
Dry and architectural
When to plant in Raleigh
The median last spring frost is Mar 31 and the median first fall frost is Nov 4 at the Raleigh weather station (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, USDA Zone 8a). Each crop’s guide explains the rule behind its dates.
- Broccoli
Spring transplant: Mar 10 – Mar 24
Fall transplant: Jul 27 – Aug 26
- Cabbage
Spring transplant: Mar 10 – Mar 24
Fall transplant: Jul 22 – Aug 21
- Carrots
Spring sowing: Feb – Mar
Fall crop sowing: Jul 29 – Aug 26
- Corn
First sowing: Mid-Mar to May
Last sowing (early variety): End of May; no summer sowing
- Cucumbers
Direct sow or transplant: Apr 23 – May 21
Last sowing for fall harvest: Aug 1 – Aug 6
- Daffodil bulbs
Plant bulbs: Oct – Nov
- Garlic
Plant cloves (Zones 3–5): See Zones 6–10 column
Plant cloves (Zones 6–10): Sep 30 – Nov 11
- Grass seed
Cool-season grass (best): Sep 1 – Oct 1
Warm-season grass: Apr – Jul
- Green beans
Direct sow: Apr 16 – May 7
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 16
- Hydrangeas
Spring planting: Mar 31 – May 12
Fall planting: Oct – Dec (best season)
- Lettuce
Spring sowing: Mar 3 – Apr 28
Fall sowing: Aug 12 – Sep 9
- Onions
Late winter or spring planting: Transplants late Dec – Feb; seed Jan 15 – Feb 25
Fall planting (short-day types): Sep 5 – Oct 14
- Peas
Direct sow: Mar 3 – Mar 31
Fall sowing: Aug 12 – Sep 2
- Potatoes
Plant seed potatoes: Mar 10 – Mar 31
Fall crop (optional): Spring crop only
- Pumpkins
Direct sow: Apr 23 – May 14
Sow for Halloween: Mid-June to mid-July
- Radishes
Spring sowing: Mar 10 – Apr 14
Fall sowing: Aug 26 – Sep 23
- Roses
Bare-root roses: Mar 3 – Mar 21
Container roses: Mar 31 – Jun 14
- Strawberries
Plant dormant crowns (spring): Mar 3 – Mar 31
Plant plugs (fall): Sep 16 – Oct 7
- Sweet potatoes
Plant slips outdoors: May 1 – Jul 15
- Tomatoes
Frost-safe window: Apr 16 – May 7
- Tulip bulbs
Plant bulbs: Oct – Nov
Plant pre-chilled bulbs: Not needed (winter chills bulbs)
- Watermelon
Start planting (soil 65°F): Apr 23 – Apr 30
Last sowing (early varieties): Mid- to late June
- Wildflower seeds
Fall sowing window: Nov 16 – Dec 21
What sets the date: First hard freeze
- Zucchini
Direct sow or transplant: Apr 23 – May 14
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 6
More of North Carolina
- Asheville
- Cary
- Hickory
- Burlington
- Concord
- Gastonia
- Durham
- Greensboro
- Winston-Salem
- Charlotte
- High Point
- Fayetteville
Design a Raleigh 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.