Ocean Springs, MS Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Jackson County has no ordinance mandating native plant landscaping, but Gulf Coast native species are strongly encouraged for hurricane resilience, stormwater management, and wildlife habitat. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Coastal Program and Mississippi State University Extension promote native plants including southern live oak (Quercus virginiana), southern magnolia, bald cypress, saw palmetto, muhly grass, and native azaleas. The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Jackson County provides native plant demonstration gardens. Unlike Florida, Texas, and California, Mississippi does not have statewide HOA protections preventing bans on xeriscaping or native landscaping, so subdivision covenants in communities like St. Andrews, Gulf Hills, and Old Fort Bayou can enforce traditional lawn requirements. However, Mississippi Right to Farm protections under MS Code §95-3-29 may protect some natural landscaping from nuisance claims. Mississippi actively combats invasive species including Chinese tallow tree (popcorn tree), cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern, and Chinese privet under MS Code §69-25-1 and the Mississippi Invasive Plant Council. Property owners may be required to control cogongrass. The Mississippi Native Plant Society and county extension offices provide native plant lists.