If you’re a homeowner anywhere along the San Francisco Peninsula, you’ve probably wondered whether switching to a xeric, drought-tolerant landscape is really worth it. The short answer: yes—and the savings are significant.

We can all agree that native plants are important to us and our ecosystem. But how tightly should we define the word “native”? In this article, we will dive into the many definitions that apply to the term and help you decide where within that definition your heart lies.