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Native Plant Society of Texas
Stems of native grass against a blue sky

Native Plants

Helping you find native plants that thrive in your landscape

Field of yellow flowers with mountains and blue sky in the background.

What is a native plant?

Native plant means plants that were growing naturally here before European colonization. This is the tacit definition many botanists and native-plant enthusiasts seem to use.

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Why are native plants important?

  • Drought-tolerant, naturally conserving our precious water resources
  • Provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife
  • Don’t need special pampering or fertilizing
  • Natural to their eco-system
  • Help us maintain biological biodiversity
Find Resources

Whats the Rush (Short Version) from Homegrown National Park on Vimeo.

What's the rush?

Doug Tallamy presents the science-based solution to the biodiversity crisis and explains why it’s so urgent.

Learn More at Homegrown National Park

What is an ecoregion?

According to the USDA, “Ecoregions are areas where ecosystems (and the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources) are generally similar.”

Ecoregions are identified by analyzing the patterns and composition of biotic and abiotic phenomena that affect or reflect differences in ecosystem quality and integrity (Omernik 1987, 1995). These phenomena include the following:

  • geology
  • landforms
  • soils
  • vegetation
  • climate
  • land use
  • wildlife
  • hydrology
Interactive Ecoregion Map

What native plants are good for my area?

Find plants that are a good fit for your landscape based on sun/shade, soil type, bloom preference, and more.

Search Native Plants
Native trees at Green Tree Diversity in Bertram

Where can I find native plants?

NICE! Native Plant Partners is a program where Native Plant Society chapters work with local nurseries to promote the availability of native plants.

Find a Nursery

Where can I see examples?

Chapter volunteers plant beds of native plants called “Chapter Demonstration Gardens.” Find native plants near you at demo gardens, parks and trails.

Visit Demo Gardens

What is wildscaping?

Wildscaping is a way of designing your home’s landscape to attract and benefit wildlife, especially birds and butterflies, by providing the required food, water, and shelter. 

Wildscaping Resources

Where can I learn more?

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) is a series of day-long classes that teach best practices for native plant landscaping – including wildlife habitat gardening. Each class consists of an indoor training session and an outdoor plant identification section. We show you plants native to the local ecoregion, illustrating their use in the landscape.

Learn about NLCP Classes

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

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