Queens County, NY Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Native-plant landscaping is fully legal and actively promoted across Queens through multiple NYC and NY State programs. The NYC DEP Green Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding up to $1.5 million per project for rain gardens, bioswales, and green roofs using native plants that tolerate urban stormwater conditions. NYC Parks Department's GreenThumb program supports over 100 community gardens in Queens that prioritize native plantings. The Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing maintains a Native Flora Garden showcasing species appropriate for the region. No NYC ordinance requires native-plant use, but NY State DEC prohibits sale and planting of invasive species under 6 NYCRR Part 575, effectively encouraging natives by restricting alternatives. Recommended native species for Queens include: Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, switchgrass, little bluestem, cardinal flower, Joe-Pye weed, butterfly weed, Eastern redbud, American beech, swamp white oak, and serviceberry. These species support local pollinators including the declining monarch butterfly and native bee species. The NYC Million Trees project, completed in 2015, planted over 1 million trees citywide including approximately 239,000 in Queens, many of which are native oaks, maples, and lindens. Turf-lawn conversion to native meadow is legal on private property and in HOA areas subject to HOA rules. Front-yard native-plant gardens must still comply with the 10-inch weed-height rule, though properly maintained native gardens are distinguishable from overgrown weeds and typically not cited.