Native Plants for Texas — What to Plant, and When

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Alum Root

Heuchera americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 35 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Zones 6a–10b · native to 15 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

American Linden

Tilia americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

American Lotus

Nelumbo lutea

Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

American Smoketree

Cotinus obovatus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 8b

American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

Zones 5a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Amsonia

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Angel's Trumpets

Mirabilis longiflora

Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states

Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Antelope Horns

Asclepias asperula

Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

Apache Plume

Fallugia paradoxa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Mar – Oct in zone 8b

Arizona Cypress

Cupressus arizonica

Zones 7a–11b · native to 3 states

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Atlantic Camas

Camassia scilloides

Zones 5a–9a · native to 14 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Autumn Sage

Salvia greggii

Zones 6b–10a

Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 8b

Baldwin's Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Black Oak

Quercus velutina

Zones 4b–9a · native to 35 states

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Blackhaw Viburnum

Viburnum prunifolium

Zones 3b–9a · native to 27 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Blue Elderberry

Sambucus mexicana

Zones 6a–10b · native to 8 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Blue Flax

Linum lewisii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states

Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 8b

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3a–10b · native to 22 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Blue Mistflower

Conoclinium coelestinum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 30 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 49 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa

Zones 8a–11b · native to 6 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Broom Baccharis

Baccharis sarothroides

Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states

Blooms Oct – Feb in zone 8b

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 47 states

Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 8b

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Zones 4a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Chickasaw Plum

Prunus angustifolia

Zones 5a–9b · native to 16 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 44 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Feb – Nov in zone 8b

Clove Currant

Ribes odoratum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Clustered Field Sedge

Carex praegracilis

Zones 4a–9b · native to 19 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Clustered Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Colorado Pinyon

Pinus edulis

Zones 4b–8a · native to 8 states

Common Lippia

Phyla nodiflora

Zones 8a–11b · native to 12 states

Blooms Jun – Dec in zone 8b

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Dec in zone 8b

Cream Wild Indigo

Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Creeping Bluestar

Amsonia repens

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Creeping Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium var. repens

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states

Blooms Feb – May in zone 8b

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Deceitful Pussytoes

Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Deergrass

Muhlenbergia rigens

Zones 7a–10b · native to 6 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Desert Marigold

Baileya multiradiata

Zones 7a–11b · native to 6 states

Blooms Jun – Jan in zone 8b

Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

Zones 7b–11a · native to 5 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 8b

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Dwarf Wild Indigo

Baptisia australis var. minor

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia humifusa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Opuntia engelmannii

Zones 7a–11b · native to 4 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Escarpment Live Oak

Quercus fusiformis

Zones 7a–9b · native to 2 states

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Zones 5a–9a · native to 32 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Fringed Bluestar

Amsonia ciliata

Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Gambel Oak

Quercus gambelii

Zones 4a–8a · native to 9 states

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Ghost Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Zones 5a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Golden Ragwort

Packera aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Golden St. John's Wort

Hypericum frondosum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 50 states

Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

Grape Honeysuckle

Lonicera reticulata

Zones 4a–8a · native to 15 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 50 states

Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 8b

Hyssop-leaved Thoroughwort

Eupatorium hyssopifolium

Zones 4a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Indian Ricegrass

Achnatherum hymenoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Inkberry

Ilex glabra

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Jewels of Opar

Talinum paniculatum 'Aureum'

Zones 8a–11b · native to 2 states

Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Juniper Tree

Juniperus virginiana

Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states

Lisianthus

Eustoma grandiflorum

Zones 8a–10b · native to 7 states

Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Zones 6a–9a · native to 15 states

Longleaf Pine

Pinus palustris

Zones 7a–9b · native to 9 states

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Mexican Feather Grass

Nassella tenuissima

Zones 6a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Missouri Ironweed

Vernonia missurica

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Muscadine Grape

Vitis rotundifolia

Zones 6a–10b · native to 19 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 8b

Narrow-leaf Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

Zones 6a–10b · native to 10 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Narrowleaf Coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 13 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 8b

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Zones 2b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Overcup Oak

Quercus lyrata

Zones 5b–9b · native to 19 states

Ozark Bluestar

Amsonia illustris

Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Palmer's Bluestar

Amsonia palmeri

Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Zones 6a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Zones 6a–9b · native to 25 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 8b

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Zones 3b–7b · native to 16 states

Post Oak

Quercus stellata

Zones 5b–9a · native to 29 states

Prairie Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya

Zones 3a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Prairie Crabapple

Malus ioensis

Zones 3b–8a · native to 11 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Prairie Ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Prairie Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Purple Lovegrass

Eragrostis spectabilis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 8b

Purple Three-awn

Aristida purpurea

Zones 5a–10b · native to 19 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Red Yucca

Hesperaloe parviflora

Zones 6a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

River Birch

Betula nigra

Zones 4a–9a · native to 26 states

Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

Roughleaf Dogwood

Cornus drummondii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 33 states

Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 8b

Rubber Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 8b

Rusty Blackhaw

Viburnum rufidulum

Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Scarlet Gaura

Gaura coccinea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 13 states

Blooms Apr – Nov in zone 8b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 49 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Sherry Sue Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'

Zones 3a–9a · native to 22 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 20 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 8b

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Zones 5b–9b · native to 23 states

Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon calycosus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Smooth Witherod

Viburnum nudum

Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Soapweed Yucca

Yucca glauca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 11 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 49 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Solomon's Seal (Native)

Polygonatum biflorum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Southern Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

Zones 7b–10b · native to 9 states

Southern Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera

Zones 7a–10b · native to 16 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Zones 4a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 8b

Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Zones 3a–9a · native to 22 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Sundial Lupine

Lupinus perennis

Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Swamp Dogwood

Cornus foemina

Zones 6a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 39 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Sweet Acacia

Acacia farnesiana

Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Tall Tickseed

Coreopsis tripteris

Zones 4a–9b · native to 27 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 8b

Texas Bluebonnet

Lupinus subcarnosus

Zones 7a–10b

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Tharp's Bluestar

Amsonia tharpii

Zones 7a–9b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Vernal Witch Hazel

Hamamelis vernalis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Dec – Jan in zone 8b

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Whirling Butterflies

Gaura lindheimeri

Zones 5b–9b · native to 2 states

Blooms Apr – Nov in zone 8b

White Ash

Fraxinus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

White Oak

Quercus alba

Zones 3b–8b · native to 35 states

Wild Aster

Symphyotrichum pilosum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 8b

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 45 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 8b

Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 23 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Wild Quinine

Parthenium integrifolium

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states

Willowleaf Sunflower

Helianthus salicifolius

Zones 4a–9b · native to 6 states

Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 8b

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Woolly Bluestar

Amsonia tomentosa

Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Wreath Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Zones 4a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 8b

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 8b

Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost