Native species can add color to your chaos garden while attracting wildlife. Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
Chaos gardening — the viral TikTok trend of scattering seeds and "letting nature decide" — is taking root as demand for native plants is rising.
Why it matters: Native chaos gardens appeal to homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.
The big picture: "Native plants offer this easy solution to make positive change," Sara Ressing, an education and program coordinator with nonprofit Wild Ones, tells Axios.
Catch up quick: Chaos gardening embraces a less structured approach: Scatter seeds, observe what survives and let soil, sunlight and water determine the outcome.
Ressing says the trend overlaps naturally with native gardening because both prioritize welcoming nature back into yards.
Yes, but: Garden experts warn that tossing random seed packets into the yard doesn't always work as advertised — especially in the Mid-Atlantic's fickle climate.
You may need to organize your chaos for success — mixing bulbs and starter plants into a less structured garden.
What to plant: There are over 2,000 native plant species in Western Pennsylvania. Some of the best for beginners include milkweed, scarlet bee balm, black-eyed Susans, purple coneflower and blazing star.
The bottom line: Chaos gardening may look carefree online, but experts say the best results come from pairing experimentation with intention.
