Native plants of the Andean highlands
These 29 plants belong to the Andean highlands. They were here before the gardens were: they know the weather, live on the rain that falls, and feed the insects and birds that grew up alongside them. Plant a few and your yard starts to fit its place.
Signature plant: Quinoa, native here and in no other world region on this list.
Berries and small fruit (4)
- Andean blueberry (mortiño) · zones 8–10
- Andean elderberry (sauco) · zones 9–11
- Goldenberry (Cape gooseberry) · zones 8–11
- Highland blackberry (mora) · zones 9–11
Tropical and subtropical food plants (7)
- Capulín (highland cherry) · zones 8–11
- Cherimoya · zones 10–11
- Lúcuma · zones 10–12
- Naranjilla (lulo) · zones 10–11
- Pepino dulce · zones 9–11
- Sweet granadilla · zones 10–11
- Tree tomato (tamarillo) · zones 10–11
Perennial vegetables, greens and herbs (6)
- Achira (edible canna) · zones 8–11
- Lemon verbena · zones 8–11
- Mashua · zones 7–10
- Oca · zones 7–10
- Ulluco · zones 8–10
- Yacon · zones 8–11
Annual vegetables, herbs and grains (9)
- Bush bean · zones 2–11
- Everglades tomato · zones 9–11
- Lima bean (butter bean) · zones 5–12
- Maca · zones 3–8
- Nasturtium · zones 2–11
- Pole bean · zones 2–11
- Potato · zones 2–11
- Quinoa · zones 4–11
- Tomato · zones 2–11
Native and wild plants (2)
- Andean alder · zones 8–11
- Beach strawberry · zones 5–10
Helper plants for soil, wildlife and biomass (1)
- Tarwi (Andean lupin) · zones 7–10
Open the natives of Andean highlands in the planner
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All regions · Plants by hardiness zone
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home