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

Cockspur Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli

Tree

20 –

30 ft

20 –

30 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Parsley Hawthorn

Crataegus marshallii

Subshrub, Tree

10 –

25 ft

12 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Poor Drainage, Sand, Silt

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Deer, Small Mammals

Mayhaw

Crataegus opaca

Tree

20 –

30 ft

20 –

30 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Pollen

White

Medium, High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Poor Drainage, Rich, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Small Mammals

Littlehip Hawthorn

Crataegus spathulata

Shrub, Tree

15 –

20 ft

15 –

20 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Pollen

White

Medium

Sand, Clay, Moist

Birds, Bees

Tracy’s Hawthorn

Crataegus tracyi

Tree

13 –

25 ft

10 –

15 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low

Dry, Granitic, Rocky

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Green Hawthorn

Crataegus viridis

Shrub, Tree

20 –

30 ft

20 –

30 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

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

White

High

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Swamp Lily

Crinum americanum

Herbaceous, Wetland

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

White

Medium

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

Bees, Butterflies, Moths

Texas Goatweed

Croton capitatus

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Seeds

White

Low

Dry, Loam, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies

Cortes Croton

Croton cortesianus

Shrub

3 –

6 ft

2 –

4 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

White, Yellow

Low, Medium

Caliche, Clay, Loam, Sand

Bees, Butterflies

Bush Croton

Croton fruticulosus

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Green

Low

Calcareous, Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Prairie Tea

Croton monanthogynus

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Seeds

White

Low

Calcareous, Gravelly, Limestone

Birds, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Buffalo Gourd

Cucurbita foetidissima

Vine

.5 –

1 ft

20 –

30 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Nesting Material, Pollen

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Bees, Birds, Small Mammals

Cholla

Cylindropuntia imbricata

Cactus & Succulent

5 –

8 ft

5 –

8 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Flowers, Fruit, Nectar, Nesting Material, Pollen

Pink, Purple, Red

Low

Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Christmas Cactus

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis

Cactus & Succulent

2 –

5 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

Green, Yellow

Low

Dry, Gravelly, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds

Thistle Cholla

Cylindropuntia tunicata

Cactus & Succulent

1 –

1.5 ft

5 –

10 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Pollen

Green, Yellow

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Gravelly, Rocky, Sand

Bees

Honeyvine

Cynanchum laeve

Herbaceous, Vine

20 –

30 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar

White

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Clay, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Butterflies

Talayote

Cynanchum racemosum

Vine

8 –

15 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Green, White

Low

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

Bees, Butterflies, Beetles, Nectar Insects

Titi

Cyrilla racemiflora

Tree

10 –

30 ft

10 –

35 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Fall Color, Fruit, Nectar

White

Medium

Loam, Moist, Rich, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Small Mammals

Golden Dalea

Dalea aurea

Herbaceous

.5 –

2 ft

.5 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Very Low, Low

Calcareous, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Silt

Bees, Butterflies

White Prairie Clover

Dalea candida

Subshrub

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Compact Prairie Clover

Dalea compacta

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.25 –

.50 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple

Low

Clay, Dry

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Feather Dalea

Dalea formosa

Shrub

3 –

6 ft

3 –

6 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Purple, Red, Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Browsers, Deer, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Black Dalea

Dalea frutescens

Shrub

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple

Low

Dry, Gravelly, Limestone

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Gregg Dalea

Dalea greggii

Groundcover, Herbaceous

.33 –

.75 ft

2 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple

Low

Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

White Prairie Clover

Dalea multiflora

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1.5 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low

Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Well Drained

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies

Dwarf Prairie Clover

Dalea nana

Shrub

.5 –

.75 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Pollen

Purple, Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Sand

Bees

Purple Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea

Subshrub

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Green Sotol

Dasylirion leiophyllum

Cactus & Succulent

3 –

6 ft

2 –

6 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Flowers, Fruit, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Sand

Birds, Small Mammals

Texas Sotol

Dasylirion texanum

Cactus & Succulent

2 –

3 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds

Common Sotol

Dasylirion wheeleri

Cactus & Succulent

4 –

6 ft

3 –

5 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

Caliche, Dry, Limestone, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Angel Trumpet

Datura wrightii

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

3 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar

White

Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Moths, Nectar Insects

Prairie Larkspur

Delphinium carolinianum

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

0.25 –

0.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple, White

Low

Calcareous, Dry

Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

Texas Mountain Laurel

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum

Shrub, Tree

12 –

20 ft

8 –

12 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar

Purple

Low

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

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Nectar Insects

Illinois Bundleflower

Desmanthus illinoensis

Shrub

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White

Medium

Caliche, Clay, Moist, Sand

Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Silver Ponyfoot

Dichondra argentea

Groundcover, Herbaceous

0.25 –

0.5 ft

2 –

2.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nesting Material

White

Low

Dry, Well Drained

Birds

Carolina Ponyfoot

Dichondra carolinensis

Groundcover, Herbaceous

.10 –

.25 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Green, White

Low, Medium, High

Dry, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

Sixangle Foldwing

Dicliptera sexangularis

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

1 –

3 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Red

Low, Medium

Limestone, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Hummingbirds

Arizona Cottontop

Digitaria californica

Grass & Sedge

2 –

4 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Seeds

White

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Browsers, Small Mammals

Texas Persimmon

Diospyros texana

Tree

8 –

20 ft

4 –

5 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

White

Very Low, Low

Dry, Limestone, Rocky, Shallow

Birds, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Small Mammals

Common Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Tree

15 –

80 ft

20 –

35 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fall Color, Forage, Fruit, Larval Host

Green, Yellow

Medium

Calcareous, Clay, Loam, Moist, Rich, Sand

Bees, Birds, Moths, Small Mammals

Saltgrass

Distichlis spicata

Grass & Sedge

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Seeds

Yellow

Medium, High

Moist, Saline

Birds, Butterflies

Snakeherb

Dyschoriste linearis

Groundcover, Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low

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

Butterflies

Texas Ebony

Ebenopsis ebano

Shrub, Tree

13 –

20 ft

13 –

20 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar, Nesting Material, Seeds

White

Very Low, Low

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

Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Chandler’s Craglily

Echeandia chandleri

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Orange, Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Texas Craglily

Echeandia texensis

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Flowers, Nectar

Orange, Yellow

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Rocky, Sand

Nectar Insects

Black Samson

Echinacea angustifolia

Herbaceous

1.5 –

2 ft

.76 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple

Low

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies

Topeka purple coneflower

Echinacea atrorubens

Herbaceous

2.5 –

4 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

White, Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Shallow, Dry

Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees

Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea pallida

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink, Purple

Medium

Clay, Dry, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Moths, Small Mammals

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Herbaceous

1.5 –

2 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink, Purple

Low, Medium

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

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Sanguine Purple Coneflower

Echinacea sanguinea

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Brown, Pink, Purple

Low

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

[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