At Headwaters Native Plants, sustainability is foundational to our mission.

We strive for sustainability in all aspects of our operations. Our goal is to create affordable and realistic solutions to some of the nursery industry’s most unsustainable practices. From seed to sale, we strive to make every step more sustainable and less wasteful.

Sustainability at Headwaters Native Plants

Material	Headwaters Native Plants	Industry Standard
Plants	100% native plants specializing in Central Appalachia. Nearing 100% sustainably collected local seed genetics, with provenance listed.	Some natives, often mixed with introduced Eurasian and sometimes invasive plants. When native, often sourced from bulk seed suppliers without local genetics.
Containers	Grown in reused plastic pots and sold in compostable pots whenever possible. Plastic is sanitized and reused to reduce waste.	Grown and sold in plastic pots. Typically single-use, contributing significantly to landfill waste.
Pesticides	Limited application of all types. Only organic, OMRI-approved pesticides when necessary.	Synthetic fungicides and insecticides, often including neonicotinoids that are harmful to pollinators.
Fertilizer	Organic soy-based fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculants.	Petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers that contribute to nutrient runoff and water quality degradation.
Growing Media	Reduced-peat blend with compost, rice hulls, and pine bark.	Peat- and perlite-heavy mixes. Extraction and processing release high amounts of greenhouse gases.
Labels	Custom paper-based Rite In The Rain® labels that are biodegradable and recyclable.	Styrene (plastic) labels that chip and break down into microplastics in soil and water.
Growing Facilities	Glass greenhouse and supporting facilities powered by solar energy. Metal and wooden benches instead of plastic.	Plastic-covered greenhouses typically not powered by renewable energy. Plastic table tops are common.
Vehicles	Electric truck and UTV vehicles support operations.	Gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.