Texas-South Recommended

Commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in South Texas. Visit our Suppliers Directory to locate businesses that sell native plants or seeds or provide professional landscape or consulting services in this state. Visit the Organizations Directory to locate native plant societies, conservation groups, governmental agencies, botanical gardens, arboreta, and other plant-related organizations in this state.


Thumb Species Characteristics

Abutilon hypoleucum
Whiteleaf Indian Mallow, White-leaf Indian-mallow, Rio Grande Abutilon

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Agave americana
American Century Plant, Century Plant

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Amblyolepis setigera
Huisache Daisy, Butterfly Daisy, Honey Daisy

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Andropogon gerardii
Big Bluestem, Tall Bluestem, Turkeyfoot

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Andropogon glomeratus
Bushy Bluestem, Brushy Bluestem

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light: Sun
Water: Wet, Moist

Atriplex canescens
Chamiso, Four-wing Saltbush, Wing-scale

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Bignonia capreolata
Crossvine

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Bouteloua curtipendula
Sideoats Grama, Banderilla, Banderita, Navajita

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Callicarpa americana
American Beautyberry , French Mulberry

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Moist

Callirhoe involucrata
Winecup, Purple Poppy Mallow

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Campsis radicans
Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, Common Trumpet Creeper, Cow Vine, Foxglove Vine, Hellvine, Devil's Shoestring

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Chile Pequin, Chile Tepin, Bird Pepper, Turkey Pepper, Cayenne Pepper

Duration: Annual
Habit: Subshrub
Light:
Water:

Carya illinoinensis
Pecan

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Castilleja indivisa
Texas Indian Paintbrush, Entireleaf Indian Paintbrush, Texas Paintbrush, Indian Paintbrush, Scarlet Paintbrush

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Centaurea americana
American Basket-flower, American Star-thistle, Basket-flower, Star Thistle, Shaving Brush, Basket Flower

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Chamaecrista fasciculata
Partridge Pea, Sleepingplant, Sensitive Plant

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Chromolaena odorata
Blue Mistflower, Fragrant Mistflower, Blue Boneset, Fragrant Boneset, Jack In The Bush, Crucita, Siam Weed, Common Flossflower, Christmas Bush, Devilweed

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Clematis pitcheri
Purple Leatherflower, Purple Clematis, Leatherflower, Bluebill, Bellflower Clematis, Pitcher's Clematis

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Colubrina texensis
Texas Hog Plum, Texas Snakewood, Texas Colubrina, Hog Plum

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Condalia hookeri
Bluewood Condalia, Brasil, Brasilwood, Bluewood, Logwood, Purple Haw, Capul Negro

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub, Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Conoclinium coelestinum
Blue Mistflower, Wild Ageratum, Blue Boneset

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Cooperia drummondii
Evening Rain Lily, Evening Star Rain Lily

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Cooperia pedunculata
Hill Country Rain Lily, Prairie Lily, Rain Lily, Flor De Mayo

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Cordia boissieri
Mexican Olive, Texas Wild Olive, Anacahuita, Anacahuite

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub, Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Coreopsis tinctoria var. tinctoria
Golden Tickseed, Golden-wave

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Cornus drummondii
Roughleaf Dogwood, Drummond's Dogwood, Rough-leaf Dogwood

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Delphinium carolinianum ssp. vimineum
Carolina Larkspur, Prairie Larkspur

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens
Carolina Larkspur, Prairie Larkspur, Plains Larkspur

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Desmanthus illinoensis
Illinois Bundleflower, Bundleflower, Prairie Bundle Flower, Prickleweed, Illinois Desmanthus, Prairie Mimosa

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Ebenopsis ebano
Texas Ebony, Black-bead Ebony, Ebony Ape's-earring, Ebano

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

Ehretia anacua
Anacua, Sugarberry Anacua, Anaqua, Anacahuita, Knockaway, Knackaway, Sandpaper Tree, Manzanita, Manzanillo, Tlalahuacate

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Eragrostis spectabilis
Purple Lovegrass, Purple Love Grass, Purple Plains Lovegrass, Tumblegrass, Petticoat Climber

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Eryngium yuccifolium
Rattlesnake Master, Button Eryngo, Button Snakeroot, Beargrass, Bear's Grass

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Erythrina herbacea
Coralbean, Cherokee Bean, Red Cardinal

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Euphorbia antisyphilitica
Candelilla, Wax Plant

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Eysenhardtia texana
Texas Kidneywood, Kidneywood, Bee Brush, Vara Dulce, Palo Dulce

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Fraxinus berlandieriana
Mexican Ash, Berlandier Ash, Berlandier's Ash, Plumero

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Gaillardia pulchella
Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Girasol Rojo

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida
Prairie Verbena, Purple Prairie Verbena, Dakota Mock Vervain, Dakota Vervain

Duration: Annual, Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. ciliata
Davis Mountains Mock Vervain, Dakota Mock Vervain, Wright's Verbena

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light:
Water:

Guaiacum angustifolium
Texas Lignum-vitae, Soapbush, Guayacan

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Havardia pallens
Tenaza, Huajillo, Ape's Ear-ring

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Helianthus maximiliani
Maximilian Sunflower, Max Sunflower

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

Hesperaloe parviflora
Red Yucca, Coral Yucca, Red-flowered False Yucca, Redflower False Yucca, Yellow Yucca, Hummingbird Yucca, Samandoque

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Heuchera richardsonii
Richardson's Alumroot, Prairie Alumroot

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Hibiscus martianus
Heartleaf Rosemallow, Tulipan Del Monte, Heartleaf Hibiscus

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Ilex decidua
Possumhaw, Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Meadow Holly, Prairie Holly, Swamp Holly, Welk Holly, Deciduous Yaupon, Bearberry, Winterberry

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Ilex vomitoria
Yaupon, Yaupon Holly, Cassina

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub, Tree
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Ipomoea imperati
Beach Morning-glory, Beach Morning Glory

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light:
Water:

Karwinskia humboldtiana
Coyotillo, Humboldt Coyotillo

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Kosteletzkya virginica
Virginia Saltmarsh Mallow, Virginia Fen-rose, Saltmarsh Mallow, Seashore Mallow

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Lantana urticoides
Texas Lantana, Calico Bush

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Larrea tridentata
Creosote Bush, Greasewood, Hediondilla, Governadora, Guamis

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Leucophyllum frutescens
Cenizo, Purple Sage, Texas Ranger, Texas Barometer Bush, Texas Silverleaf, Texas Sage, Silverleaf

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Lindheimera texana
Texas Yellowstar, Texas Star, Texas Yellow-star, Lindheimer Daisy

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Lonicera sempervirens
Coral Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Woodbine

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Lupinus subcarnosus
Texas Bluebonnet, Sandyland Bluebonnet

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water:

Lupinus texensis
Texas Bluebonnet, Bluebonnet, Texas Lupine, Buffalo Clover, Wolf Flower

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Mahonia trifoliolata
Agarita, Agarito, Algerita, Laredo Mahonia, Laredo Oregon-grape, Trifoliate Barberry, Wild Currant

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Malpighia glabra
Barbados Cherry, Wild Crapemyrtle, Acerola, Manzanita

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Malvaviscus arboreus
Turkscap, Wax Mallow, Bleeding Hearts, Mexican Apple, Manzanita

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light:
Water:

Mimosa texana
Texas Mimosa, Wherry Mimosa

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Monarda citriodora
Lemon Beebalm, Purple Horsemint, Lemon Mint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Horsemint, Horsemint, Purple Lemon Mint

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Monarda fistulosa
Wild Bergamot, Beebalm

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Monarda punctata
Spotted Beebalm, Spotted Horsemint, Horsemint

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Monarda punctata var. lasiodonta
Spotted Beebalm

Duration: Annual
Habit: Subshrub
Light:
Water:

Nolina texana
Texas Sacahuista, Texas Beargrass, Basket Grass, Sacahuista, Bunchgrass, Texas Bear-grass

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Oenothera speciosa
Pink Evening Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose, Mexican Evening Primrose, Showy Primrose, Pink Ladies, Buttercups, Pink Buttercups

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

Opuntia ellisiana
Spineless Prickly Pear, Tigertongue, South Texas Pricklypear

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii
Cactus Apple, Prickly Pear

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri
Texas Prickly Pear, Lindheimer's Prickly Pear, Lindheimer Prickly Pear

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra
Purple Pricklypear, Purple Prickly Pear

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Opuntia macrorhiza
Bigroot Prickly Pear, Twist-spine Prickly Pear, Common Prickly Pear, Plains Prickly Pear

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Opuntia phaeacantha
Tulip Prickly Pear, Brownspine Prickly Pear Cactus, Purple-fruited Prickly Pear, Brown-spined Prickly Pear, New Mexico Prickly Pear, Desert Prickly Pear

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Panicum virgatum var. virgatum
Switchgrass

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light:
Water:

Parkinsonia aculeata
Retama, Paloverde, Mexican Paloverde, Jerusalem Thorn, Horsebean, Lluvia De Oro

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

Parkinsonia texana var. macra
Texas Paloverde, Border Paloverde

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia Creeper

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Pavonia lasiopetala
Rock Rose, Rose Pavonia, Rose Mallow, Pavonia

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: 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

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Phlox drummondii ssp. drummondii
Annual Phlox

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light:
Water:

Phlox drummondii ssp. mcallisteri
Mcallister's Phlox, Drummond Phlox

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light:
Water:

Phlox drummondii ssp. wilcoxiana
Wilcox's Phlox, Drummond Phlox

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Light:
Water:

Pistacia mexicana
Mexican Pistachio, Texas Pistachio, American Pistachio, Copal Pistachio, Wild Pistachio, Lentisco, Texas Pistache

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Platanus occidentalis
American Sycamore, Eastern Sycamore, American Plane Tree, Plane Tree, Buttonwood, Buttonball Tree

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Prosopis glandulosa
Honey Mesquite, Glandular Mesquite, Algarroba

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Quercus hemisphaerica
Coast Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak, Laurel Oak

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Quercus macrocarpa
Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Wet, Moist, Dry

Quercus marilandica
Blackjack Oak, Barren Oak, Black Oak, Jack Oak

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Quercus virginiana
Coastal Live Oak, Southern Live Oak, Virginia Live Oak, Live Oak, Encino

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Ratibida columnifera
Mexican Hat, Red-spike Mexican Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Thimbleflower

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifolia
Black-eyed Susan, Blackeyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan

Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light:
Water:

Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima
Black-eyed Susan, Blackeyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan, Pinewoods Coneflower

Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Sabal mexicana
Texas Palm, Texas Palmetto, Mexican Palm, Mexican Palmetto, Rio Grande Palmetto, Victoria Palmetto, Palma De Micharos, Apachite

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Sabal minor
Dwarf Palmetto, Bush Palmetto, Palmetto

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Salvia coccinea
Scarlet Sage, Tropical Sage, Blood Sage, Red Sage, Indian Fire

Duration: Annual, Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Salvia farinacea
Mealy Blue Sage, Mealy Sage, Mealycup Sage

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Salvia greggii
Autumn Sage, Cherry Sage, Gregg Salvia

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii
Western Soapberry, Soapberry, Wild China Tree, Wild Chinaberry, Indian Soap Plant, Jaboncillo

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Schaefferia cuneifolia
Desert Yaupon

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium
Little Bluestem

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light:
Water:

Senegalia wrightii
Wright Acacia, Wright's Acacia, Catclaw Acacia, Catclaw

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Sophora secundiflora
Texas Mountain Laurel, Mountain Laurel, Mescal Bean, Mescal Bean Sophora, Frijolillo, Frijolito

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub, Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Sophora tomentosa
Yellow Necklacepod, Yellow Sophora, Necklace Pod, Tambalisa

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Sorghastrum nutans
Indiangrass, Yellow Indiangrass, Indian Grass

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

Ulmus crassifolia
Cedar Elm, Fall Elm, Basket Elm, Scrub Elm, Lime Elm, Texas Elm, Southern Rock Elm, Olmo

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Moist

Ungnadia speciosa
Mexican Buckeye, Monilla

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Vachellia farnesiana
Huisache, Texas Huisache, Sweet Acacia, Perfume Acacia, Mealy Acacia, Mealy Wattle, Cassie

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Vachellia rigidula
Blackbrush Acacia, Blackbrush, Chaparro Prieto, Gavia

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Vernonia baldwinii
Western Ironweed, Baldwin's Ironweed, Ironweed

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Wisteria frutescens
American Wisteria, Texas Wisteria, Kentucky Wisteria

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Yucca constricta
Buckley Yucca, Buckley's Yucca

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Sun
Water: Dry

Yucca treculeana
Spanish Dagger, Spanish Bayonet, Don Quixote's Lance, Palma Pita, Palma De Datil, Palmito

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

Zizia aurea
Golden Zizia, Golden Alexanders

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia
Lotebush

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light:
Water: