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

Cutleaf Coneﬂower

Rudbeckia laciniata

Herbaceous

3 –

10 ft

1.5 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low, Medium

Moist

Bees, Birds

Giant Coneflower

Rudbeckia maxima

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

High

Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Missouri Coneﬂower

Rudbeckia missouriensis

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Orange, Yellow, Brown

Low, Medium

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

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Sweet Coneﬂower

Rudbeckia subtomentosa

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Beetles

Texas Coneflower

Rudbeckia texana

Herbaceous

4 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

Dry, Moist, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Seeds

Orange, Yellow

Medium

Dry, Moist, Rocky

Birds, Butterflies

Carolina Wild Petunia

Ruellia caroliniensis

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Pink, Purple

Medium

Sand, Clay, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Moths, Bees

Drummond’s Wild Petunia

Ruellia drummondiana

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low

Dry, Rocky

Butterflies

Prairie Petunia

Ruellia humilis

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1.5 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Medium

Dry, Limestone, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths

Metz’s Wild Petunia

Ruellia metzae

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar

White

Low

Gravelly, Limestone

Butterflies

Wild Petunia

Ruellia nudiflora

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar

Purple

Low, Medium

Dry, Moist, Sand

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Nectar Insects

Western Wild Petunia

Ruellia occidentalis

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Purple

Low, Medium

Dry, Moist

Butterflies

Texas Sabal Palm

Sabal mexicana

Tree

35 –

45 ft

12 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Fruit, Nesting Material

White

Low, Medium

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

Birds

Dwarf Palmetto

Sabal minor

Shrub

5 –

10 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Fruit, Nectar

White

Medium

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

Birds, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Meadow Pink

Sabatia campestris

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Pink, White

Low, Medium, High

Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Nectar Insects

Bulltongue Arrowhead

Sagittaria lancifolia

Herbaceous, Wetland

3 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Seeds

Pink, White

High

Moist, Mud, Sand

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Browsers, Small Mammals

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Herbaceous, Wetland

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage

Pink, White

High

Moist, Mud, Poor Drainage, Sand

Birds, Small Mammals

Delta Arrowhead

Sagittaria platyphylla

Herbaceous, Wetland

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Seeds

White

High

Moist, Mud, Sand, Wet

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Browsers, Small Mammals

Black Willow

Salix nigra

Tree

10 –

60 ft

10 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Deer, Small Mammals

Azure Sage

Salvia azurea

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Blue, White

Low

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

Bees, Butterflies, Moths

Shrubby Blue Sage

Salvia ballotiflora

Shrub

3 –

5 ft

3 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Blue, Purple

Low

Calcareous, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Scarlet Sage

Salvia coccinea

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Red, White

Low, Medium

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Mealy Blue Sage

Salvia farinacea

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Blue

Low

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Autumn Sage

Salvia greggii

Shrub

2 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Red, White

Low

Dry, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Slenderleaf Sage

Salvia leptophylla

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nectar

Purple

Low

Dry, Gravelly, Well Drained

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Lyre Leaf Sage

Salvia lyrata

Groundcover, Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.75 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple

Low, Medium

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

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Big Red Sage

Salvia penstemonoides

Herbaceous

3 –

5 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar

Purple, Red

Medium

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Well Drained

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Cedar Sage

Salvia roemeriana

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Red

Very Low, Low

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

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Texas Sage

Salvia texana

Herbaceous

1 –

1.5 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple

Low

Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies

Common Elderberry

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

Shrub

6 –

12 ft

5 –

12 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

White

Medium, High

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

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

Soapberry

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii

Tree

10 –

50 ft

12 –

12 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit, Larval Host

White

Low

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

Birds, Butterflies

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Tree

15 –

20 ft

10 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit, Larval Host

Brown, Green, Yellow

Medium

Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies

Lizard Tail

Saururus cernuus

Herbaceous, Wetland

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Seeds

White

High

Brackish, Moist, Mud, Wet

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds

Desert Yaupon

Schaefferia cuneifolia

Tree

3 –

6 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Forage, Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

Green, Orange, White

Low

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

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Grass & Sedge

2 –

4 ft

1.5 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Brown, Green, White

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Texas Feathershank

Schoenocaulon texanum

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Green, White

Low

Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Burro Grass

Scleropogon brevifolius

Grass & Sedge

.5 –

.75 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nesting Material

Pink, White

Low

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

Birds

Helmet Skullcap

Scutellaria integrifolia

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Pollen

Blue, Pink, White

Medium, High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees

Heartleaf Skullcap

Scutellaria ovata

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple

Low, Medium

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Shallow

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Texas Skullcap

Scutellaria texana

Herbaceous

.75 –

1 ft

.25 –

.60 ft

Deciduous

Blue, Purple, White

Limestone, Rocky

Wright’s Skullcap

Scutellaria wrightii

Herbaceous

0.5 –

0.75 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Purple, White

Low

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

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Guajillo

Senegalia berlandieri

Tree

3 –

16 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

White

Low

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

Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Gregg Catclaw Acacia

Senegalia greggii

Tree

15 –

20 ft

5 –

6 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar

White, Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Nectar Insects

Catclaw Acacia

Senegalia roemeriana

Shrub, Tree

15 –

20 ft

10 –

15 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Nesting Material, Pollen, Seeds

Green, White

Very Low, Low

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

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Lindheimer’s Senna

Senna lindheimeriana

Shrub

3 –

6 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Yellow

Low

Sand, Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees

Two Leaved Senna

Senna roemeriana

Shrub

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Yellow

Low, Medium

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Limestone, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Canyon Senna

Senna wislizeni

Shrub

4 –

6 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Orange, Yellow

Low, Medium

Clay, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies

Southwestern Bristlegrass

Setaria scheelei

Grass & Sedge

2 –

3 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Seeds

Green, White

Low, Medium

Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Browsers, Small Mammals

Showy Fanpetals

Sida lindheimeri

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar

White, Yellow

Low

Clay, Loam, Sand

Butterflies

Coma

Sideroxylon celastrinum

Tree

10 –

30 ft

10 –

30 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Flowers, Fruit, Nectar, Nesting Material

Green, White, Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

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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