Native Plant List – South and West Texas
Last updated: October 7, 2026
This is a "starter" list of native plants for South and West Texas. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes. The region runs from the Edwards Plateau and Hill Country through the South Texas brush country and Rio Grande Valley to the Trans-Pecos mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert, so check each plant’s profile for where it is native and choose plants suited to your own rainfall, soil and elevation.
See Also:
-
The Best Texas Native Plants for Landscaping
Wildflower Meadow Planting Texas: A Guide to Native Species and Best Practices
Texas Tree with Pink Flowers: A Guide to Identifying and Growing the Texas Mountain Laurel
South and West Texas Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigtooth Maple | Acer grandidentatum | F-P | A-D | 20-30 ft | Lost Maples canyon relict, brilliant fall color |
| Texas Madrone | Arbutus xalapensis | F-P | A-D | 15-30 ft | Striking peeling bark, Trans-Pecos/Hill Country canyons |
| Anacacho Orchid Tree | Bauhinia lunarioides | F-P | D | 8-15 ft | Showy spring orchid-like blooms; South TX brush native |
| Pecan | Carya illinoinensis | F | A-W | 70-100 ft | Large bottomland tree; needs 2nd tree to pollinate well |
| Sugarberry | Celtis laevigata | F-P | W-A | 50-80 ft | Fast shade tree for creek/river bottoms; birds eat fruit |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | F-P | A-D | 40-60 ft | Tough adaptable shade tree; birds favor its small fruit |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | F-P | A-D | 15-30 ft | Spring magenta blooms; Texas redbud form suits limestone, dry sites |
| Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | F | D | 10-25 ft | Orchid-like blooms, very drought tolerant, pollinator magnet |
| Brasil | Condalia hookeri | F | D | 10-20 ft | South Texas thicket tree, dark berries for wildlife |
| Texas Olive | Cordia boissieri | F | A-D | 15-25 ft | Showy white flowers nearly year-round; cold-sensitive |
| American Smoke Tree | Cotinus obovatus | F-P | D | 20-30 ft | Spectacular fall color; limestone bluffs and canyons |
| Green hawthorn | Crataegus viridis | F-P | A-W | 20-35 ft | Small tree for river bottoms; white spring flowers, red fruit |
| Texas Persimmon | Diospyros texana | F-P | D | 10-25 ft | Black edible fruit; smooth bark, deer/bird favorite |
| Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | F-S | D-A | 30-50 ft | Edible fruit after frost; wildlife food; tolerates poor soil |
| Texas Ebony | Ebenopsis ebano | F | A-D | 20-30 ft | Slow-growing evergreen; thorny zigzag branches; fragrant flowers |
| Gregg Ash | Fraxinus greggii | F | D | 10-20 ft | Small evergreen-ish ash, Trans-Pecos/Hill Country canyons |
| Texas Ash | Fraxinus texensis | F-P | A-D | 20-40 ft | Edwards Plateau endemic, good fall color |
| Tenaza | Havardia pallens | F | D | 15-25 ft | Thornless-ish legume tree, South Texas brush country |
| Black Walnut | Juglans nigra | F-P | A | 50-75 ft | Large shade/nut tree for deep river-bottom soils |
| Ashe Juniper | Juniperus ashei | F-P | D | 15-30 ft | Rocky limestone soils; key warbler habitat, causes cedar fever |
| Alligator Juniper | Juniperus deppeana | F | A-D | 20-50 ft | Slow-growing SW tree; checkered bark, needs sharp drainage |
| One-seed Juniper | Juniperus monosperma | F | D | 7-20 ft | Tough small juniper; rocky Trans-Pecos slopes and mesas |
| Redberry Juniper | Juniperus pinchotii | F | D | 10-20 ft | Edwards Plateau/West Texas, berries feed birds |
| Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | F-P | A-D | 30-65 ft | Tough evergreen conifer; adaptable to many soils, erosion control |
| Great Leadtree | Leucaena pulverulenta | F | A-D | 20-40 ft | Fast-growing legume tree, Rio Grande Valley riparian |
| Osage-orange | Maclura pomifera | F | D | 30-50 ft | Thorny, tough tree; orange-like fruit, strong wood |
| Texas Mulberry | Morus microphylla | F-P | D | 10-20 ft | Small drought-hardy mulberry, Trans-Pecos/Hill Country |
| Mexican Palo Verde | Parkinsonia aculeata | F | D | 15-30 ft | Fast, thorny desert tree; invasive outside native south TX/AZ range |
| Mexican Pinyon | Pinus cembroides | F | D | 15-30 ft | Slow-growing 3-needle pine; rocky dry mountain slopes, W TX |
| Colorado Pinyon | Pinus edulis | F | D | 15-35 ft | Trans-Pecos mountain conifer, edible seeds |
| Papershell Pinyon | Pinus remota | F | D | 15-25 ft | Limestone hills of Trans-Pecos and lower Pecos canyons |
| Texas Pistache | Pistacia mexicana | F-P | D | 10-40 ft | Rio Grande canyon limestone specialist; dioecious; fruit not edible |
| Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | F-P | A | 70-100 ft | Massive streamside shade tree; mottled bark |
| Rio Grande Cottonwood | Populus deltoides subsp. wislizeni | F | A-W | 40-70 ft | Riparian shade tree along Rio Grande/Pecos drainages |
| Fremont Cottonwood | Populus fremontii | F | A-W | 40-70 ft | Trans-Pecos riparian tree, key desert wildlife habitat |
| Honey Mesquite | Prosopis glandulosa | F | D | 15-30 ft | Iconic deep-rooted legume tree of South/West Texas |
| Screwbean Mesquite | Prosopis pubescens | F | A-D | 15-30 ft | Desert wash tree; coiled screw-shaped pods, needs deep water |
| Velvet Mesquite | Prosopis velutina | F | D | 20-30 ft | Deep-rooted desert tree; feathery foliage, fragrant blooms |
| Cherry Laurel | Prunus caroliniana | F-P | D | 30 ft | Dense evergreen screen; fragrant white spring blooms |
| Mexican Plum | Prunus mexicana | F-P | A-D | 15-25 ft | Fragrant early white bloom; exfoliating bark; plums feed wildlife |
| Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca | F-P | A-D | 40-80 ft | Relict conifer in Guadalupe/Davis Mountains canyons |
| Arizona Oak | Quercus arizonica | F | A-D | 20–60 ft | Slow-growing evergreen oak of SW sky-island woodlands |
| Texas Red Oak | Quercus buckleyi | F | A-D | 30-50 ft | Brilliant red fall color; limestone soils; Hill Country native |
| Plateau Live Oak | Quercus fusiformis | F | A-D | 30-50 ft | Evergreen Hill Country oak; prune only in winter (oak wilt) |
| Gray Oak | Quercus grisea | F-P | D | 6-30 ft | Variable shrub-to-tree oak; rocky canyons and slopes |
| Shin Oak | Quercus havardii | F | D | 3-10 ft | Sand-loving thicket oak of West Texas dunes |
| Lacey Oak | Quercus laceyi | F | A-D | 30-40 ft | Edwards Plateau limestone endemic; blue-green leaves, fall color |
| Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica | F | D | 20-50 ft | Tough drought oak; thin rocky soils, slow growth |
| Mohr Oak | Quercus mohriana | F | D | 10-20 ft | Evergreen shrub oak, Edwards Plateau/Trans-Pecos limestone |
| Chinkapin Oak | Quercus muehlenbergii | F-P | A-D | 40-60 ft | Stately shade oak; limestone soils, acorns feed wildlife |
| Mexican Blue Oak | Quercus oblongifolia | F | D | 15-25 ft | Evergreen desert oak; silvery-blue leaves, very drought tolerant |
| Sandpaper Oak | Quercus pungens | F | D | 10-20 ft | Shrubby oak of rocky Edwards Plateau/Trans-Pecos slopes |
| Shumard Oak | Quercus shumardii | F-P | A | 60-100 ft | Fast shade tree; tolerates alkaline soil, good fall color |
| Bigelow Oak | Quercus sinuata var. breviloba | F-P | A-D | 20-35 ft | Hill Country understory oak, drought-tolerant once established |
| Post Oak | Quercus stellata | F | D | 40-50 ft | Tough, slow-growing oak; thrives on poor, dry upland soils |
| Live Oak | Quercus virginiana | F | A-D | 40-60 ft | Iconic evergreen coastal oak; salt and drought tolerant |
| Texas Palmetto | Sabal mexicana | F-P | A-W | 30-50 ft | TX's only native palm; Rio Grande Valley only, not statewide |
| Coastal Plain Willow | Salix caroliniana | F-P | W | 15-30 ft | Fast wet-site tree for streambanks and pond edges |
| Goodding's Willow | Salix gooddingii | F | W | 30–50 ft | Desert riparian tree, needs perennial water; not for dry xeriscape |
| Western Soapberry | Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii | F | A-D | 25-40 ft | Tough shade tree, yellow fall color, statewide Texas native |
| Saffron Plum | Sideroxylon celastrinum | F | D | 10-20 ft | Spiny evergreen, Coastal Bend/South Texas brush |
| Gum Bumelia | Sideroxylon lanuginosum | F | A-D | 20-40 ft | Thorny, tough tree across South/West Texas, wildlife fruit |
| Texas Mountain Laurel | Sophora secundiflora | F-P | A-D | 10-15 ft | Evergreen; fragrant purple blooms; toxic seeds; slow-growing |
| Eve's Necklace | Styphnolobium affine | F-P | A-D | 15-20 ft | Fragrant spring flowers, bead-like pods; seeds toxic, limestone soils |
| Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum | F-P | W-A | 50-80 ft | Iconic Hill Country river tree (Frio, Guadalupe, Nueces) |
| Winged Elm | Ulmus alata | F-P | A-D | 30-50 ft | Adaptable shade tree with corky-winged twigs; tolerates poor soil |
| Cedar Elm | Ulmus crassifolia | F-P | A-D | 50-70 ft | Iconic Central TX shade tree; tolerates heat, drought, caliche |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | F-P | A | 40-60 ft | Fast-growing shade tree; tolerates wet or dry sites |
| Mexican Buckeye | Ungnadia speciosa | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft | Pink spring blooms, Hill Country/Trans-Pecos understory |
| Lime Pricklyash | Zanthoxylum fagara | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft | South Texas butterfly host (giant swallowtail) |
South and West Texas Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Acacia | Acacia farnesiana | F | D | 15 ft | Fragrant golden-yellow blooms winter/spring; fast, thorny, drought-har |
| Prairie Acacia | Acaciella angustissima | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Fern-like legume shrub/subshrub, Central/South Texas |
| Red Buckeye | Aesculus pavia | F-S | A | 10-15 ft | Red spring blooms draw hummingbirds; toxic seeds; part shade best |
| White Mistflower | Ageratina havanensis | F-P | D-A | 3-6 ft | Texas Hill Country shrub; fall nectar for monarchs; sharp drainage |
| Leadplant | Amorpha canescens | F | D | 2-3 ft | Prairie legume shrub, Hill Country grasslands |
| False Indigo Bush | Amorpha fruticosa | F-P | A-D | 6-12 ft | Purple spike blooms, statewide Texas riparian edges |
| Flame Acanthus | Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii | F | D | 3-5 ft | Orange-red tubular flowers draw hummingbirds; full sun, rocky dry soil |
| Shadscale | Atriplex confertifolia | F | D | 1-3 ft | Silvery desert shrub; very alkaline/saline tolerant soils |
| Groundsel Tree | Baccharis halimifolia | F-P | A-W | 6-10 ft | Coastal Bend saltbush, fall-blooming pollinator plant |
| False Willow | Baccharis neglecta | F | A-D | 4-8 ft | Fast-growing native colonizer, key fall monarch nectar source |
| Seepwillow | Baccharis salicifolia | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft | Fast-growing riparian shrub; good streambank stabilizer |
| Texas Barberry | Berberis swaseyi | F-P | D | 3-6 ft | Edwards Plateau endemic, holly-like evergreen leaves |
| California Brickellbush | Brickellia californica | F-P | A-D | 2-5 ft | Late-blooming shrub for dry, rocky soil; not bursage |
| Woolly Butterflybush | Buddleja marrubiifolia | F | D | 3-5 ft | Orange ball blooms, Trans-Pecos, butterfly magnet |
| Wand Butterflybush | Buddleja racemosa | F | D | 4-8 ft | Trans-Pecos/Hill Country native butterfly bush |
| Fairy Duster | Calliandra eriophylla | F | D | 2-4 ft | Pink pompom blooms, Trans-Pecos, hummingbird favorite |
| Goatbush | Castela erecta | F | D | 3-6 ft | South Texas brush shrub, red fruit for wildlife |
| New Jersey Tea | Ceanothus americanus | F-P | D | 3 ft | Low drought-tolerant shrub; white flower clusters; limestone soils |
| Desert Hackberry | Celtis pallida | F | D | 6-12 ft | Thorny thicket shrub, South Texas brush, bird fruit |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W-A | 6-12 ft | Round white blooms, pond/stream edges statewide |
| Mountain Mahogany | Cercocarpus montanus | F | D | 6-12 ft | Evergreen-ish browse shrub of Trans-Pecos mountains |
| Damianita | Chrysactinia mexicana | F | D | 1-2 ft | Aromatic evergreen subshrub, yellow blooms, Edwards Plateau/Trans-Peco |
| Texas Snakewood | Colubrina texensis | F | D | 3-6 ft | South Texas brush shrub, small dark fruit |
| Knifeleaf Condalia | Condalia spathulata | F | D | 3-8 ft | Spiny South Texas brush shrub, small dark fruit |
| Bush Croton | Croton fruticulosus | F | D | 2-4 ft | Trans-Pecos rocky slopes, aromatic foliage |
| Black Dalea | Dalea frutescens | F | D | 2-3 ft | Purple fall blooms, Hill Country limestone |
| Trailing Indigo Bush | Dalea greggii | F | D | 1-2 ft | Trans-Pecos trailing groundcover shrub, popular in gardens |
| 'A'ali'i | Dodonaea viscosa | F | D | 6-12 ft | Tough evergreen shrub for caliche/rocky soil; papery seed capsules |
| Mormon Tea | Ephedra antisyphilitica | F | D | 2-4 ft | Jointed-stem desert shrub, Trans-Pecos/West Texas |
| Coralbean | Erythrina herbacea | F-P | D-A | 3-10 ft | Scarlet spring flowers before leaves; toxic seeds; thorny stems |
| Texas Kidneywood | Eysenhardtia texana | F | D | 4-10 ft | Fragrant white spikes, Hill Country/South Texas, bee plant |
| Apache Plume | Fallugia paradoxa | F | D-A | 6 ft | Showy white flowers, feathery seed plumes; desert-tough |
| Cliff Fendlerbush | Fendlera rupicola | F-P | D | 3-6 ft | White spring blooms, Trans-Pecos limestone/rock |
| Tarbush | Flourensia cernua | F | D | 2-4 ft | Classic Chihuahuan Desert shrub; fall yellow flowers |
| Narrowleaf Forestiera | Forestiera angustifolia | F-P | D | 6-12 ft | Dense evergreen shrub for dry alkaline soil; elbow-bush branching |
| Ocotillo | Fouquieria splendens | F | D | 8-15 ft | Signature Chihuahuan Desert plant, red tubular spring blooms |
| Carolina Buckthorn | Frangula caroliniana | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft | Showy red-to-black fruit, Hill Country woodlands |
| Silktassel | Garrya ovata | F-P | D | 4-8 ft | Evergreen Trans-Pecos mountain shrub |
| Texas Guayacan | Guaiacum angustifolium | F | D | 4-8 ft | Purple blooms, South Texas brush, slow growing |
| Heartleaf Hibiscus | Hibiscus martianus | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Red blooms, South Texas brush, hummingbird favorite |
| Yaupon Holly | Ilex vomitoria | F-P | A-D | 30 ft | Evergreen holly; red berries, classic hedge/screen plant |
| Leatherstem | Jatropha dioica | F | D | 1-2 ft | Succulent-stemmed South/West Texas subshrub |
| Coyotillo | Karwinskia humboldtiana | F | D | 3-6 ft | South Texas brush shrub; fruit toxic to livestock, not for consumption |
| White Ratany | Krameria grayi | F | D | 1-3 ft | Low desert shrub, Trans-Pecos, magenta blooms |
| Texas Lantana | Lantana urticoides | F-P | A-D | 6 ft | Orange-yellow clusters; butterfly magnet, tough shrub |
| Creosote Bush | Larrea tridentata | F | D | 3-8 ft | Signature Chihuahuan Desert evergreen shrub |
| Cenizo / Texas Sage | Leucophyllum frutescens | F | D | 4-8 ft | Silver-leaved, blooms after rain; tough caliche soils |
| Wolfberry | Lycium berlandieri | F | D | 3-6 ft | Thorny South/West Texas shrub, red berries for birds |
| Agarita | Mahonia trifoliolata | F-P | D | 3-6 ft | Spiny evergreen; fragrant yellow flowers Feb-Apr; edible red berries |
| Turk's Cap | Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii | P-S | A | 2-6 ft | Shade-tolerant; red hummingbird flowers, dies back in freeze |
| Fragrant Mimosa | Mimosa borealis | F | D | 3-5 ft | Pink puff blooms, Hill Country/West Texas |
| Velvetpod Mimosa | Mimosa dysocarpa | F | D | 3-6 ft | Trans-Pecos thorny shrub, pink blooms, bee forage |
| Texas Paloverde | Parkinsonia texana | F | D | 8-15 ft | South Texas brush, yellow spring blooms, green bark |
| Guayule | Parthenium argentatum | F | D | 1-3 ft | Rubber-producing shrub; Big Bend desert native |
| Texas Rock Rose | Pavonia lasiopetala | F-P | D-A | 2-3 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Long summer bloom on rocky soil; reseeds lightly; deer resistant |
| Littleleaf Mockorange | Philadelphus microphyllus | F | D | 3-6 ft | Fragrant white flowers late spring; tough on rocky slopes |
| Mountain Ninebark | Physocarpus monogynus | P | A-D | 2–4 ft | Rocky-slope shrub with shreddy bark; part sun to part shade |
| Chickasaw Plum | Prunus angustifolia | F-P | A-D | 6-25 ft | Thicket-forming; small tart plums feed wildlife |
| Common Hoptree | Ptelea trifoliata | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft | Larval host for giant swallowtail, statewide Texas |
| Littleleaf Sumac | Rhus microphylla | F | D | 6-10 ft | Thicket-forming, red fruit for wildlife, West/South Texas |
| Skunkbush Sumac | Rhus trilobata | F-P | D | 3-6 ft | Fall color, wildlife fruit, widespread West Texas |
| Evergreen Sumac | Rhus virens | F-P | D | 6-12 ft | Glossy evergreen screen shrub, Hill Country/Trans-Pecos |
| White Prairie Rose | Rosa foliolosa | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Low, nearly thornless suckering rose; dry prairies/limestone hills |
| Dwarf Palmetto | Sabal minor | F-S | A | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant palm; iconic Hill Country river bottoms |
| Shrubby Blue Sage | Salvia ballotiflora | F | D | 2-4 ft | Fragrant foliage, blue blooms, South/West Texas |
| Autumn Sage | Salvia greggii | F-P | D | 2-3 ft | TX Hill Country shrub; red/pink/white blooms, hummingbird favorite |
| Mountain Sage | Salvia regla | F-P | A-D | 3-6 ft | Orange-red fall blooms, Big Bend canyons, hummingbirds |
| Catclaw Acacia | Senegalia greggii | F | D | 8-15 ft | Thorny legume shrub, Trans-Pecos washes, bee forage |
| Roemer's Acacia | Senegalia roemeriana | F | D | 3-7 ft | Thorny honey-plant shrub; caliche/limestone soil, low water |
| Lindheimer Senna | Senna lindheimeriana | F-P | D | 5 ft | Yellow pea-like blooms; butterfly larval host |
| Coral Berry | Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | F-S | A | 2-5 ft | Pink berries persist into winter; good wildlife shrub |
| Yellow Bells | Tecoma stans | F | D-A | 3-8 ft | Native shrub; blooms nearly year-round, hummingbird favorite |
| Damiana | Turnera diffusa | F | D | 1-3 ft | Low aromatic South Texas/Rio Grande subshrub, yellow blooms |
| Whitethorn Acacia | Vachellia constricta | F | D | 6-10 ft | Fragrant yellow blooms, Trans-Pecos/South Texas |
| Blackbrush Acacia | Vachellia rigidula | F | D | 6-12 ft | Dense thorny South Texas brush shrub, fragrant blooms |
| Twisted Acacia | Vachellia schaffneri | F | D | 10-15 ft | South Texas/Rio Grande Valley spiny legume shrub |
| Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum | Viburnum rufidulum | F-P | D-A | 15-20 ft | Small native tree; blue-black fall fruit, red fall color, limestone so |
| Skeletonleaf Goldeneye | Viguiera stenoloba | F | D | 2-4 ft | Yellow daisy blooms nearly year-round, Trans-Pecos |
| Orange Zexmenia | Wedelia texana | F-P | D | 1-3 ft | Long-blooming orange daisy groundcover shrub, Central/South Texas |
| Lotebush | Ziziphus obtusifolia | F | D | 4-10 ft | Dense thorny cover shrub, South/West Texas brush |
South and West Texas Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Sand Verbena | Abronia fragrans | F | D | 8-16 in | Fragrant white puffball flowers; Trans-Pecos sandy soils |
| Texas Hummingbird Mint | Agastache cana | F | D-A | 2-3 ft | Fragrant pink spikes; Trans-Pecos mountain native |
| White Snakeroot | Ageratina altissima | P-S | A | 1-4 ft | White fall blooms; shaded limestone slopes and woods |
| Trailing Four O'Clock | Allionia incarnata | F | D | 4-8 in | Magenta flowers, trailing desert mat; Trans-Pecos |
| Wild Garlic | Allium canadense | F-P | A-D | 8-18 in | |
| Nodding Wild Onion | Allium cernuum | F-P | A-D | 8-20 in | Pink nodding blooms; rocky limestone slopes, bulb perennial |
| Drummond's Wild Onion | Allium drummondii | F-P | D-A | 6-12 in | Pink-white umbels in spring; Hill Country/West TX bulb |
| Prairie Onion | Allium stellatum | F-P | A | 1-2 ft | Pink-purple ball blooms; limestone prairie bulb |
| Narrowleaf Bluestar | Amsonia ciliata | F-P | D | 1.5-2 ft | Pale blue star flowers; sandy soils, early spring bloom |
| Tall Coreopsis | Anacis tripteris | F | A | 4-7 ft | Anise-scented foliage; tall prairie perennial |
| Carolina Anemone | Anemone caroliniana | F | D-A | 4-12 in | Early-spring prairie wildflower; well-drained soil |
| Mountain Death Camas | Anticlea elegans | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | HIGHLY TOXIC bulb/foliage; do not confuse with Camassia |
| Golden Columbine | Aquilegia chrysantha | P-S | A-W | 1.5-4 ft | Long-spurred yellow flowers; needs seep or streamside moisture |
| Red Prickly Poppy | Argemone sanguinea | F | D | 2-3 ft | White-pink poppy, spiny gray foliage; West/Central TX |
| Louisiana Sage | Artemisia ludoviciana | F | D-A | 2-3 ft | Silvery aromatic foliage; spreads by rhizome in dry soil |
| Antelope Horns | Asclepias asperula | F | D | 1-2 ft | Green-maroon milkweed, monarch host; statewide dry soils |
| Zizotes Milkweed | Asclepias oenotheroides | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Cream-green milkweed, monarch host; South TX brush country |
| Showy Milkweed | Asclepias speciosa | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Monarch host plant; toxic sap, spreads by rhizome |
| Smooth Aster | Aster laevis | F-P | A | 2-4 ft | Violet-blue fall blooms; adaptable prairie perennial |
| Desert Marigold | Baileya multiradiata | F | D | 8-24 in | |
| Yellow Wild Indigo | Baptisia sphaerocarpa | F-P | A | 2-3 ft | Bright yellow spring spikes; Hill Country/East-Central TX |
| Chocolate Daisy | Berlandiera lyrata | F | D | 1-2 ft | Yellow daisy smells of chocolate; Trans-Pecos/West TX |
| Sea Oxeye Daisy | Borrichia frutescens | F | A-W | 1-3 ft | Yellow daisy, salt marsh shrub-perennial; Coastal Bend |
| Purple Poppy Mallow | Callirhoe involucrata | F | A-D | 6-12 in | Low spreading wildflower; magenta cup flowers, needs drainage |
| Texas Paintbrush | Castilleja indivisa | F | A-D | 6-16 in | Hemiparasitic; sow with host grasses; Hill Country/Blackland |
| Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush | Castilleja integra | F | D-A | 0.5-1.5 ft | Hemiparasitic; plant near native bunchgrass host to establish |
| Woolly Paintbrush | Castilleja lanata | F | D | 6-14 in | Silvery-woolly leaves, red bracts; Trans-Pecos native |
| Downy Paintbrush | Castilleja sessiliflora | F | D | 4-10 in | Cream-pink bracts; West TX/Trans-Pecos grasslands |
| American Basketflower | Centaurea americana | F | A | 3-5 ft | Large pink-lavender thistle-like flower head; statewide prairies |
| Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista fasciculata | F | A-D | 1-3 ft | Easy reseeding wildflower; host for sulphur butterflies |
| Damianita | Chrysactinia mexicana | F | D | 1 ft | Aromatic evergreen mound, yellow daisies; Trans-Pecos/South TX |
| Water Hemlock | Cicuta maculata | F-P | W | 3-6 ft | Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens |
| Atlantic Pigeonwings | Clitoria mariana | F-P | D | 1–2 ft | Twining vine; dry sandy/rocky soil; showy upright lavender flowers |
| Large-flowered Coreopsis | Coreopsis grandiflora | F-P | A-D | 1-2 ft | Short-lived reseeding perennial; lean, sandy soil |
| Lanceleaf Coreopsis | Coreopsis lanceolata | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Showy yellow spring bloomer; easy in sandy or rocky soil |
| Plains Coreopsis | Coreopsis tinctoria | F | A | 1-3 ft | Maroon-yellow bicolor, easy from seed, statewide |
| Panamint Cryptantha | Cryptantha angustifolia | F | D | 2-12 in | Tiny white spring flowers; desert annual after rains |
| American Dittany | Cunila origanoides | F-P | A-D | 8-18 in | Fragrant, late-blooming; needs lean rocky soil |
| Feather Dalea | Dalea formosa | F | D | 1-2 ft | Purple-yellow flowers, feathery seed heads; Trans-Pecos/West TX |
| Black Dalea | Dalea frutescens | F | D | 2-3 ft | Fine foliage, purple fall flowers; Hill Country/West TX |
| Gregg's Dalea | Dalea greggii | F | D | 1 ft | Silver trailing groundcover; Trans-Pecos/West TX |
| Sacred Datura | Datura wrightii | F-P | D | 1-5 ft | Huge night-blooming white flowers; all parts toxic; desert xeriscape |
| Carolina Larkspur | Delphinium carolinianum | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Toxic to livestock & pets; blue flowers; dry, sharp drainage |
| Prairie Larkspur | Delphinium virescens | F | D-A | 1-4 ft | Toxic if eaten; white/cream spikes; dry prairie soils |
| Hoary Tansyaster | Dieteria canescens | F | D | 0.5-2 ft | Bushy gray-hairy wildflower; purple fall rays, drought tolerant |
| Polkadot Plant | Dyschoriste linearis | F-P | D-A | 6-12 in | Lavender tubular flowers, larval host; Hill Country/South TX |
| Engelmann Daisy | Engelmannia peristenia | F | D-A | 1-3 ft | Yellow daisy, drought-tough prairie perennial statewide |
| Plains Fleabane | Erigeron modestus | F-P | D-A | 6-12 in | Small white-pink daisy; widespread West/Central TX rocky sites |
| Rattlesnake Master | Eryngium yuccifolium | F | A | 4-6 ft | Spiny globe-like blooms; prairie wildflower, deer resistant |
| Red Dome Blanketflower | Gaillardia pinnatifida | F | D | 8-22 in | Long-blooming SW native; thin rocky/gypsum soils; low water |
| Indian Blanket | Gaillardia pulchella | F | A-D | 1-2 ft | Red-tipped yellow daisy; reseeds readily; statewide roadside native |
| Sweet-scented Bedstraw | Galium triflorum | P-S | A | 6-24 in | Fragrant shade groundcover for moist, rich soil in canyons |
| Dakota Mock Vervain | Glandularia bipinnatifida | F | D-A | 6-12 in | Purple-pink clusters, long bloom; statewide dry soils |
| Rose Vervain | Glandularia canadensis | F | A-D | 6-18 in | Spreading groundcover; reseeds in sandy, well-drained sites |
| Copper Lily | Habranthus tubispathus | F-P | A-D | 6-10 in | Coppery-orange rain lily; blooms after summer rains |
| Purple-headed Sneezeweed | Helenium flexuosum | F | A-W | 1-3 ft | Moist-meadow perennial; purple-brown disk, yellow rays |
| Common Sunflower | Helianthus annuus | F | D-A | 3-8 ft | Native annual sunflower, wildlife seed source; statewide |
| Beach Sunflower | Helianthus debilis | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Trailing sunflower; Coastal Bend dunes/sandy soils |
| Maximilian Sunflower | Helianthus maximiliani | F | D-A | 4-8 ft | Tall fall-blooming yellow sunflower; statewide prairie |
| Heart-leaf Hibiscus | Hibiscus martianus | F-P | D-A | 1-2 ft | Red hibiscus flowers; South Texas brush/RGV native |
| Woolly-white | Hymenopappus artemisiifolius | F | A | 2-4 ft | White puffball clusters; Hill Country/East-Central TX |
| Skyrocket Gilia | Ipomopsis aggregata | F-P | D | 12-30 in | |
| Standing Cypress | Ipomopsis rubra | F-P | A-D | 2-6 ft | See source-backed page and regional-range qualifications. |
| Blue Flag Iris | Iris shrevei | F-P | W-A | 2-3 ft | Wetland iris for pond margins and moist prairie swales |
| Hairy Tubetongue | Justicia pilosella | F-P | D-A | 4-8 in | Low mat, orange-red flowers; South Texas brush |
| Seashore Mallow | Kosteletzkya pentacarpos | F-P | W | 3–6 ft | Salt-tolerant marsh native; pink blooms July–Oct |
| Trailing Ratany | Krameria lanceolata | F | D | 4-10 in | Magenta flowers, root-parasitic groundcover; West/South TX |
| Rough Blazing Star | Liatris aspera | F | D-A | 1-4 ft | Rose-purple spikes late summer; dry prairies and limestone glades |
| Cusp Blazing Star | Liatris mucronata | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Fall purple spikes; limestone soils, Edwards Plateau |
| Dotted Blazing Star | Liatris punctata | F | D | 1-2 ft | Rose-purple spikes; Trans-Pecos/West TX plains |
| Prairie Flax | Linum lewisii | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Sky-blue flax flowers; Trans-Pecos/West TX |
| Stiffstem Flax | Linum rigidum | F | D-A | 6-14 in | Golden-yellow flax flowers; West TX plains |
| Silvery Lupine | Lupinus argenteus | F | D | 1-2 ft | High-elevation Trans-Pecos lupine for dry rocky slopes |
| Texas Bluebonnet | Lupinus texensis | F | D | 6–18 in | Annual; toxic seeds; self-seeds on lean, sunny ground |
| Lacy Tansyaster | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | F | D | 6-14 in | Yellow daisy, finely cut leaves; West TX/Trans-Pecos |
| Tahoka Daisy | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | F | D | 6-18 in | Lavender-blue daisy, ferny foliage; West TX/Hill Country |
| Texas Tuberose | Manfreda maculosa | F-P | D-A | 1-2 ft | Spotted succulent leaves, tall flower spike; South TX brush |
| Blackfoot Daisy | Melampodium leucanthum | F | D | 6-12 in | White daisy mound; caliche/rocky soils, long bloom |
| American Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | F-P | W-A | 6in-2ft | Native wetland mint; spreads by rhizome, flowers at leaf joints |
| White Four O'Clock | Mirabilis albida | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | Small white-pink evening flowers; West/South TX plains |
| Colorado Four O’Clock | Mirabilis multiflora | F-P | D | 1-3 ft | Showy magenta trumpets open evenings; deep taproot; low water |
| Lemon Beebalm | Monarda citriodora | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | Aromatic wildflower; reseeds freely, magnet for native bees |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | F-P | A | 2-4 ft | Lavender bee-balm flowers; Hill Country woodland edges |
| Spotted Beebalm | Monarda punctata | F | D | 1-3 ft | Fragrant lavender blooms; pollinator favorite, sandy soils |
| Prairie Celestial Lily | Nemastylis geminiflora | F-P | A | 6-12 in | Blue iris-like flowers, morning bloom; Hill Country bulb |
| Hartweg's Sundrops | Oenothera hartwegii | F | D | 6-12 in | Yellow evening-primrose relative; Hill Country/West TX rocky soils |
| Lindheimer's Beeblossom | Oenothera lindheimeri | F | D-A | 2-4 ft | Airy white-pink wand flowers; statewide, tough and showy |
| Missouri Evening Primrose | Oenothera macrocarpa | F | D | 6-12 in | Huge yellow flowers, sprawling; Edwards Plateau limestone |
| Pink Evening Primrose | Oenothera speciosa | F-P | A | 6-18 in | Pink cup flowers, spreads by rhizomes; statewide |
| Scarlet Beeblossom | Oenothera suffrutescens | F | D | 1-3 ft | Full sun, dry soil; moths pollinate, spreads by rhizomes |
| Yellow wood sorrel | Oxalis stricta | F-S | W-A | 4-12 in | Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating |
| Small Palafox | Palafoxia callosa | F | D | 1-2 ft | Pink thread-like flowers; sandy Central/West TX soils |
| Texas Palafoxia | Palafoxia texana | F | D | 1-2 ft | Pink thread-petal flowers; Coastal Bend sandy soils |
| Wild Quinine | Parthenium integrifolium | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Long-blooming white prairie forb; handle foliage with gloves |
| Rock Penstemon | Penstemon baccharifolius | F | D | 1-2 ft | Rose-red tubular flowers on rocky slopes; Trans-Pecos/Edwards Plateau |
| Big Bend Penstemon | Penstemon havardii | F | D | 2-4 ft | Scarlet tubular flowers; Trans-Pecos desert canyons |
| Hill Country Penstemon | Penstemon triflorus | F-P | D-A | 1-2 ft | Pink-lavender tubular flowers; Edwards Plateau endemic |
| Blue Curls | Phacelia congesta | F-P | A | 1-2 ft | Dense lavender-blue flower clusters; Central/West TX |
| Fameflower | Phemeranthus calycinus | F | D | 3-8 in | Pink flowers open briefly midday; rocky West/Central TX |
| Drummond Phlox | Phlox drummondii | F | A | 6-18 in | Showy pink-magenta annual; Hill Country sandy/clay soils |
| Prairie Phlox | Phlox pilosa | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Pink/lavender spring blooms; low-growing; dry open ground |
| Texas Frogfruit | Phyla nodiflora | F-P | W-D | 2-6 in | Low groundcover; tolerates foot traffic and some flooding |
| Obedient Plant | Physostegia virginiana | F-P | A-W | 2-4 ft | Pink spikes midsummer; prefers moist, well-drained soil |
| Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana | F-P | A | 4-10 ft | Weedy but native; purple-black berries, toxic to humans |
| Rabbit Tobacco | Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Annual/biennial; dry poor soils, cream everlasting fall flowers |
| Paperflower | Psilostrophe tagetina | F | D | 6-16 in | Papery yellow bracts persist; Trans-Pecos desert native |
| New Mexico Plumeseed | Rafinesquia neomexicana | F | D | 6-20 in | Desert annual; chicory-like white flowers after rain |
| Prairie Coneflower | Ratibida columnifera | F | D-A | 1-3 ft | Drought-tough prairie wildflower; yellow or maroon-yellow rays |
| Gray-headed Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata | F-P | A-D | 3-5 ft | Long-blooming prairie perennial; drooping yellow rays, anise scent |
| Clasping Coneflower | Rudbeckia amplexicaulis | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | Annual wildflower, not perennial; self-seeds; prairie/roadside |
| Wild Petunia | Ruellia humilis | F-P | D-A | 6-18 in | Low bushy prairie/glade native; drought-tolerant, host plant |
| Violet Ruellia | Ruellia nudiflora | F-P | D-A | 1-2 ft | Violet-blue blooms; tough naturalizer for sun or part shade |
| Pitcher Sage | Salvia azurea | F | D-A | 3-5 ft | Sky-blue fall flower spikes; statewide prairie |
| Scarlet Sage | Salvia coccinea | F-P | A-D | 1.5-3 ft | Bright red tubular blooms; hummingbird favorite |
| Mealycup Sage | Salvia farinacea | F-P | D | 18-36 in | Spikes of blue-violet flowers; tough garden perennial |
| Lyreleaf Sage | Salvia lyrata | F-P | A-D | 0.5-2 ft | Flat lobed rosette; lavender spikes; tolerates mowing, self-seeds |
| Mountain Sage | Salvia regla | F-P | D-A | 3-5 ft | Fall-blooming orange-red sage; Chisos/Davis Mts canyons |
| Cedar Sage | Salvia roemeriana | P-S | A | 6-14 in | Scarlet flowers in juniper shade; Edwards Plateau endemic |
| Wright's Skullcap | Scutellaria wrightii | F | D | 6-12 in | Violet flowers on caliche; Edwards Plateau endemic |
| Rosinweed | Silphium integrifolium | F | A | 2-6 ft | Yellow sunflower-like blooms; tough prairie perennial |
| Tall Goldenrod | Solidago altissima | F-P | A-D | 3–7 ft | Spreads by rhizome; vital late-season pollinator nectar source |
| Gray Goldenrod | Solidago nemoralis | F | D-A | 6-24 in | Dry-soil goldenrod for prairies and rocky slopes |
| Stiff Goldenrod | Solidago rigida | F | A-D | 1-5 ft | Bright yellow fall blooms; spreads on prairie soils |
| Seaside Goldenrod | Solidago sempervirens | F | A-W | 2-5 ft | Salt-tolerant fall goldenrod; Coastal Bend marsh edges |
| Wright's Goldenrod | Solidago wrightii | F-P | D-A | 1-2 ft | Yellow fall flowers on rocky slopes; Trans-Pecos mountains |
| Copper Globemallow | Sphaeralcea angustifolia | F | D | 1-3 ft | Orange mallow flowers; Trans-Pecos/South TX dry sites |
| Heath Aster | Symphyotrichum ericoides | F | D-A | 1-3 ft | Fall-blooming white aster; very drought tolerant; wide native range |
| Aromatic Aster | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium | F | D-A | 1-2.5 ft | Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold |
| Sky Blue Aster | Symphyotrichum oolentangiense | F-P | A-D | 1.5-3 ft | Fall-blooming prairie aster; tolerates limestone soils |
| Silky Aster | Symphyotrichum sericeum | F | D | 1-2 ft | Silvery-leaved prairie aster; purple fall blooms, drought tolerant |
| Four-nerve Daisy | Tetraneuris scaposa | F | D | 4-10 in | Yellow daisy on rocky limestone; Edwards Plateau/West TX |
| Tall Meadow Rue | Thalictrum dasycarpum | P-S | A | 3-5 ft | Airy white flower clusters; moist streamside sites |
| Greenthread | Thelesperma filifolium | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Fine-textured foliage, yellow daisy; Hill Country/West TX |
| Five-needle Pricklyleaf | Thymophylla pentachaeta | F | D | 3-8 in | Tiny yellow daisy mats; Trans-Pecos/South TX caliche |
| Dahlberg Daisy | Thymophylla tenuiloba | F | D | 6-12 in | Cheerful yellow blooms; reseeds freely, very drought hardy |
| Common Spiderwort | Tradescantia ohiensis | F-P | D-A | 2-4 ft | Blue-violet blooms late spring; drought tolerant once established |
| Damiana | Turnera diffusa | F | D | 1-2 ft | Small yellow flowers, aromatic leaves; South TX/RGV |
| Hoary Vervain | Verbena stricta | F | A-D | 2-4 ft | Spiky purple-blue blooms; tough roadside prairie plant |
| Western Ironweed | Vernonia baldwinii | F-P | A | 2-4 ft | Purple clustered flowers; Hill Country/Blackland prairie |
| Giant Rain Lily | Zephyranthes drummondii | F-P | A-D | 6-12 in | White flowers after rain; Hill Country/South TX bulb |
| Orange Zexmenia | Zexmenia hispida | F | D | 1-2 ft | Orange daisy, long bloom; South Texas brush country |
| Desert Zinnia | Zinnia acerosa | F | D | 4-10 in | Small white daisy-like blooms; very drought tolerant |
| Prairie Zinnia | Zinnia grandiflora | F | D | 4-10 in | Mat-forming yellow-orange zinnia; West TX caliche flats |
| Golden Alexanders | Zizia aurea | F-S | A-W | 1-2 ft | Early yellow blooms; pollinator favorite; moist prairie or part shade |
South and West Texas Grasses
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | F-P | A-D | 4-7 ft | Tall statuesque prairie grass; good wildlife cover |
| Sand Bluestem | Andropogon hallii | F | D | 3-7 ft | Sandy-soil bluestem; good for dune/sandhill restoration |
| Purple Threeawn | Aristida purpurea | F | D | 1-2 ft | Purple-tinged awned seed heads; statewide dry soils |
| Silver Bluestem | Bothriochloa laguroides | F | D-A | 2-3 ft | Silvery seed heads; statewide prairie/roadsides |
| Sideoats Grama | Bouteloua curtipendula | F-P | D | 2 ft | Texas state grass; tough, attractive seed heads |
| Buffalograss | Bouteloua dactyloides | F | D-A | 4-8 in | Classic drought-tough prairie turf grass; spreads by stolons |
| Black Grama | Bouteloua eriopoda | F | D | 4-12 in | Slow-spreading desert bunchgrass; sharp drainage, full sun |
| Blue Grama | Bouteloua gracilis | F | D | 1-2 ft | Eyebrow-shaped seed heads; West/Central TX shortgrass |
| Hairy Grama | Bouteloua hirsuta | F | D | 1-2 ft | Fine-textured, drought-tough; Hill Country/West TX rocky soils |
| Texas Grama | Bouteloua rigidiseta | F | D | 1 ft | Low clumping grass; Edwards Plateau/South TX |
| Prairie Sandreed | Calamovilfa longifolia | F | A-D | 5-7 ft | Tall sand-loving grass; good dune stabilizer |
| Cherokee Sedge | Carex cherokeensis | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | Arching clumps, shade tolerant; Central/East TX edges |
| Texas Sedge | Carex texensis | P-S | A | 6-12 in | Fine-textured shade lawn sedge; Hill Country woodlands |
| Fox sedge | Carex vulpinoidea | F-P | A-W | 1-3 ft | Sunny wet meadow sedge; rain gardens, pond edges |
| Inland Sea Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | P | A | 2-5 ft | |
| Arizona Cottontop | Digitaria californica | F | D | 1-2 ft | Cottony white seed heads; Trans-Pecos/West TX |
| Canada Wildrye | Elymus canadensis | F-P | A | 2-4 ft | Drooping bristly seed heads; statewide woodland edges |
| Virginia Wild Rye | Elymus virginicus | P-S | A-D | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant bunchgrass; good woodland understory |
| Purple Lovegrass | Eragrostis spectabilis | F | D | 8-24 in | Sandy-soil bunchgrass; reddish-purple seed heads in fall |
| Fluffgrass | Erioneuron pulchellum | F | D | 2-6 in | Tiny tufted mats; Trans-Pecos desert flats |
| Idaho Fescue | Festuca idahoensis | F-P | W-D | 6-10 in | High-elevation bunchgrass; Davis Mtns cool slopes only |
| Needle-and-Thread Grass | Hesperostipa comata | F | A-D | 24-36 in | |
| Pili Grass | Heteropogon contortus | F | D | 1-3 ft | Native bunchgrass of SW deserts; twisted awns |
| Galleta | Hilaria jamesii | F | D | 3-24 in | Desert grassland grass; spreads by rhizome, very drought tolerant |
| Green Sprangletop | Leptochloa dubia | F | D-A | 1-3 ft | Open seed head, good forage; Hill Country/South TX |
| Gulf Muhly | Muhlenbergia capillaris | F | A-D | 2-3 ft | Showy pink fall plumes; great for Hill Country/South TX gardens |
| Lindheimer's Muhly | Muhlenbergia lindheimeri | F | D-A | 3-5 ft | Showy fall seed plumes; Edwards Plateau limestone |
| Mountain Muhly | Muhlenbergia montana | F | A-D | 1-3 ft | Key ponderosa pine forage grass; deep roots; needs sharp drainage |
| Bush Muhly | Muhlenbergia porteri | F | D | 1-3 ft | Wiry, tangled form; Trans-Pecos/West TX desert grassland |
| Seep Muhly | Muhlenbergia reverchonii | F-P | A | 1-2 ft | Fine pink-tinged seed heads; Hill Country stream edges |
| Deergrass | Muhlenbergia rigens | F | A-D | 3-5 ft | Classic basketry grass; fountain form, tough and low-water |
| Spike Muhly | Muhlenbergia wrightii | F | D | 6 in | Small tufted grass; rocky West Texas slopes |
| Texas Wintergrass | Nassella leucotricha | F-P | D-A | 1-2 ft | Cool-season bunchgrass, winter green; Hill Country/Central TX |
| Texas Needlegrass | Nassella tenuissima | F | D | 1-2 ft | Fine hair-like leaves; Trans-Pecos/West TX rocky soils |
| Hall's Panicgrass | Panicum hallii | F | D | 1-2 ft | Compact bunchgrass; Central/West TX rocky soils |
| Switchgrass | Panicum virgatum | F | A | 3-6 ft | Airy seed heads, erosion control; statewide |
| Tobosa | Pleuraphis mutica | F | A-D | 1-3 ft | Sod-forming grass for heavy clay flats; vital drought-season forage |
| Blowout Grass | Redfieldia flexuosa | F | D | 1.5-3 ft | Rhizomatous dune grass; stabilizes blowing sand |
| Starrush Whitetop | Rhynchospora colorata | F-P | A-W | 1-2 ft | White star-shaped bracts; Coastal Bend wet soils |
| Tumblegrass | Schedonnardus paniculatus | F | D | 6-12 in | Zigzag seed spikes, breaks off to tumble; West TX plains |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | F | D-A | 2-4 ft | Blue-green turning copper fall color; statewide bunchgrass |
| Burrograss | Scleropogon brevifolius | F | D | 4-8 in | Low mat-forming; Trans-Pecos desert grassland |
| Streambed Bristlegrass | Setaria leucopila | F | D-A | 1-3 ft | Bottlebrush seed heads; South/West TX plains |
| Indiangrass | Sorghastrum nutans | F | A | 3-6 ft | Golden plumes fall; tallgrass prairie statewide |
| Smooth Cordgrass | Spartina alterniflora | F | W | 1–7 ft | Native Atlantic/Gulf marsh grass; invasive on Pacific Coast |
| Prairie Cordgrass | Spartina pectinata | F | W-A | 3-6 ft | Wetland prairie grass for pond edges and wet swales |
| Gulf Cordgrass | Spartina spartinae | F | A-W | 2-4 ft | Coarse clumping marsh grass; Coastal Bend saline flats |
| Alkali Sacaton | Sporobolus airoides | F | D-A | 2-3 ft | Fine airy seed heads; West TX alkaline flats |
| Sand Dropseed | Sporobolus cryptandrus | F | D | 1-2 ft | Fragrant seed heads; statewide sandy soils |
| Big Sacaton | Sporobolus wrightii | F | W-D | 3-8 ft | Tall bunchgrass; riparian West Texas floodplains |
| False Rhodes Grass | Trichloris crinita | F | D | 2-3 ft | Feathery fingered seed heads; Trans-Pecos/South TX |
| White Tridens | Tridens albescens | F | D-A | 1-2 ft | Pale seed heads; South/Central TX clay soils |
| Slim Tridens | Tridens muticus | F | D | 1 ft | Narrow compact bunchgrass; West TX rocky soils |
| Sea Oats | Uniola paniculata | F | D | 3-6 ft | Dune-stabilizing coastal grass; salt and sand tolerant |
South and West Texas Cacti & Succulents
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havard Century Plant | Agave havardiana | F | D | 2-3 ft | Large blue-gray rosette, Trans-Pecos mountains |
| Lechuguilla | Agave lechuguilla | F | D | 1-2 ft | Spiny Chihuahuan Desert agave; flowers once, then dies |
| Parry's Agave | Agave parryi | F | D | 1-2 ft | Compact blue-gray rosette, Guadalupe Mountains |
| Rough Agave | Agave scabra | F | D | 2-3 ft | West Texas desert rosette, pale leaves with teeth |
| Iodine Bush | Allenrolfea occidentalis | F | W-D | 2-6 ft | Succulent halophyte for alkali sinks; saline, alkaline soil |
| Cob Cactus | Coryphantha sulcata | F | D | 0.2-0.4 ft | Small clustering cactus, South Texas brush |
| Tree Cholla | Cylindropuntia imbricata | F | D | 3-6 ft | Upright cholla, magenta blooms, West Texas |
| Christmas Cactus (Tasajillo) | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | F | D | 2-4 ft | Pencil cholla, bright red winter fruit for birds |
| Smooth Sotol | Dasylirion leiophyllum | F | D | 2-4 ft | Trans-Pecos rosette shrub, smooth leaf margins |
| Texas Sotol | Dasylirion texanum | F | D | 3-5 ft | Grass-like rosette, Hill Country/South Texas limestone |
| Desert Spoon | Dasylirion wheeleri | F | D | 3-5 ft | Striking blue-gray rosette, Trans-Pecos desert gardens |
| Horse Crippler | Echinocactus texensis | F | D | 0.3-0.5 ft | Low flat barrel cactus, statewide South/West Texas |
| Texas Rainbow Cactus | Echinocereus dasyacanthus | F | D | 0.5-1 ft | Banded spines, large yellow blooms, Trans-Pecos |
| Lace Hedgehog Cactus | Echinocereus reichenbachii | F | D | 0.3-0.6 ft | Dense white spines, Edwards Plateau/South Texas |
| Claret Cup Cactus | Echinocereus triglochidiatus | F | D | 0.5-1 ft | Brilliant red spring blooms, Trans-Pecos rocky slopes |
| Texas Barrel Cactus (Turk's Head) | Ferocactus hamatacanthus | F | D | 1-2 ft | Hooked spines, South/West Texas rocky ground |
| Fishhook Barrel Cactus | Ferocactus wislizeni | F | D | 2-6 ft | Hooked spines, yellow flowers; classic desert barrel |
| Chihuahuan Fishhook Cactus | Glandulicactus uncinatus | F | D | 4-10 in | Small solitary cactus; hooked central spines |
| Texas Red Yucca | Hesperaloe parviflora | F | D | 3-5 ft | Bold rosette; coral flower spikes attract hummingbirds |
| Little Nipple Cactus | Mammillaria heyderi | F | D | 0.2-0.3 ft | Low clustering cactus, widespread South/West Texas |
| False Aloe | Manfreda virginica | F-P | A-D | 3-6 ft | |
| Foothill Beargrass | Nolina erumpens | F | D | 1-2 ft | Trans-Pecos rocky slope rosette |
| Devil's Shoestring | Nolina lindheimeriana | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | Narrow-leaved rosette, Edwards Plateau endemic-ish |
| Texas Beargrass | Nolina texana | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | Grass-like evergreen rosette, Hill Country/South Texas |
| Engelmann's Prickly Pear | Opuntia engelmannii | F | D | 3-6 ft | Widespread iconic Texas prickly pear, yellow blooms |
| Eastern Prickly-pear | Opuntia humifusa | F | D | 4-12 in | Native cactus, yellow flowers; sandy/rocky soil |
| Texas Prickly Pear | Opuntia lindheimeri | F | D | 3-6 ft | Common South/Central Texas prickly pear, yellow-red blooms |
| Purple Prickly Pear | Opuntia macrocentra | F | D | 1-3 ft | Purple-tinged pads in cold/drought, Trans-Pecos |
| Tulip Prickly Pear | Opuntia phaeacantha | F | D | 1-3 ft | Sprawling prickly pear, West Texas, red-orange blooms |
| Glory of Texas | Thelocactus bicolor | F | D | 0.3-0.5 ft | Pink blooms, showy spines, South/West Texas |
| Buckley's Yucca | Yucca constricta | F | D | 1-3 ft | Compact clumping yucca, South/Central Texas |
| Soaptree Yucca | Yucca elata | F | D | 5-15 ft | Tall trunked yucca, Trans-Pecos desert flats |
| Pale Yucca | Yucca pallida | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | Blue-green leaves, Edwards Plateau endemic |
| Beaked Yucca | Yucca rostrata | F | A-D | 10-15 ft | Slow-growing trunked yucca; blue-gray leaves; Big Bend TX only |
| Twistleaf Yucca | Yucca rupicola | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | Twisted leaves, Hill Country limestone endemic |
| Thompson's Yucca | Yucca thompsoniana | F | D | 3-6 ft | Trunked yucca, Trans-Pecos limestone slopes |
| Torrey Yucca | Yucca torreyi | F | D | 4-8 ft | Trunked yucca of West Texas deserts |
| Spanish Dagger | Yucca treculeana | F | D | 4-10 ft | Bold South Texas accent, white spring bloom spikes |
South and West Texas Ferns & Vines
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum capillus-veneris | P-S | W | 10 in-2 ft | Needs constant moisture; limestone springs/seeps, shaded rock |
| Wavy Scaly Cloak Fern | Astrolepis sinuata | F-P | D | 0.3-0.6 ft | Limestone crevice fern, Trans-Pecos/Hill Country |
| Crossvine | Bignonia capreolata | F-P | A | 30-50 ft | Vigorous vine for fences/trellises; part shade ok |
| Spurred Butterfly Pea | Centrosema virginianum | F-P | A-D | 3-6 ft | Twining vine; violet pea flowers, larval host plant |
| Fairy Swords Lip Fern | Cheilanthes lindheimeri | F-P | D | 0.3-0.6 ft | Drought-tolerant rock fern, Trans-Pecos |
| Woolly Lip Fern | Cheilanthes tomentosa | F-P | D | 0.3-0.6 ft | Fuzzy drought-tolerant fern, Edwards Plateau/Trans-Pecos |
| Old Man's Beard | Clematis drummondii | F-P | A-D | 6-15 ft (vine) | Fluffy seed heads, South/Central Texas fencerows |
| Purple Leatherflower | Clematis pitcheri | F-P | A-D | 6-10 ft (vine) | Nodding purple blooms, Central/South Texas thickets |
| Virgin's Bower | Clematis virginiana | F-P | A | 10-20 ft | Fragrant white fall blooms; climbs fences and shrubs |
| Carolina Snailseed | Cocculus carolinus | F-P | A-D | 6-12 ft (vine) | Red berry clusters in fall, Central/South Texas |
| Buffalo Gourd | Cucurbita foetidissima | F | A-D | 6-12 in tall, 10-20 ft trailing spread | Sprawling vine, huge taproot; fruit bitter, not edible |
| Scouring Rush | Equisetum hyemale | F-P | W-D | 2-5 ft | Jointed evergreen stems; needs reliable moisture |
| Climbing False Buckwheat | Fallopia scandens | F-P | A-W | 10-20 ft (vine) | Fast twining native vine; fall/winter bird seed; give it room |
| Wild Potato Vine | Ipomoea pandurata | F-P | A-D | 10-16 ft | Vigorous trailing vine; large white funnel flowers |
| Beach Morning Glory | Ipomoea pes-caprae | F | A-D | 4-8 in (trailing 30+ ft) | Fast-spreading dune vine; binds sand; seeds toxic |
| Roving Sailor | Maurandella antirrhiniflora | F-P | D | 3-6 ft (vine) | Small snapdragon-like blooms, South/West Texas rock |
| Moonseed | Menispermum canadense | F-P | A | 15-20 ft | Climbing vine; yellow fall foliage, toxic blue fruit |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | F-S | A-D | 30-50 ft (vine) | Vigorous climbing vine; brilliant red fall color, bird fruit |
| Stinking Passionflower | Passiflora foetida | F-P | A-D | 3-8 ft (vine) | South Texas native passionflower, butterfly host |
| Purple Passionflower | Passiflora incarnata | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft | |
| Purple Cliffbrake | Pellaea atropurpurea | F-P | D | 0.3-0.6 ft | Limestone crevice fern, Edwards Plateau |
| Resurrection Fern | Pleopeltis michauxiana | P | D | 2-10 in | Grows on oak bark/rock; revives quickly after rain |
| Roundleaf Greenbrier | Smilax rotundifolia | F-S | A-D | 10-20+ ft | Thorny climbing vine; dense wildlife cover, winter berries |
| Southern Shield Fern | Thelypteris kunthii | P-S | A-W | 2-4 ft | Spreading evergreen-to-semi-evergreen fern for shade groundcover |
| Spanish Moss | Tillandsia usneoides | P-F | A | 2-8 ft trailing | Epiphytic air plant; no soil; drapes trees in humid shade |
| Poison Ivy | Toxicodendron radicans | F-S | A-D | 1-10 ft (vines to 60+ ft) | Urushiol rash on contact; never plant; valuable bird food |
| Mustang Grape | Vitis mustangensis | F-P | A-D | 15-30 ft (vine) | Vigorous native grape, wildlife and jelly fruit |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
Looking for a nursery that carries native Texas plants?
Browse our native plant nursery directory: Texas
Featured photo: Honey bee on Texas bluebonnet by Alex Wild, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
