Residential yards landscaped with California native plants support four times more pollinators than conventionally landscaped yards, according to a new study led by Cal State LA alumna Esmeralda Reyes.

The findings suggest that homeowners can play a significant role in boosting urban biodiversity and creating healthier ecosystems—even in densely populated, lower-income neighborhoods.

The study, “Native-plant landscaping enhances floral visitation by insects and birds in residential yards,” was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Urban Ecosystems. Reyes, now a doctoral student at the University of California, Davis, conducted this research with Eric Wood, professor of biology at Cal State LA, and Noriko Smallwood of Smallwood Ecology.

“There has been a surge in interest in planting native plants in yards in cities across the country and here in LA—yet we really haven’t had a strong sense of how landscaping with native plants affects our local pollinators, which is what we sought out to understand through this study,” said Wood, who also serves as co-director of the Urban Ecology Center at Cal State LA.

The researchers found that yards planted with native species attracted far more flower-visiting insects and birds and supported 1.5 times more pollinator species than yards dominated by lawns and ornamental plants. Native landscapes also fostered more connected and resilient ecological networks, making them better equipped to support pollinators and other urban wildlife.

The research team surveyed 31 residential yards across Greater Los Angeles, comparing native-landscaped and conventionally landscaped properties. During repeated field visits, researchers recorded insect and bird visits to flowers while measuring plant diversity, flowering characteristics, temperature, air quality, and neighborhood conditions.

Among the study’s key findings: 

• Native-landscaped yards supported four times more flower-visiting insects and birds than conventionally landscaped yards. 

• Native yards hosted 1.5 times more pollinator species, driven largely by increases in native bees and hoverflies. 

• Native landscapes contained nearly three times more plant-pollinator interactions, creating stronger and more resilient ecological networks. 

• Native plants received 88% of all flower visits, despite making up about 80% of the available flowering plants. 

• The biodiversity benefits were evident even in lower-income neighborhoods, demonstrating that native landscaping can help address disparities in access to healthy urban green spaces.

Several California native plants—including California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and white sage (Salvia apiana)—served as important hubs for pollinators within the ecological networks observed during the study.

The report highlights the growing importance of native landscaping as cities seek practical ways to improve biodiversity, support pollinators, and increase ecosystem resilience in urban environments. The study also underscores how individual homeowners can contribute to conservation through their landscaping choices.

“We expected native yards to harbor more insects and diversity than conventional yards, but the network resiliency and abundance of native insects found in native landscaped yards were amazing findings,” said Reyes, who earned her master’s degree in environmental science from Cal State LA. “These results were especially important in lower-income neighborhoods and will hopefully encourage the city to landscape with native plants in these areas.”

The article is available as an open-access publication in Urban Ecosystems, allowing anyone to read the full study.

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.