NLCP Plant Lists

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) Plant Lists

Select the desired plant list from the filters below. The menus adapt to the classes that are currently available from the chapters. After you select a class you can download it with just the information you want.

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Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

Hairy Water Clover

Marsilea vestita

Ferns & Allies, Wetland

0.5 –

1 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage

No Bloom

Medium, High

Moist, Mud, Sand

Birds, Small Mammals

Purple Milkweed Vine

Matelea biflora

Vine

.25 –

.50 ft

3 –

9 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Brown, Purple

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Bees, Butterflies

Plateau Milkvine

Matelea edwardsensis

Vine

.5 –

2.5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Pollen

Green

Low

Gravelly, Rocky

Bees

Pearl Milkweed Vine

Matelea reticulata

Vine

6 –

12 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar

Green

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Butterflies

Snapdragon Vine

Maurandella antirrhiniflora

Vine

3 –

5 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Flowers, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low, Medium

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Blackfoot Daisy

Melampodium leucanthum

Herbaceous

0.5 –

1.5 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White, Yellow

Low

Calcareous, Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Two-flower Melic Grass

Melica mutica

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Seeds

Brown, Green, Yellow

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Dry, Moist

Birds

Pyramid Flower

Melochia pyramidata

Herbaceous, Shrub, Subshrub

2 –

6 ft

1.5 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Semi Evergreen

Pink, White

Low

Limestone, Sand

Woolly Pyramidflower

Melochia tomentosa

Shrub, Subshrub

3 –

8 ft

2 –

6 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

Dry, Limestone, Moist, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Low Menodora

Menodora heterophylla

Herbaceous

.25 –

.75 ft

.25 –

.75 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar

Red, Yellow

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Nectar Insects

Showy Menodora

Menodora longiflora

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Hummingbirds, Moths

Alamo Vine

Merremia dissecta

Vine

10 –

12 ft

.25 –

.50 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Purple, White

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Caliche, Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Butterflies

Bearded Swallow-wort

Metastelma barbigerum

Vine

.5 –

.75 ft

5 –

6 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nectar

White

Medium

Clay, Granitic, Limestone, Sand, Silt

Butterflies

Texasfan

Meximalva filipes

Subshrub

1 –

4 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Purple, Violet

Low

Caliche, Limestone

Fragrant Mimosa

Mimosa borealis

Shrub

2 –

6 ft

6 –

12 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Pink

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Deer, Nectar Insects

Velvetpod Mimosa

Mimosa dysocarpa

Shrub

2 –

6 ft

4 –

6 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Pink

Low

Dry, Rocky

Birds, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Powderpuff

Mimosa strigillosa

Groundcover, Herbaceous

0.75 –

1 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Flowers, Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink

Low

Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Fragrant Mimosa

Mimosa texana

Shrub

3 –

7 ft

3 –

4 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Nesting Material, Pollen

Pink, White

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Loam, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

White Four O’Clock

Mirabilis albida

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple, White

Low

Dry, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Hummingbirds, Moths, Nectar Insects

Narrowleaf Four O’Clock

Mirabilis linearis

Herbaceous, Subshrub

2.5 –

4 ft

2.5 –

4 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Nectar

Pink, Purple, White

Low

Dry, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Nectar Insects

Wild Four O’clock

Mirabilis nyctaginea

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

1 –

2.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar

Pink

Low

Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Sand

Hummingbirds, Moths

Partridgeberry

Mitchella repens

Herbaceous

0.25 –

0.5 ft

0.5 –

0.75 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Fruit

Pink, Purple, White

High

Loam, Moist, Rich, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Small Mammals

Horsemint

Monarda citriodora

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

0.25 –

0.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple, White

Low

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Basil Beebalm

Monarda clinopodioides

Herbaceous

.75 –

1.25 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple, White

Medium

Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Beebalm

Monarda fistulosa

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink, Purple, White

Low

Dry, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Lindheimer Beebalm

Monarda lindheimeri

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

1 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

White

Low, Medium

Dry, Gravelly, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Spotted Beebalm

Monarda punctata

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Green, Pink, Purple, White

Low

Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera

Shrub

6 –

20 ft

4 –

10 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

Green

Low, Medium, High

Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Poor Drainage, Saline, Sand

Birds, Butterflies

Red Mulberry

Morus rubra

Tree

12 –

36 ft

35 –

40 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Brown, Green, Red, White

Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Gulf Muhly

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1.5 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fall Color, Larval Host, Nesting Material, Seeds

Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Clay, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Pine Muhly

Muhlenbergia dubia

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds

White

Low

Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Birds, Small Mammals

Big Muhly

Muhlenbergia lindheimeri

Grass & Sedge

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Nesting Material, Seeds

White

Medium

Calcareous, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Browsers, Deer, Small Mammals

Seep Muhly

Muhlenbergia reverchonii

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Brown, Pink, White

Medium

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Moist, Rocky

Birds, Butterflies, Moths, Small Mammals

Nimblewill

Muhlenbergia schreberi

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Seeds

Green

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Birds, Browsers

Googly-eyed vine

Myriopus volubilis

Vine

3 –

6 ft

4 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host

Green, White, Yellow

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Butterflies

Texas Wintergrass

Nassella leucotricha

Grass & Sedge

3 –

4 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host

Brown, Green, White

Low

Calcareous, Clay, Dry, Sand, Well Drained

Browsers, Butterflies

Mexican Feathergrass

Nassella tenuissima

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Nesting Material, Seeds

White

Low

Calcareous, Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Well Drained

Birds, Browsers

Prairie Celestials

Nemastylis geminiflora

Herbaceous

.5 –

1 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue

Medium

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Baby Blue Eyes

Nemophila phacelioides

Herbaceous

0.5 –

1 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, White

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

Tropical Puff

Neptunia pubescens

Groundcover, Herbaceous

.25 –

1 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Flowers, Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Devil’s Shoestring

Nolina lindheimeriana

Cactus & Succulent

1 –

3 ft

4 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Texas Beargrass

Nolina texana

Cactus & Succulent

1.5 –

3 ft

3 –

4 ft

Part Shade

Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar

White

Low

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Rocky

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Devil’s Bouquet

Nyctaginia capitata

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Orange, Red

Low

Caliche, Dry, Gravelly, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies

Banana Waterlily

Nymphaea mexicana

Herbaceous, Wetland

.25 –

1 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Seeds

Yellow

High

Deep, Moist, Mud

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Deer, Small Mammals

White Waterlily

Nymphaea odorata

Herbaceous, Wetland

1 –

1 ft

1 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Seeds

Pink, White

High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Mud, Poor Drainage, Sand

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Small Mammals

Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica

Tree

75 –

100 ft

40 –

70 ft

Sun, Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit, Nectar

Brown, Green, White

Medium

Moist, Poor Drainage, Sand

Bees, Birds, Small Mammals

Sundrops

Oenothera berlandieri

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

1 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Clay, Limestone, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Hoary Eveningprimrose

Oenothera biennis

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low, Medium

Dry, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds, Moths, Small Mammals

Long Flower Beeblossom

Oenothera ﬁliformis

Herbaceous

10 –

12 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, White

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Limestone, Rocky

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

False Gaura

Oenothera glaucifolia

Herbaceous

3 –

10 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

White

Low

Dry, Limestone

Bees, Butterflies, Beetles, Hummingbirds, Moths

[elg_csv_export grid_id="my-loop-grid"]

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason

About the Native Plant Society of Texas

Membership

News

Events

2024 Fall Symposium

2026 Spring Symposium

CHapter Information

Chapters

Native Plant Information

Native Plant Database

Top Plant Searches

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)

Monarch Conservation

Additional Programs

Publications

Invasive Plants

Speakers Bureau

Landscaping

Reading and Reference

Native Plant Society of Texas

NLCP Plant Lists

Level 1 List

Level 2 List

Level 3 List

Birds List

Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

About the Native Plant Society of Texas

Membership

News

Events

2024 Fall Symposium

2026 Spring Symposium

CHapter Information

Chapters

Native Plant Information

Native Plant Database

Top Plant Searches

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)

Monarch Conservation

Additional Programs

Publications

Invasive Plants

Speakers Bureau

Landscaping

Reading and Reference

NLCP Plant Lists

Level 1 List

Level 2 List

Level 3 List

Birds List

Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

About the Region