GOING WILD WITH NATIVES: Got Water Loving Plants?
- k-england
- Nov 1
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
By Susan Lewitt, for Let’s Talk Plants! November 2025.
Western Marsh Rosemary is a fast-growing perennial herb that likes full sun and moisture. It is seen here next to a member of the Aster family. “Limonium californicum (Sea Lavender, western marsh rosemary)” by Derell Licht is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
Got Water Loving Plants?
Do you have an area that takes lots of water and possibly stays wet? There are some native plant species that can tolerate these conditions because they are found in places such as riparian areas, marshes, and vernal pools. Many of these still require less water than their exotic counterparts, which makes them easier to maintain, plus they support our local biodiversity.
“Water loving California native plants play a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem. These plants are not only essential for the survival of many wetland, and marsh species, but also serve as crucial habitats for various butterflies, and moths. They thrive in environments with moist soil, often near water sources, like streambeds, seeps, or other damp areas. Additionally, they contribute to the overall biodiversity of wetlands, and moist inland regions, making them a cornerstone of Californias Native flora.” (CNPSSD.ORG)
Here are some species that fit this category:
Tall Flatsedge. Photos by Keir Morse.
TALL FLATSEDGE (Cyperus eragrostis) also known as Nutsedge, and Tall Cyperus, is a sedge that prefers wetland-riparian areas. Because of its prolific growth habit, it has the potential to become a weed and be hard to control. It grows throughout much of California including vernal pools, streambanks, ditches and other moist areas. Located in full sun, it should get lots of water and be kept moist in standing water. Many native wetland riparian species work well with this sedge including trees and shrubs. Those riparian species are Maples (Acer spp.), Alders (Alnus spp.), Dogwood (alochortu.), California Walnut (Juglans californica or hindsii), Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), Cottonwood (Populus spp.), Currant/Gooseberry (Ribes spp.), wild rose (Rosa spp.), Willows (Salix spp.), and wild grape (Vitis californica or girdiana). Various other wetland grasses and grass-like plants such as Spikerush (Eleocharis spp.) and Rushes (Juncus spp.) also make good companions. Tall Flatsedge supports wildlife such as the Javelin Moth (Bactra verutana) and the Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris).
Yerba Mansa. Photos courtesy of Calscape.
YERBA MANSA or Lizard Tail (Anemopsis californica) is an attractive perennial herb that occurs in California, from the San Francisco Area down through San Diego. Look for it in muddy creek banks, seeps, springs and other wet areas. It has been used to treat some medical issues (https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/yerba-mansa/). It has a pleasing fragrance, and its flowers, which can be white, and cream, appear in the winter through the summer. This plant will give you some bright red fall color. It may be upright or spreading, reaching about 12” tall and 2’ wide. Yerba mansa works as a ground cover and in wet areas. Grow it in partial shade to full sun. The soil, which may be of any type, should be kept moist and can be medium to slow draining or even have standing water. A really cool plant to have with Yerba Mansa is one of two native San Diego orchids, known as Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea). It will also do well with Yellow Monkeyflower (Mimulus ‘Yellow’), rushes, sedges, Iris spp., and Equisetum spp.
Scarlet Monkeyflower. Photos by Neal Kramer
SCARLET MONKEYFLOWER (Erythranthe cardinalis) is also a good companion for Yerba Mansa, and is found in a good portion of California, and Baja California. It may be found in near dry habitats, but usually in moist places such as bogs, stream banks, and meadows. This perennial herb reaches about 3’ tall and 3’ wide, quickly to moderately growing upright. It will be covered in red and orange flowers for a good portion of the year. Place this plant in partial shade to full sun, in slow to fast draining soil, or even with standing water. Keep it moist especially during the summer. Plant communities where it is naturally found include Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, and Wetland-Riparian. That makes it a good companion for other plants that do well in moist areas, such as Seep Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata), Western Columbine (Aquilegia alocho), Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana), and Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea). The Scarlet Monkeyflower supports a wide range of wildlife from birds including hummingbirds, to bees, bats, caterpillars and butterflies.
Left photo: An elegant visitor to Scarlet Monkeyflower, “Annaphila decia” by David A. Hofmann is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Right photo: Got Scarlet Monkey Flowers? If so, you’ll attract more hummingbirds! (“Right Time Wrong Place” by A Camera Story is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.3)
CALIFORNIA GRAPE (Vitis californica) and the WOODLAND STRAWBERRY (Fragaria vesca) take a bit of water, up to three times a month once established in slow to medium draining soil, but you get some sweet fruit for your trouble. Both may be placed in full sun to partial shade with the Woodland Strawberry adaptable to being in full shade. If you go trekking through the mixed evergreen forest, you may find both of these there. They also are both found in various other woodland settings and wet areas. Strawberries will flower in the winter, but look for grape and strawberry flowers in the spring followed by fruit soon after. You have to be fast, otherwise the wild critters will eat all the fruit. The grapes ripen a bit more slowly than the strawberries that keep producing flowers and fruit continually through the growing season. The California Grape does well with Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), and Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), while the Woodland Strawberry is suited to growing in the shade of woodland trees, and shrubs. Companion species for the Woodland Strawberry include Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), and Mariposa Lily (alochortuss pp.). In addition, bats, birds, butterflies and caterpillars enjoy the sustenance provided by both of these species.
California Grape (Vitis californica) Neal Kramer
Some additional San Diego native water loving plants to consider, include Valley Sedge (Carex barbarae), Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), Sneezeweed (Helenium puberulum), and Western Blue Flag (Iris missouriensis). Another water loving plant species, Western Marsh Rosemary (Limonium californicum) is pictured at the beginning of this article.
And here are a few more: Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Sandbar Willow (Salix exigua), Arroyo Willow (Salix lasiolepis), California Bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus), Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis), and Broadleaf Cattail (Typha latifolia). There are also some grasslike species in the Juncus Genus: Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), Common Rush (Juncus patens), and Irisleaf Rush (Juncus xiphioides). That is quite a few species to choose from to fill out a naturally wet area in your landscaping with trees, grasses, geophytes, and perennials. Most are usually available in nurseries or plant sales in the San Diego area.
Calscape. “Woodland strawberries” by Schnobby is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
The water needs of our native plants vary due to the many microclimates within San Diego County. In your landscaping, it is best to get the ones suited to your microclimates. The more we fill our community with native plant gardens, the more we compensate for the fragmentation that comes with development. Wet or dry, native plants are the best ones to try! For more details on any of these native plants, please go to the information source, Calscape.org. Next month’s focus will be on the opposite end of the water spectrum: desert plants!
Save the date for the California Native Plant Society's Native Garden Tour April 11th & 12th, 2026.
Also consider participating as an artist or volunteer. Here is the link for more information:
