In recent years, native plants have gained traction in gardening, landscape restoration, and conservation projects. This is driven by a growing awareness of the role native plants play in maintaining biodiversity, supporting local ecosystems, and shaping cultural landscapes. Native plants typically exhibit greater resilience to pests and diseases, tend to require less water than non-native species, and provide a variety of benefits to pollinators and other wildlife, contributing to the stability and robustness of ecosystems. Besides their ecological roles, native plants also possess a cultural identity as garden plants, expressing unique aesthetic values and a sense of place in relation to their local natural environments. However, the discourse surrounding native plants is complex and often confusing due to the lack of standardized criteria for defining and classifying them. The usage of terms such as 'native', 'indigenous', 'endemic', 'local', 'naturalized', and 'invasive' can lead to confusion, despite their distinct biological and geographical meanings. This lack of terminological clarity not only obscures scientific communication but also hinders public understanding and conservation efforts. Therefore, it is crucial to review and refine the criteria for selecting and using these terms to ensure accurate discourse, effective policymaking, and the conservation of native plants. The aim of this study is to analyze the usage patterns of native plant terminology in Korea and abroad, and to propose rigorous criteria for each term to contribute to effective policymaking, along with suggestions for the conservation of native plants and their broader use in gardens.