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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Omaha, Nebraska

📍 Omaha, NE 🌡️ USDA Zone 5b 🌱 318+ compatible plants

Gardening in Omaha

Omaha falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the −20°F to −10°F range. The 318+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Omaha

Great Blue Lobelia
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Striking spikes of vibrant blue flowers bloom from late summer to fall, adding bold color to any garden. This deer-resistant, moisture-loving perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Daffodil
Daffodil
Narcissus spp.
Bright yellow blooms herald early spring with cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers that brighten any garden. Deer resistant and hardy in USDA zones 3-9, they require minimal care while attracting early pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Bur Oak
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Massive, rugged leaves and striking acorn cups make Bur Oak a standout in fall with golden hues. This drought-tolerant giant thrives in USDA zones 2-8 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Sweetbay Magnolia
Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Fragrant creamy white blooms grace this Sweetbay Magnolia from spring to summer, adding elegance and a fresh scent to your garden. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it’s deer resistant and thrives in moist, acidic soils.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Shagbark Hickory
Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
Greenish-yellow blooms appear in late spring, adding subtle beauty to this majestic native tree. Attracting pollinators and thriving in zones 4-9, it’s low maintenance and pet-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Sedum Autumn Fire
Sedum Autumn Fire
Sedum 'Autumn Fire'
Vibrant pink and white blooms light up late summer through fall, adding fiery color to any garden from August to October. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun, attracts pollinators, and is both dog- and cat-friendly (USDA zones 4-9).
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Buffalo Grass
Buffalo Grass
Bouteloua dactyloides
This warm-season grass boasts fine, blue-green foliage that turns golden in fall, adding year-round interest. Highly drought-tolerant and deer resistant, it thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with minimal care.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Foamflower
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Delicate white to pinkish blooms brighten spring gardens with a frothy, airy display. This shade-loving, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea
Invincibelle Spirit Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Invincibelle Spirit'
Showy pink-to-white blooms from June to September light up gardens with vibrant color and texture. This low-maintenance shrub attracts pollinators, thrives in zones 4-9, and tolerates full sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Ironweed
Ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
Vibrant purple blooms light up late summer gardens with striking color and texture. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Baptisia White Wild Indigo
Baptisia White Wild Indigo
Baptisia alba
Elegant white blooms light up late spring with a graceful, airy display that brightens any garden space. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Vibrant purple blooms burst from summer to fall, attracting butterflies in a dazzling display of color. This drought-tolerant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and is low maintenance.
Zone 5–9🐝 Pollinator

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Other Cities in Zone 5b

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Browse All 318+ Plants for Zone 5b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 5 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.