Drought Resistant Plants for Texas and Beyond

A list of commercially available native plants that perform well during extreme drought. The Distribution section of the plant descriptions lists states where each occurs. Produce a state-specific drought list using the Narrow Your Search option at right.


Scientific Name Common Name Duration Habit Sun Water
Acalypha radians Cardinal's Feather, Cardinal Feather Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Agave americana American Century Plant, Century Plant Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Agave lechuguilla Lechuguilla, Tula Ixtle, Maguey Lechuguilla, Shindagger Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Ageratina havanensis Shrubby Boneset, White Mistflower, White Shrub Mistflower, Havana Snakeroot Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Allowissadula holosericea Velvet-leaf Mallow, Chisos Mountain False Indianmallow Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii Flame Acanthus, Hummingbird Bush, Wright's Desert Honeysuckle, Wright Acanthus, Mexican Flame, Wright's Mexican Flame Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Artemisia ludoviciana Louisiana Artemisia, Louisiana Sage, White Sage, Prairie Sage, Silver Sage, White Sagebrush, Louisiana Wormwood, Silver Wormwood, Louisiana Sagewort, Gray Sagewort, Cudweed Sagewort, Mugwort Wormwood Perennial Subshrub Sun Dry
Asclepias asperula Antelope-horns, Spider Milkweed, Green-flowered Milkweed, Spider Antelope-horns, Antelope Horns Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Bauhinia lunarioides Anacacho Orchid Tree, Anacacho Bauhinia, Orchid Tree, Texas Plume Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Berlandiera lyrata Chocolate Daisy, Chocolate Flower, Lyreleaf Greeneyes, Green-eyed Lyre Leaf Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Bouteloua dactyloides Buffalograss, Buffalo Grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Dry
Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Dry
Buddleja marrubiifolia Woolly Butterflybush, Butterfly Bush, Woolly Butterfly-bush Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Callirhoe involucrata Winecup, Purple Poppy Mallow Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Callirhoe pedata Palmleaf Poppymallow, Standing Winecup, Finger Poppymallow, Palmleaf Poppy Mallow Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Carex planostachys Cedar Sedge Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade Dry
Carex texensis Texas Sedge Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Centaurium beyrichii Mountain Pink, Meadow Pink, Catchfly, Quinineweed Annual Herb Part-shade Dry
Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow, Flowering Willow, Willow-leaved Catalpa, Willowleaf Catalpa, Bow Willow, Flor De Mimbre, Mimbre Perennial Tree Sun Moist, Dry
Chrysactinia mexicana Damianita Perennial Subshrub, Shrub Sun Dry
Conoclinium greggii Gregg's Mistflower , Palmleaf Thoroughwort, Palm-leaf Mistflower, Palm-leaf Thoroughwort, Purple Palmleaf Mistflower, Purple Palmleaf Eupatorium Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Cooperia drummondii Evening Rain Lily, Evening Star Rain Lily Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Cooperia pedunculata Hill Country Rain Lily, Prairie Lily, Rain Lily, Flor De Mayo Perennial Herb Sun Moist
Coryphantha sulcata Pineapple Cactus, Nipple Cactus Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Cucurbita foetidissima Stinking Gourd, Buffalo Gourd, Missouri Gourd, Stink Gourd, Wild Gourd Perennial Herb Sun
Dalea frutescens Black Dalea, Black Prairie Clover Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Dalea greggii Gregg Dalea, Gregg's Prairie Clover, Trailing Indigo Bush, Indigo Bush Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Dasylirion texanum Texas Sotol, Sotol Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Dry
Dasylirion wheeleri Common Sotol, Sotol, Desert Spoon, Desert Candle Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Diospyros texana Texas Persimmon, Mexican Persimmon, Black Persimmon, Chapote, Chapote Prieto Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Dyschoriste linearis Snake Herb, Polkadots, Narrowleaf Dyschoriste Perennial Herb Sun Wet, Moist
Echinocereus pentalophus Ladyfinger Cactus, Alicoche, Dog Tail, Devil's Fingers Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun, Part-shade Dry
Echinocereus reichenbachii Lace Hedgehog Cactus, Lace Cactus, Lace Hedgehog, Purple Candle Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Echinocereus triglochidiatus Claret Cup, Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog Cactus, Kingcup Cactus, Mojave Mound, Mohave Mound Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Euphorbia antisyphilitica Candelilla, Wax Plant Perennial Subshrub Sun Dry
Eysenhardtia texana Texas Kidneywood, Kidneywood, Bee Brush, Vara Dulce, Palo Dulce Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Fallugia paradoxa Apache Plume, Ponil Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Forestiera pubescens Elbowbush, Stretchberry, Spring Herald, Desert Olive, Tanglewood, Devil's Elbow, Spring Goldenglow, New Mexico Privet, Texas Forsythia Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Hechtia glomerata Guapilla Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Helianthus maximiliani Maximilian Sunflower, Max Sunflower Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Hesperaloe parviflora Red Yucca, Coral Yucca, Red-flowered False Yucca, Redflower False Yucca, Yellow Yucca, Hummingbird Yucca, Samandoque Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Hesperocyparis arizonica Arizona Cypress, Cedro Blanco Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Heterotheca canescens Hoary False Goldenaster, Gray Golden-aster Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Indigofera miniata Scarlet Pea, Coastal Indigo, Texas Indigo, Western Indigo Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Jatropha dioica Leatherstem, Leather Stem, Rubber Plant Perennial Subshrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Lantana urticoides Texas Lantana, Calico Bush Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Lenophyllum texanum Coastal Stonecrop Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Leucaena retusa Goldenball Leadtree, Littleleaf Leadtree, Little Leucaena, Lemonball, Wahoo Tree Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Leucophyllum frutescens Cenizo, Purple Sage, Texas Ranger, Texas Barometer Bush, Texas Silverleaf, Texas Sage, Silverleaf Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Lygodesmia texana Texas Skeleton Plant, Texas Skeleton Weed, Skeleton-plant, Purple Dandelion, Flowering Straw Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Mahonia trifoliolata Agarita, Agarito, Algerita, Laredo Mahonia, Laredo Oregon-grape, Trifoliate Barberry, Wild Currant Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii Turk's Cap, Drummond's Turk's Cap, Drummond Turk's Cap, Wax Mallow, Drummond's Wax Mallow, Drummond Wax Mallow, Red Mallow, Texas Mallow, Mexican Apple, Sleeping Hibiscus, Bleeding Hearts, Manzanita Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Mammillaria heyderi Little Nipple Cactus, Heyder Pincushion Cactus Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Manfreda maculosa False Aloe, Spice Lily, Spice-lily Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Manfreda sileri Siler's Tuberose Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Matelea reticulata Pearl Milkweed Vine, Netted Milkvine, Green Milkweed Vine, Net Vein Milkvine Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Melampodium leucanthum Blackfoot Daisy, Rock Daisy, Plains Blackfoot, Arnica Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Muhlenbergia rigens Deergrass, Meadow Muhly, Deer Muhly Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Moist
Nolina lindheimeriana Devil's Shoestring, Devil's-shoestring, Ribbon Grass Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Nolina texana Texas Sacahuista, Texas Beargrass, Basket Grass, Sacahuista, Bunchgrass, Texas Bear-grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade Dry
Opuntia ellisiana Spineless Prickly Pear, Tigertongue, South Texas Pricklypear Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun, Part-shade Dry
Passiflora foetida Corona De Cristo, Fetid Passionflower Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Dry
Pavonia lasiopetala Rock Rose, Rose Pavonia, Rose Mallow, Pavonia Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Penstemon baccharifolius Rock Penstemon, Rock Beardtongue, Cut-leaf Penstemon, Cut-leaf Beardtongue, Baccharis-leaf Penstemon, Baccharis-leaf Beardtongue Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Penstemon cobaea Prairie Penstemon, Prairie Beardtongue, Foxglove Penstemon, Foxglove Beardtongue, False Foxglove, Large-flowered Penstemon, Large-flowered Beardtongue, Cobaea Penstemon, Cobaea Beardtongue, Wild Foxglove Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Penstemon triflorus Hill Country Penstemon, Hill Country Beardtongue, Scarlet Penstemon, Scarlet Beardtongue, Heller's Penstemon, Heller's Beardtongue Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Phyla nodiflora Texas Frogfruit, Turkey Tangle Fogfruit, Frogfruit Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Portulaca pilosa Kiss Me Quick, Chisme Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Ptelea trifoliata Wafer Ash, Common Hoptree, Hop Tree Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Quercus fusiformis Escarpment Live Oak, Plateau Live Oak, Hill Country Live Oak, Texas Live Oak, Scrub Live Oak, Plateau Oak, Encino Molino, Tesmoli Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Quercus texana Nuttall Oak, Texas Oak Perennial Tree Part-shade
Rhus lanceolata Prairie Flameleaf Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac, Prairie Sumac, Lance-leaf Sumac, Lance-leaved Sumac, Texas Sumac, Tree Sumac, Limestone Sumac, Prairie Shining Sumac Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Rhus trilobata Skunkbush, Skunkbush Sumac, Fragrant Sumac, Aromatic Sumac, Scented Sumac, Ill-scented Sumac, Basketbush, Squawbush Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Rhus virens Evergreen Sumac, Tobacco Sumac, Lambrisco, Lentrisco Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Rubus trivialis Southern Dewberry, Dewberry Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Ruellia humilis Prairie Petunia, Fringeleaf Wild Petunia, Hairy Ruellia, Low Wild Petunia, Low Ruellia, Fringeleaf Ruellia, Fringe-leaf Wild Petunia Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Ruellia occidentalis Western Wild Petunia Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Salvia farinacea Mealy Blue Sage, Mealy Sage, Mealycup Sage Perennial Herb Sun Moist
Salvia greggii Autumn Sage, Cherry Sage, Gregg Salvia Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Salvia roemeriana Cedar Sage Perennial Herb Part-shade Dry
Senna lindheimeriana Lindheimer's Senna, Velvet Leaf Senna, Velvetleaf Senna, Velvet-leaf Wild Sensitive-plant, Puppy-dog Ears Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Sophora secundiflora Texas Mountain Laurel, Mountain Laurel, Mescal Bean, Mescal Bean Sophora, Frijolillo, Frijolito Perennial Shrub, Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Stemodia lanata Woolly Stemodia, Gray-woolly Twintip Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium Aromatic Aster, Aromatic American Aster, Fall Aster, Wild Blue Aster, Shale Aster Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense var. oolentangiense Skyblue Aster Perennial Herb
Tecoma stans Yellow Bells, Yellowbells, Esperanza, Yellow Trumpetbush, Yellow Trumpetflower, Trumpetbush, Trumpetflower, Yellow Elder, Hardy Yellow Trumpet, Yellow Trumpet Bush Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Tradescantia gigantea Giant Spiderwort Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Ulmus crassifolia Cedar Elm, Fall Elm, Basket Elm, Scrub Elm, Lime Elm, Texas Elm, Southern Rock Elm, Olmo Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Ungnadia speciosa Mexican Buckeye, Monilla Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Viguiera stenoloba Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye, Resinbush Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Yucca pallida Pale-leaf Yucca Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun, Part-shade Dry
Yucca rupicola Twistleaf Yucca, Twisted-leaf Yucca, Texas Yucca, Spanish Dagger Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun, Part-shade Dry
Yucca treculeana Spanish Dagger, Spanish Bayonet, Don Quixote's Lance, Palma Pita, Palma De Datil, Palmito Perennial Cactus/Succulent Part-shade Dry