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

Bunch Cutgrass

Leersia monandra

Grass & Sedge

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Evergreen

Seeds

Green

Low

Dry, Limestone, Rocky

Birds, Small Mammals

Common Duckweed

Lemna minor

Herbaceous, Wetland

0.25 –

0.25 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Fruit

Green

High

Moist, Poor Drainage

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds

Coastal Stonecrop

Lenophyllum texanum

Groundcover, Herbaceous

.5 –

.75 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Larval Host

Yellow

Low

Clay, Dry, Sand

Butterflies

Mountain Pepperwort

Lepidium montanum

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low

Calcareous, Caliche, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Loam, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Peppergrass

Lepidium virginicum

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White

Low

Dry, Loam, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Green Sprangletop

Leptochloa dubia

Grass & Sedge

2 –

3 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host

Yellow

Medium

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

Butterflies

Slender Lespedeza

Lespedeza virginica

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

1 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers

Pink

Low

Clay, Dry, Sand

Tepeguaje

Leucaena pulverulenta

Tree

30 –

55 ft

10 –

20 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar, Nesting Material

White

Low, Medium

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

Birds, Nectar Insects

Goldenball Leadtree

Leucaena retusa

Tree

12 –

20 ft

12 –

15 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Seeds

Orange, Yellow

Low

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

Browsers, Deer, Nectar Insects

Brewster County Barometerbush

Leucophyllum candidum

Shrub

3 –

5 ft

3 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nectar

Purple

Low

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

Nectar Insects

Cenizo

Leucophyllum frutescens

Shrub

5 –

8 ft

4 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar

Pink, Purple, White

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Rocky, Well Drained

Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Big Bend Silverleaf

Leucophyllum minus

Shrub

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen

Purple, Violet

Low

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

Bees, Butterflies

Sharp Blazing Star

Liatris acidota

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Purple

Low, Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Silt

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Tall Blazing Star

Liatris aspera

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink, Purple

Low

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Rocky, Sand, Shallow

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

Bracted Gayfeather

Liatris bracteata

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple

Low

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Nectar Insects

Gayfeather

Liatris punctata

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple, White

Low, Medium

Calcareous, Dry, Limestone, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Prairie Gayfeather

Liatris pycnostachya

Herbaceous

1 –

5 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple

Medium

Clay, Loam, Poor Drainage, Rocky, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Shrub

6 –

12 ft

6 –

12 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

Yellow

Medium

Limestone, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies

Texas Yellowstar

Lindheimera texana

Herbaceous

.5 –

3 ft

.25 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Low

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

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies, Beetles, Deer, Nectar Insects

Yellow Prairie Flax

Linum berlandieri var. berlandieri

Herbaceous

1.5 –

6 ft

6 –

8 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Pollen, Seeds

Orange, Yellow

Very Low, Low

Gravelly, Limestone, Sand

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Prairie Flax

Linum lewisii

Herbaceous

1 –

1.5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Pollen, Seeds

Blue, Purple

Medium

Dry, Gravelly, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies

Bushy Lipia

Lippia alba

Shrub

5 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

Pink, Purple, Violet, White

Low, Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

Tree

50 –

60 ft

20 –

30 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Larval Host, Seeds

Green, White

Medium, High

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

Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Narrowleaf Puccoon

Lithospermum incisum

Herbaceous

0.5 –

1.35 ft

.5 –

1.25 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Larval Host, Nectar

Yellow

Low, Medium

Dry, Loam, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Butterflies, Beetles, Grasshoppers, Moths

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Herbaceous, Wetland

2 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Red

Medium, High

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Moist, Rich, Sand

Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Downy Lobelia

Lobelia puberula

Herbaceous

3 –

4 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, White

Medium

Moist, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

White Honeysuckle

Lonicera albiflora

Vine

4 –

10 ft

10 –

12 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Forage, Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

White

Low, Medium

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

Bees, Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Deer, Hummingbirds

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Vine

3 –

20 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Red, Yellow

Medium

Caliche, Clay, Rich, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Nectar Insects

Mexican Primrose Willow

Ludwigia octovalvis

Subshrub, Wetland

3 –

6 ft

3 –

6 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Medium, High

Moist, Mud

Butterflies, Moths

Floating Primrose-willow

Ludwigia peploides

Herbaceous, Wetland

.10 –

.25 ft

5 –

10 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Seeds

Yellow

High

Loam, Moist, Mud, Poor Drainage, Rich

Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Butterflies

Big Bend Bluebonnet

Lupinus havardii

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple

Low

Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Bees, Browsers, Butterflies, Deer, Nectar Insects

Sandy Bluebonnet

Lupinus subcarnosus

Herbaceous

.5 –

1.5 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Pollen

Blue, Purple

Low, Medium

Deep, Dry, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Bees

Texas Bluebonnet

Lupinus texensis

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Blue

Low

Clay, Dry, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Berlandier’s Wolfberry

Lycium berlandieri

Shrub

2 –

8 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Forage, Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

Blue, Purple, White

Low

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

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

Carolina Wolfberry

Lycium carolinianum

Shrub

4 –

6 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Forage, Fruit, Nectar

Purple

High

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

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

Texas Skeleton Plant

Lygodesmia texana

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar

Pink, Purple

Low

Calcareous, Dry, Rocky, Sand

Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Winged Loosestrife

Lythrum alatum

Subshrub

2 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Pink, Purple

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Poor Drainage, Sand

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

California Loosestrife

Lythrum californicum

Herbaceous

1 –

5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Purple

Medium, High

Moist

Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Moths, Nectar Insects

Tahoka Daisy

Machaeranthera tanacetifolia

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Blue, Purple, Violet

Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Osage Orange

Maclura pomifera

Tree

20 –

40 ft

20 –

40 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fall Color, Fruit

Green

Medium

Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Well Drained

Birds, Small Mammals

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Tree

50 –

110 ft

25 –

30 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Seeds

White

Low

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

Birds, Small Mammals

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Tree

10 –

20 ft

10 –

15 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

White

Medium

Clay, Loam, Moist, Poor Drainage, Sand

Birds, Butterflies, Beetles, Moths

Barbados Cherry

Malpighia glabra

Shrub

3 –

6 ft

3 –

6 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Flowers, Forage, Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar

Pink

Medium

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

Birds, Browsers, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Blanco Crabapple

Malus ioensis

Tree

15 –

20 ft

15 –

20 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

Pink, White

Medium

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

Bees, Birds, Small Mammals

Threelobe False Mallow

Malvastrum coromandelianum

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Yellow

Very Low, Low

Clay, Loam, Sand, Shallow, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Turk’s Cap

Malvaviscus arboreus

Shrub

2 –

6 ft

3 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Red

Low, Medium

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

Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Small Mammals

Longflower Tuberose

Manfreda longiflora

Cactus & Succulent

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Evergreen

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Pink, Red, White

Low, Medium

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

False Aloe

Manfreda maculosa

Cactus & Succulent

.5 –

1 ft

4 –

6 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Larval Host, Nectar

Pink, White

Low, Medium

Clay, Dry, Sand, Well Drained

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Nectar Insects

Barbara’s Buttons

Marshallia caespitosa

Herbaceous

0.75 –

1.5 ft

1 –

5 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Pink, White

Low

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

Bees, Butterflies, Beetles, Small Mammals

Bigfoot Water Clover

Marsilea macropoda

Ferns & Allies, Wetland

.25 –

1 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Flowers, Forage

No Bloom

Medium, High

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

Birds, Small Mammals

[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