In nature, plants don’t grow in isolation – they grow in communities. Each plant plays a part in the community: some stabilize soil, some fix nitrogen, others provide shade or habitat.
Understanding these roles helps us restore more resilient ecosystems – and with the power of Presto, restoration has become easier and more accessible.
A native plant community is a group of plant species that naturally occur together in similar environmental conditions (like a prairie, savanna, or wet meadow). Each community is shaped by specific conditions: soil, sunlight, moisture, and disturbance (like fire or flooding). In Minnesota, we have many distinct native plant communities, each with it’s own set of species that have evolved to coexist. Restoring a native plant community involves rebuilding those natural relationships, not just planting a list of native species.
It would be extremely difficult for a single plant to exist on its own out in the open – they need ecological teamwork to thrive. Deep-rooted grasses hold the soil together and prevent erosion. Flowering forbs provide food for pollinators all throughout the season. Legumes enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen. The differing heights of different species (short, medium, tall) create habitat layers for wildlife. These interactions and connections create balance and resilience, allowing communities to withstand drought, pest pressure, or invasive species encroachment.
Planting a random assortment of native plants may look nice, but it does not replicate the function and stability of a natural system. When you choose plants that naturally exist together, you get better restoration success, healthier soil systems, longer-lasting restorations, and self-sustaining diversity.
When you enter your site conditions (soil, sunlight, moisture, and native plant community), Presto cross-references native plant species with Minnesota’s native plant community data. It then recommends species that naturally occur together in those same ecological conditions.
Three easy steps to Presto:
When we plant with native plant communities in mind, we’re not just growing flowers – we’re rebuilding relationships that sustain life.
Presto: Discover which plant species are best for your habitat
