If you are wanting to improve the quality of your Texas yard with native plants, you’ve come to the right place. This list of Texas native plants will grow well for you since they are from here. They will benefit your Texas soil and you’ll be supporting native wildlife such as butterflies and birds.
Native plants are defined as those species that naturally occur, or have historically occurred in a particular place without direct or indirect human actions. This list of plants is not all-inclusive, but includes the most commonly used plants for landscaping in Texas.
How We Qualify a Plant as Texas “Native”
Some plants that may be found growing wild in other regions of the United States might still be considered “native” to Texas if they were introduced before Europeans arrived on this continent.
This list does include many popular garden plants which must be considered non-native since their origin can’t be traced back more than 400 years ago. You may add any plant you like to your flower bed, so long as it is not invasive.
Texas Redbud
If you’re looking for a beautiful flowering shrub that will bloom all summer long, consider the Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis). This small tree grows up to 25 feet tall and has delicate pink blooms in the spring.
Texas Mountain Laurel
Another great Texas native plant choice is the Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora), which typically reaches heights of 20-30 feet. This evergreen has fragrant white flowers that appear in late spring and early summer.
Wild Petunia
If you’re looking for something a little smaller, check out the wild petunia (Ruellia nudiflora). This low-growing plant can be used as a groundcover or in containers, and it blooms constantly throughout the summer with beautiful purple blossoms.
Mimosa Trees
Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) are a common sight in old Texas neighborhoods, and they thrive when planted under large oak trees. This deciduous tree is very tolerant of drought and poor soil and will grow up to 50 feet tall.
Eastern Redbud
If a Mimosa tree is too much, a smaller Texas native plant is the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), which stays smaller at 15-30 feet tall, but has similar pink spring blooms alongside heart-shaped green leaves that turn shades of orange and red in autumn.
Yucca Plant
If you’re looking for something to attract butterflies, check out yucca plants (Yucca spp). The yucca plant consists of rosettes of long, sharp leaves that are perfect for nectar-feeding butterflies. These plants can be used in borders, as hedges, or in containers.
Texas Invasive Plants
Invasive plants are those that spread rapidly and can take over an area, often displacing native plants.
Some common invasive plants in Texas include Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). If you’re not sure whether or not a plant is invasive, it’s best to avoid planting it.
Conclusion
Now that you know a little more about some of the best native plants to grow in Texas, get there and start planting! With a little hard work and time, you’ll have a yard that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
- Consider these hearty Texas native plants for landscaping:
- Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis)
- Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
- Wild petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)
- Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin)
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Yucca plant (Yucca spp.)
Related: When to fertilize a lawn in TX, When to plant grass in Texas