Bulletin E3047
Selecting Plants for Extensive Green Roofs in the United States

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October 19, 2015 - Kristin L. Getter

Selecting Plant for Extensive Green Roofs in the United States

What is a Green Roof?

Green roofs, or vegetated roofs, are an alternative roofing technology in which plant material is established on the rooftop. They provide numerous ecological and economic benefits, including stormwater management, energy conservation, mitigation of the urban heat island effect, increased longevity of roofing membranes, and mitigation of noise and air pollution. Green roofs also help provide an aesthetically pleasing environment to work and live in.

Green roofs are categorized as intensive or extensive systems. Intensive green roofs are similar to landscaping found at ground level, and require media depths greater than 6 inches and have intense maintenance needs. By contrast, extensive green roofs use shallower media depths (less than 6 inches) and require minimal maintenance. Because of the challenges of selecting plants for shallow media, this publication focuses on extensive green roofs.

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Figure 1. A 10.4-acre extensive green roof in Dearborn, Mich. at the Ford Motor Co. River Rouge assembly plant

Considerations for Plant Selection

Factors in selecting plant material are design intent, aesthetic appeal, environmental conditions, media composition and depth, installation methods and maintenance. Design factors that may influence plant selection include accessibility to and use of the roof, stormwater management objectives, xeriscaping objectives and thermal insulation objectives. Before selecting species on the basis of the design intent, expectations of aesthetics should be addressed because many species have dormant periods when the green roof may not appear so green. For example, many native prairie grasses and perennials will normally dry and brown in the summer. Although this is a natural occurrence, some may find it unacceptable.

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Figure 2. An extensive green roof during dormancy in East Lansing, Mich.

Regardless of the desired aesthetic effect, climate and microclimate have a major impact on plant selection. In particular, average high and low temperatures, extreme hot and cold temperatures, irradiance levels, wind, and the amount and distribution of rainfall throughout the year will determine what species can survive in a specific area. Drought tolerance is important because high levels of solar radiation and low media moisture are usually the norm in shallow extensive systems. Likewise, microclimates on the roof must be considered. Roof slope and orientation may influence the intensity of the sun and media moisture content, surrounding structures may shade a portion of the roof, air vents from heating and air conditioning units may dry the media, and chemical exhaust from industrial buildings may influence plant growth. Environmental conditions, especially the amount and distribution of rainfall and temperature extremes, will eliminate the use of certain species or will dictate the need for irrigation. Although aesthetic appeal is an important criterion on many roofs, survival and stress tolerance are the primary criteria.

Media composition and depth have a major impact on plant selection for green roof systems. The ideal extensive green roof medium consists of a balance of lightweight, well-drained materials, possesses adequate water- and nutrient-holding capacity, and will not break down over time. Shallow media depths found on extensive green roofs dry out fast and usually do not support woody species, deep-rooted grasses, and many annual or perennial flowering plants. Conversely, shallow media often limit the growth of many undesirable weeds, and many desirable species are naturally found growing under these shallow conditions.

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Figure 3. Typical extensive green roof medium

In addition, installation method may influence plant choice. Plants can be established at ground level - grown as plugs or established on a blanket, mat or tray and then placed on the roof directly - or on the green roof medium via seed, plugs or cuttings. The availability of individual species in any of these forms may influence plant selection. In addition, the method of installation chosen may influence how much irrigation is required during initial plant establishment. And the long-term need of individual species for irrigation will also be an issue in plant selection.

Plant Characteristics

The variability of green roof designs and climates in the United States makes it impractical to list every possible plant candidate for extensive green roofs. As a general rule, potentially suitable species can be found by looking at the microclimate (media depth, solar levels, water availability, etc.) of the green roof in question and comparing it to a plant’s native habitat. Some species have evolved in extreme conditions, such as mountainous terrains, high altitude environments, coasts, limestone media or arid areas and are probably suitable for green roofs.

In choosing which plants to use, consider plant characteristics such as rate of establishment, longevity, ground cover density, and disease and pest resistance. The ideal species are long-lived and reseed themselves or spread vegetatively. Drought tolerance is one of the most limiting factors on extensive green roof systems because of their shallow media depths and usual reliance on natural precipitation. However, be careful to avoid drought-tolerant species that rely on deep taproots to obtain moisture – this situation cannot exist on a shallow extensive roof.

Succulent plants are well-adapted to the conditions often found on extensive green roofs because of their ability to limit transpiration and store excess water. Species such as Sedum, Delosperma, Euphorbia and Sempervivum are popular choices. Presented here are species suggestions taken from scientific literature, as well as grower recommendations.

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Figure 4. Green roof established with plugs

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Figure 5. Green roof established with seed

Little has been published for species tested in southern portions of the United States. However, scientists in Singapore (likely comparable to a U.S. hardiness zone of 10 or 11) have found the following species to be thriving on a 2- to 4- inch deep roof: Aglaia odorata, Aloe vera, Aptenia cordifolia, Callisia repens, Carpobrutus edulis, Delosperma lineare, Furcraea foetida, Ixora coccinea, Kalanchoe tomentosa, Liriope muscari, Lonicera japonica, Murraya paniculata, Ophiopogon intermedius, Pandanus amaryllifolius, Portulaca grandiflora, Sanseveria trifasciata, Sedum acre, Sedum mexicanum, Sedum nussbaumerianum, Sedum sarmentosum, Sedum sexangulare, Tradescantia pallida, Zephyranthes candida and Zephyranthes rosea.

In addition, the following species are currently being tested in southern regions of the United States. No results have yet been published, but they serve as a good starting point for extensive green roofs in these regions. In Florida, with 5 inches of media, the following species are being tested: Gaillardia pulchella, Liatris spicata, Sisyrinchium atlanticum, Coreopsis grandiflora, Helianthus debilis, Licania michauxii, Phyla nodiflora, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Arachis glabrata and Salvia coccinea. In Texas, with 4 inches of medium, the following species are being tested: Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilus, Bouteloua rigidisete, Carex texensis, Nassella tenuissima, Panicum hallii, Bignonia capreolata, Dalea greggii, Erigeron modestus, Hesperaloe parviflora, Manfreda maculosa, Salvia farinacea, Salvia greggii, Scutellaria wrightii, Stemodia lanata and Tetraneuris scaposa.

In California, a statewide effort to increase energy efficiency of buildings is under way. The creators of that outreach campaign suggest the following species may work on an extensive green roof in the Los Angeles area: Aloe nobilis, Carex stricta, Carex testacea, Delosperma alba, Delosperma cooperii, Dudleya hassei, Dudleya pulverulenta, Echinocactus grusonii, Kalanchoe beharensis, Lampranthus deltoides, Lampranthus productus, Muhlenbergia rigens, Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia violacea santarita, Sedum sieboldii and Sedum spathulifolium.

Botanical name

Common name

Scientifically tested

State tested

Media depth tested (inches)

Grower recommended?

Recommended regionz

Notesy

Referencex

Achillea tomentosa

Western yarrow

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

Agastache foeniculum

Blue giant hyssop

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

Allium cernuum

Nodding wild onion

X

MI, WA

4,6

X

MW

2

3,8,9

Allium maximowiczii

Ornamental onion

 

 

 

 X

MW

 

 

Allium schoenoprasum

Ornamental onion

 

 

 

X

MW,NE

 

 

Allium senescens

Ornamental onion

 

 

 

 X

MW, MA, SE

 

 

Allium stellatum

Prairie onion

 

 

 

X

 MW

 

 

Allium tanguticum

Ornamental onion

 

 

 

 X

MW

 

 

Antennaria neglecta

Pussytoes

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Aquilegia canadensis

Red columbine

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Arctostaphylos uva ursi

Kinnikinnick

X

MA, WA

5, 6

 

 

2

6, 8

Artemisia tridentata

Desert sage

 

 

 

X

NE

3

 

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly milkweed

 

 

 

 X

MW

 

 

Asclepias verticillata

Whorled milkweed

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Aster ericoides

Heath aster

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Aster laevis

Smooth blue aster

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

Aster oblongifolius

Aromatic aster

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Bouteloua curtipendula

Side oat grama

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Buchloe dactyloides

Buffalo grass

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Carex flacca

Heath sedge

X

MI

4

 

 

 

3

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania sedge

 

 

 

X

MW

2

 

Carex radiata

Fox sedge

 

 

 

X

MW

2

 

Cerastium tomentosum

Snow-in-summer

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

Chrysanthemum vulgare

Ox-eye daisy

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Convallaria majalis

European lily of the valley

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

Coreopsis lanceolata

Lanceleaf coreopsis

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

Coreopsis palmata

Tickseed

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

Coreopsis rosea

Pink tickseed

X

MA

6

 

 

 

6

Dalea purpurea

Purple prairie clover

X

MI

4

X

MW

4

9

Danthonia spicata

Poverty oatgrass

X

MA

6

 

 

 

6
 

Delosperma congestum

Ice plant

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Delosperma cooperii

Ice plant

X

OR

2-4

X

NE

 

5

 

Delosperma nubigenum

Ice plant

X

NC, OR

2-6, 2-4

X

 MA, SE, NE

 

5,10

 

Deschampsia flexuosa

Wavy hairgrass

 

 

 

X

NE

3

 

 

Dianthus deltoides

Maiden pink

 

 

 

X

MA,SE

1

 

 

Elymus elymoides

Bottlebrush grass

 

 

 

X

NE

3

 

 

 Epimedium perralderianum

Epimedium

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Eragrostis spectabilis

Purple lovegrass

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Eryngium yuccifolium

Button eryngo

 

 

3

X

MW

 

 

 

Euphorbia myrsinites

Myrtle spurge

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Festuca glauca

Blue fescue

X

OR

4

X

NE

 

5

 

Festuca ovina

Sheep fescue

 

 

 

X

MA,SE, NE

1, 3

 

 

Fragaria virginiana

Wild strawberry

X

MI

4

X

MW

2, 4

9

 

Gaultheria procumbens

Eastern teaberry

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Geum triflorum

Prairie smoke

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Gilia capitata

Bluefield gilia

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

 

Heuchera americana

American alumroot

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Heuchera villosa

Hairy alumroot

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Jovibarba species

Hens and chicks

 

 

 

X

MW, NE

 

 

 

Juncus effusus

Common rush

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

 

Koeleria macrantha

Prairie Junegrass

X

MI

4

X

MW

2,4

9

 

Liatris aspera

Tall blazing star

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

 

Lobelia siphilitica

Great blue lobelia

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Lupinus bicolor

Miniature lupine

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

 

Lysimachia clethroides

Gooseneck yellow loosestrife

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Maianthemum canadense

Canada mayflower

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Monarda punctata

Spotted beebalm

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

 

Muscari species

Grape hyacinth

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

 

Nierembergia

Cup flower

X

OR

2-4

 

 

 

5

 

Oenothera macrocarpa

Bigfruit evening primrose

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Opuntia humifusa

Prickly pear

X

MI

4

X

MW, NE

3

9

 

Pachysandra procumbens

Allegheny spurge

X

MA

6

 

 

2

6

 

Penstemon hirsutus

Beardtongue

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Petrorhagia saxifraga

Saxifrage pink

X

PA

2-5

 

 

 

11

 

Phedimus spurius

Caucasian stonecrop

X

MA, MI

6, 1-4

 

 

2

1, 6, 9

 

Potentilla anserma

Cinquefoil

X

MI

4

X

MW

2,4

9

 

Potentilla neumaniana

Cinquefoil

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

 

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-eyed Susan

X

MI

4

 

 

2,4

9

 

Ruellia humilis

Wild petunia

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Schizachyrium scoparium

Little bluestem

X

MI, MN

4, 2-6

X

MW

2,4

7, 9

 

Sedum acre

Biting stonecrop

X

MI, OR

1-6, 2-4

X

MA, SE, MW, NE

 

1, 3, 5, 9

 

Sedum aizoon

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum album

White stonecrop

X

MI, NC, OR, PA

1-6, 2-6, 2-4, 1-6

X

MW,NE,MA,SE

 

1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11

 

Sedum anacampseros

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum cauticola

Stonecrop

X

MI

 

X

MW, NE

4

2

 

Sedum cyaneum

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum dasyphyllum

Thick-leaved stonecrop

X

MI

1-3

 

 

1

1

 

Sedum diffusum

Stonecrop

X

MI

1-3

 

 

1

1

 

Sedum divergens

Cascade stonecrop

X

MI, OR

2-4

X

MW

4

3, 5

 

Sedum ellacombianum

Orange stonecrop

X

MI

4

X

MA,SE, MW, NE

 

9

 

Sedum ewersii

Stonecrop

X

MI

1.5-4

X

NE

1

2

 

Sedum floriferum

Stonecrop

X

MI, NC

2-4, 2-4

X

MA, SE, MW, NE

 

2, 10

 

Sedum grisbachii

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

MW, NE

 

 

 

Sedum hispanicum

Spanish stonecrop

X

MI, OR

2-4, 2-4

X

NE

1

1, 2

 

Sedum hybridum

Hybrid stonecrop

 

 

 

X

MA,SE

 

 

 

Sedum japonicum

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum kamtschaticum

Orange stonecrop

X

MI, OR

1-4, 2-4

X

MA, SE, MW, NE

 

1, 4, 5, 9

 

Sedum lydium

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum matrona

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

MA,SE

1

 

 

Sedum middendorfianum

Stonecrop

X

MI

1-3

X

MW, NE

 

1,9

 

Sedum oreganum

Oregon stonecrop

X

OR

2-4

X

MW,NE

3

5

 

Sedum pachyclados

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

MW,NE

 

 

 

Sedum populifolium

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum pulchellum

Bird's claw sedum

X

MI

4

X

MW,NE

2,3

3, 9

 

Sedum reflexum

Crooked stonecrop

X

MI, NC, OR

2-4, 2-6, 2-4

X

MA,SE,MW

1

1, 2, 3, 5, 10

 

Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’

Stonecrop

X

MI

2-4

 

 

1

2

 

Sedum sarmentosum

Stringy stonecrop

X

MI

2-4

X

NE

 

2

 

Sedum sediforme

Pale stonecrop

X

MI

2-4

X

NE

 

1, 2

 

Sedum sexangulare

Tasteless stonecrop

X

MA, MI, NC, OR, PA

6, 2-4, 2-4, 1-5

X

MA, SE, MW, NE

 

2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11

 

Sedum sieboldii

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

MW, NE

 

 

 

Sedum spathifolium

Broadleaf stonecrop

X

OR

2-4

X

MW

 

5

 

Sedum spectabile

Showy stonecrop

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Sedum spurium

Creeping sedum

X

MI, NC, OR

1-4, 2-4, 2-4

X

MA, SE, MW, NE

 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10

 

Sedum stefco

Stonecrop

X

MI

2-4

X

MA, SE, MW

 

2

 

Sedum stenopetalum

Narrow-petaled stonecrop

X

MI

 

X

MW

4

3

 

Sedum tatarinowii

Stonecrop

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum telephium

Stonecrop

X

OR

2-4

X

MW,NE

 

5

 

Sedum ternatum

Woodland stonecrop

X

MA

6

X

MW, NE

2,3

6

 

Sedum tetractinum

Chinese sedum

 

 

 

X

NE

 

 

 

Sedum urvillei

Stonecrop

X

MI

 

 

 

4

3

 

Sempervivum species

Hens and chicks

 

 

 

X

MA,SE, MW, NE

 

 

 

Sempervivum tectorum

Common houseleek

X

OR

2-4

 

 

1

5

 

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Blue-eyed grass

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 

 

Solidago nemoralis

Gray goldenrod

X

MN

2-6

 

 

 

7

 

Sporobolus heterolepsis

Prairie dropseed

X

MI

4

X

MW

2,4

9

 

Talinum calycinum

Fameflower

X

MI

 

X

MA,SE, NE

1, 3

3

 

Tradescantia ohiensis

Spiderwort

X

MI

4

 

 

 

9

 

Viola pedata

Bird's-foot violet

 

 

 

X

MW

 

 
                   

Z: MA= Midatlantic, SE=Southeast, NE=Northeast, MW=Midwest

Y: 1=accent plant, 2=suitable for shade, 3=native to U.S., 4=may need irrigation for survival.

X: See references (next page).

**NOTE: Any species listed here may perform differently depending on the specific micro- and macro-environmental conditions of the roof.

Other Resources

  • Dunnett, N., and N. Kingsbury. 2004. Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls. Portland, Ore.: Timber Press, Inc.
  • Snodgrass, E., and L. Snodgrass. 2006. Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Planting Guide. Portland, Ore.: Timber Press, Inc.
  • The Green Roof Research Program at Michigan State University Web site: www.hrt.msu.edu/greenroof/
  • Green Roof for Healthy Cities Web site: http://www.greenroofs.org/

References

1. Durhman, A.K., D.B. Rowe and C.L. Rugh. 2007. Effect of substrate depth on initial coverage, and survival of 25 succulent green roof plant taxa. HortScience 42(3):588-595.

2. Getter, K.L., and D.B. Rowe. 2008. Media Depth Influences Sedum Green Roof Establishment. Urban Ecosystems (in press).

3. Getter, K.L., and D.B. Rowe. 2008. Effect Of Solar Radiation Levels On Native And Non-Native Species . In Proc. of 6th North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Baltimore, Md. April 30-May 2 2008. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

4. Gibbs , J., K. Luckett, V. Jost, S. Morgan, T. Yan and W. Retzlaff. 2006. Evaluating Performance of a Green Roof System with Different Growing Mediums, Sedum Species and Fertilizer Treatments. In Proc. of Midwest Regional Green Roof Symposium, Edwardsville, Ill. June 30 2006.

5. Hauth, E., and T. Liptan. 2003. Plant survival findings in the Pacific Northwest. In Proc. of 1st North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Chicago. May 29-30, 2003. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

6. Licht, J., and J. Lundholm. 2006. Native Coastal Plants for Northeastern Extensive and Semi-intensive Green Roof trays: Substrates, Fabrics, and Plant Selection. In Proc. of 4th North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Boston, Mass. May 11-12, 2006. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

7. MacDonagh, L.P., N.M. Hallyn and S. Rolph. 2006. Midwestern USA Plant communities + Design = Bedrock Bluff Prairie Greenroofs. In Proc. of 4th North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Boston, Mass. May 11-12, 2006. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

8. Martin, M.A., and T.M. Hinckley. 2007. Native Plant Performance On A Seattle Green Roof. In Proc. of 4th North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Minneapolis, Minn. April 29-May 1, 2007. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

9. Monterusso, M.A., D. B. Rowe and C.L. Rugh. 2005. Establishment and persistence of Sedum spp. and native taxa for green roof applications. HortScience 40(2):391-396.

10. Moran, A., B. Hunt, G. Jennings. 2004. A North Carolina field study to evaluate green roof runoff quantity, runoff quality, and plant growth. In Proc. of 2nd North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Portland, Ore. June 2-4, 2004. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

11. Nagase, A., and C. Thuring. 2006. Plant Responses to drought on extensive green roofs: the effects of temperature, substrate type and substrate depth. In: Proc. of 4th North American Green Roof Conference: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Boston, Mass. May 11-12, 2006. Toronto: The Cardinal Group.

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