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.

Select Chapter: Select Class: Show:

Download Options

Select Export Fields:

Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

Snake-eyes

Phaulothamnus spinescens

Shrub

5 –

6 ft

5 –

6 ft

Part Shade

Evergreen

Fruit

Yellow, Green

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Birds, Small Mammals

Canyon Mock Orange

Philadelphus ernestii

Shrub

3 –

5 ft

3 –

5 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

White

Medium

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

Browsers, Bees

Blue Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Herbaceous

1 –

1.5 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Forage, Nectar

White, Blue, Purple

Medium

Loam, Clay, Calcareous, Rich, Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Drummond’s Phlox

Phlox drummondii

Herbaceous

0.5 –

1.5 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

White, Red, Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

Sand, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Fragrant Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Pink

Low

Sand, Rocky, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Moths, Bees

Frogfruit

Phyla nodiflora

Groundcover, Herbaceous

0.25 –

0.5 ft

2 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Larval Host

White

Low, Medium

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

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds

Finger False Dragonhead

Physostegia digitalis

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

White, Pink, Purple

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Marsh Obedient Plant

Physostegia intermedia

Herbaceous, Wetland

1 –

5 ft

1 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

White, Pink, Purple

High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds, Bees

Showy False Dragonhead

Physostegia pulchella

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Red, Purple

Medium

Sand, Clay, Moist

Nectar Insects, Bees

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Pink, Purple

Medium, High

Rich, Moist

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

American Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Herbaceous

3 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Nectar, Larval Host

White, Pink

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Birds, Small Mammals, Moths

Shortleaf Pine

Pinus echinata

Tree

50 –

100 ft

20 –

30 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Seeds, Pollen, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Yellow

Very Low, Low

Sand, Loam, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Longleaf Pine

Pinus palustris

Tree

80 –

100 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Seeds, Forage, Nesting Material

Brown

Medium

Sand, Loam, Deep, Moist, Dry

Browsers, Birds, Small Mammals

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Tree

60 –

100 ft

12 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Yellow, Brown

Medium

Sand, Loam, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Narrowleaf Silkgrass

Pityopsis graminifolia

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Low, Medium

Sand, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Tree

75 –

100 ft

30 –

50 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Red, Yellow, Green, Brown

High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

American Basketflower

Plectocephalus americanus

Herbaceous

1.5 –

5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Pink

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Saltmarsh Fleabane

Pluchea odorata

Herbaceous, Wetland

1 –

6 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink

Medium, High

Clay, Moist, Brackish

Butterflies, Nectar Insects

White Pumbago

Plumbago zeylanica

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

3 –

10 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

White

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Herbaceous

1 –

1.5 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Pollen

White, Pink

Medium

Sand, Loam, Rich, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Clammyweed

Polanisia dodecandra

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

White, Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

Sand, Gravelly, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Bees

White Milkwort

Polygala alba

Herbaceous

0.5 –

1 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

White

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Calcareous, Dry

Nectar Insects, Bees

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Fern

1 –

2 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Nesting Material

No Bloom

Medium

Sand, Loam, Rocky, Moist

Birds

Texas Prairie Parsley

Polytaenia texana

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Yellow, Green

Very Low, Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Pickerelweed

Pontederia cordata

Wetland

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Flowers

White, Blue, Purple

High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist, Mud

Butterflies, Birds, Deer, Bees, Aquatic Wildlife

Eastern Cottonwood

Populus deltoides

Tree

12 –

36 ft

35 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Seeds, Larval Host

Yellow

High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Birds

Chisme

Portulaca pilosa

Herbaceous

.25 –

.5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Dry, Saline

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Devil’s Claw

Proboscidea louisianica

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Flowers

White, Pink, Yellow

Low

Sand, Loam, Well Drained, Moist

Nectar Insects

Honey Mesquite

Prosopis glandulosa

Tree

25 –

30 ft

25 –

30 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

White

Very Low, Low

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

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Bees

Screwbean Mesquite

Prosopis pubescens

Tree

10 –

15 ft

10 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

White, Yellow

Medium

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

Browsers, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Bees

Dwarf Screwbean

Prosopis reptans var. cinerascens

Shrub

.5 –

1.5 ft

.5 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material

Orange, Yellow

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Well Drained

Browsers, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Common Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris

Herbaceous

.5 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

White, Purple

Low, Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist, Dry

Beetles, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Cherry Laurel

Prunus caroliniana

Tree

12 –

15 ft

10 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Yellow

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rich, Deep, Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Mexican Plum

Prunus mexicana

Tree

15 –

35 ft

15 –

20 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

White, Pink

Low

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

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Bees

Texas Almond

Prunus minutiflora

Shrub

2 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

White

Low

Limestone, Shallow, Dry

Birds, Small Mammals, Hummingbirds, Bees

Creek Plum

Prunus rivularis

Shrub

3 –

8 ft

4 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Nesting Material

White

Medium

Limestone, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Escarpment Black Cherry

Prunus serotina var. eximia

Tree

40 –

50 ft

30 –

40 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

White

Low, Medium

Limestone, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Eastern Black Cherry

Prunus serotina var. serotina

Tree

70 –

110 ft

30 –

40 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

White

Medium

Sand, Loam, Rich, Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Moths, Bees

Woolly Paperflower

Psilostrophe tagetina

Shrub

1 –

1.5 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Very Low, Low

Sand, Loam, Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry, Saline

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Scurfy Pea

Psoralidium tenuiflorum

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Purple, Violet

Very Low, Low

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

Caterpillars, Beetles, Moths, Bees

Wafer Ash

Ptelea trifoliata

Tree

10 –

20 ft

10 –

20 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

White, Green

Low, Medium, High

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

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Whiteleaf Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum albescens

Herbaceous

1 –

4 ft

1 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Pollen

White, Purple

Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Gravelly, Rocky, Moist, Dry

Bees

Blunt Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

White, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple

Medium

Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Bees

Narrowleaf Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

White, Blue, Purple

Medium

Rocky, Rich, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Beetles, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Deer, Moths, Bees

White Oak

Quercus alba

Tree

80 –

100 ft

60 –

80 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Nectar, Larval Host

Red, Yellow, Green, Brown

Medium

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

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Texas Red Oak

Quercus buckleyi

Tree

40 –

50 ft

50 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Nesting Material

White, Red, Green

Low

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Birds, Small Mammals

White Shin Oak

Quercus durandii var. breviloba

Tree

10 –

12 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nuts, Nectar, Nesting Material

Red

Low

Loam, Clay, Limestone, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Emory Oak

Quercus emoryi

Tree

30 –

40 ft

30 –

40 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nuts, Forage, Nectar, Larval Host

Yellow

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Deep, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer, Moths

Southern Red Oak

Quercus falcata

Tree

70 –

80 ft

40 –

50 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Pollen, Larval Host

Yellow

Low

Sand, Loam, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Escarpment Live Oak

Quercus fusiformis

Tree

20 –

60 ft

10 –

40 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nuts, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Yellow

Very Low, Low

Loam, Gravelly, Calcareous, Shallow, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

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

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

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