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

Gum Bumelia

Sideroxylon lanuginosum

Tree

35 –

45 ft

10 –

30 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

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

White Rosinweed

Silphium albiflorum

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Starry Rosinweed

Silphium asteriscus

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

0.4 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

Dry, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Compassplant

Silphium laciniatum

Herbaceous

3 –

10 ft

1 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Rosinweed Sunflower

Silphium radula var. gracile

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Bush Sunflower

Simsia calva

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies

Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Herbaceous

1 –

1.5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Blue

Medium

Loam, Moist, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

American Black Nightshade

Solanum americanum

Subshrub

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Pollen

Green, White, Yellow

Low, Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds

Silverleaf Nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar

Purple, Violet, White

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Butterflies

Potato Tree

Solanum erianthum

Tree

6 –

12 ft

6 –

12 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Fruit

White

Low, Medium

Limestone, Sand, Well Drained

Birds

Texas Nightshade

Solanum triquetrum

Herbaceous, Vine

1 –

2 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Fruit

Violet, White

Medium, High

Dry, Rocky

Birds

Tall Goldenrod

Solidago altissima

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Beetles, Nectar Insects

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low, Medium

Dry, Loam

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Moths

Prairie Goldenrod

Solidago nemoralis

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.5 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Yellow

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Caliche, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Shiny Goldenrod

Solidago nitida

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Stiff Goldenrod

Solidago rigida

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low, Medium, High

Calcareous, Dry, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Beetles, Moths

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod

Solidago rugosa

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

2 –

5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds

Seaside Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens

Herbaceous

2 –

8 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Low, Medium

Loam, Moist, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

Twistleaf Goldenrod

Solidago tortifolia

Herbaceous

1 –

4 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Pollen

Yellow

Low

Dry, Loam, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees

Elmleaf Goldenrod

Solidago ulmifolia

Herbaceous

3 –

4 ft

2 –

4 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Low

Dry, Rocky

Bees, Butterflies

Necklacepod

Sophora tomentosa

Shrub

4 –

10 ft

4 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Indiangrass

Sorghastrum nutans

Grass & Sedge

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nesting Material, Seeds

Yellow

Medium

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

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Smooth Cordgrass

Spartina alterniflora

Grass & Sedge

3 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Yellow

High

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

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Moths, Small Mammals

Narrowleaf Globemallow

Sphaeralcea angustifolia var. oblongifolia

Shrub

3 –

5 ft

3 –

5 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Orange

Low, Medium

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

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

Scarlet Globemallow

Sphaeralcea coccinea

Shrub

1 –

1.5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Fruit, Larval Host, Pollen

Orange, Red

Low

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

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Prairie Wedgescale

Sphenopholis obtusata

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Green

Medium

Clay, Moist

Butterflies

Indian Pink

Spigelia marilandica

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Green, Red, Yellow

Very Low, Low

Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

Grass & Sedge

1 –

5 ft

1 –

3 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nesting Material

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Loam, Moist, Saline, Sand

Bees

Tall Dropseed

Sporobolus compositus

Grass & Sedge

1 –

4 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nesting Material, Seeds

Purple, Yellow

Very Low, Low

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

Bees, Birds

Sand Dropseed

Sporobolus cryptandrus

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nesting Material, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Dry, Saline, Sand

Bees, Birds, Small Mammals

Pineywoods Dropseed

Sporobolus junceus

Grass & Sedge

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Forage

Pink

Low

Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Browsers

Drummond’s Hedgenettle

Stachys drummondii

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Nectar

Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist

Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

Woolly Stemodia

Stemodia lanata

Groundcover, Herbaceous

0.5 –

0.75 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple, White

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Prairie Bluet

Stenaria nigricans

Herbaceous, Subshrub

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple, White

Medium

Calcareous, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Butterflies

Eve’s Necklace

Styphnolobium affine

Tree

15 –

30 ft

10 –

20 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material

Pink, White

Very Low, Low

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

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Nectar Insects

Coralberry

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Shrub

4 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material, Pollen

Green, White

Low, Medium

Loam, Moist, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Small Mammals

Texas Aster

Symphyotrichum drummondii var. texanum

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Blue, Purple, White

Low

Calcareous, Clay, Loam

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Heath Aster

Symphyotrichum ericoides

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Pink, White, Yellow

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Moths

Lanceleaf Aster

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum

Herbaceous

4 –

6 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Pink, Violet, White

Medium, High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Beetles, Moths

Calico Aster

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Herbaceous

4 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen

Purple, White

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies

Fall Aster

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Moist, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Moths, Small Mammals

Late Purple Aster

Symphyotrichum patens

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low, Medium

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

Bees, Butterflies

Willowleaf Aster

Symphyotrichum praealtum

Herbaceous

2 –

6 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Blue, Purple, Violet, White

Medium

Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Deer, Moths, Small Mammals

Barrens Silky Aster

Symphyotrichum pratense

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple

Low

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

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies

Small White Aster

Symphyotrichum racemosum

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, White, Yellow

Low, Medium, High

Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Butterflies

Tamauilipan Spring Mistflower

Tamaulipa azurea

Shrub, Vine

2 –

4 ft

5 –

10 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Seeds

Blue, Purple

Low

Clay, Loam, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum

Tree

50 –

75 ft

20 –

45 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Larval Host, Nesting Material, Seeds

Purple

Medium, High

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

Birds, Moths, Small Mammals

Montezuma Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum

Tree

20 –

30 ft

3 –

9 ft

Sun, Shade

Evergreen

Nesting Material, Seeds

Brown

Medium, High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Birds

Esperanza

Tecoma stans

Shrub

4 –

8 ft

3 –

5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

Orange, Yellow

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Well Drained

Browsers, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Small Mammals

Squarebud Daisy

Tetragonotheca texana

Herbaceous

3 –

4 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar

Brown, Yellow

Low

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

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

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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