Eco-sourced plants are plants grown from seeds collected from naturally occurring plant communities.

What is eco-sourcing?

Eco-sourcing refers to the use of locally sourced plant material for planting projects. Eco-sourced plants are those grown from seed that is collected from naturally occurring plant communities in a locality close to where they are to be replanted.

Why Eco-source?

Many of New Zealand's species have developed features that have helped them adapt to their local environment. These adaptions give them resilience to changing weather patterns and threats such as plant diseases and pests. Therefore eco-sourced plants are more likely to survive in the long term.  Planting eco-sourced native plants also helps to preserve an area's unique local characteristics and ensures that genetic biodiversity is maintained throughout the country. By maintaining local biodiversity ecological history is preserved.

Few remnants of naturally occurring native vegetation occur on the Canterbury Plains. This can limit the ability to eco-source certain plant material. However this makes it even more important to use eco-sourced material to increase the distribution of these plants. Landowners with areas of native vegetation on their property can support eco-sourcing by allowing seed collection on their land.

Not all native plants found for sale in our region naturally occur in our region. When you are planning a planting project it is important to talk to local nurseries about where the seed was collected. Reputable nurseries will keep good records of seeds collection and plants should be labelled. Using eco-sourced plants also reduces handling and transport costs and helps support local nurseries and related businesses.

Other Resources:

Nurseries that supply eco-sourced plants:

Plants in combi guards

Cabbage tree and other native plants