Plantain (Plantago): A Widespread Plant You Probably Don’t Want to Cultivate
If you’ve ever walked across a lawn or down a sidewalk, chances are you’ve encountered plantain without even knowing it. This incredibly common genus, known botanically as Plantago, includes plants that most gardeners consider weeds rather than desirable additions to their landscape. But before you dismiss it entirely, let’s dive into what makes this plant so successful—and why you might want to think twice before intentionally adding it to your garden.
What is Plantain?
Plantain is a forb or herb—essentially a vascular plant without significant woody tissue above or at ground level. These hardy plants can be annual, biennial, or perennial, but they all share the characteristic of having their growing buds at or below the soil surface. Don’t let the simple description fool you; plantain’s adaptability is precisely what makes it both fascinating and potentially problematic.
Where You’ll Find Plantain
Plantain has an impressively broad geographical distribution across North America. You can find various species growing in every U.S. state, all Canadian provinces and territories, and even extending to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This widespread presence might seem impressive, but there’s a catch—plantain’s native status is complicated and often undefined across much of its range.
The Native Status Dilemma
Here’s where things get tricky for native plant enthusiasts. Plantago’s native status is undefined across most of North America, including Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48 states. In several regions like the Pacific Basin, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s classified as a non-native species that reproduces spontaneously in the wild. This means these plants have naturalized so thoroughly that it’s difficult to determine their original native range.
A Word of Caution: Noxious Weed Status
Before you consider adding plantain to your garden, know that Alaska has classified it as a noxious weed with Restricted status. This designation exists for good reason—plants with this status can cause ecological or economic harm. While plantain might seem harmless, its ability to establish quickly and persist in various conditions can make it problematic in certain environments.
Why Plantain Probably Isn’t Right for Your Garden
Let’s be honest: plantain lacks the aesthetic appeal that most gardeners seek. With its simple rosettes of ribbed leaves and unremarkable flower spikes, it’s not going to win any beauty contests. The plants are wind-pollinated, which means they don’t offer the colorful blooms that attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
From a design perspective, plantain doesn’t play well with intentional landscaping. It’s the kind of plant that shows up uninvited rather than being thoughtfully incorporated into garden designs.
Limited Wildlife Benefits
While plantain does provide some wildlife value, it’s relatively minimal:
- Large animals use it for only 2-5% of their diet and rarely for cover
- Small mammals incorporate it into 5-10% of their diet but infrequently use it for shelter
- Terrestrial birds consume it sparingly (2-5% of diet) and rarely use it for cover
Given these modest benefits, you can find many native alternatives that provide substantially more value to local wildlife.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of plantain, consider these native options that offer similar resilience with greater ecological and aesthetic benefits:
- Native sedges for groundcover in moist areas
- Wild bergamot for pollinator-friendly herbs
- Native grasses for naturalized areas
- Regional wildflowers that support local wildlife
These alternatives will give you the hardy, low-maintenance characteristics you might appreciate about plantain while providing genuine ecological benefits and supporting your local ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
While plantain is undoubtedly successful as a plant—its widespread distribution proves that—success in nature doesn’t always translate to desirable garden characteristics. Its undefined native status, noxious classification in some areas, and minimal ornamental value make it a poor choice for intentional cultivation.
If plantain shows up in your garden on its own (and it probably will), you can choose to tolerate it as part of a naturalized area. But when it comes to plants worthy of your time, energy, and garden space, there are countless native alternatives that will serve your landscape—and local wildlife—much better.
Remember, the best gardens work with nature rather than against it. By choosing plants that are truly native to your region, you’ll create a landscape that’s not only beautiful but also supports the intricate web of life in your local ecosystem.
