Native plants are the perfect choice for Houston-area gardens. They are naturally water-wise, already adapted to our climate and soils, and need little attention once established. These plants provide food and shelter for pollinators and wildlife, while standing up to our hot summers, heavy rains, and even the occasional freeze — all while adding color, texture, and beauty to your yard.

Below you’ll find a curated list of native plants that are widely available in Houston-area nurseries. These are tried-and-true selections that homeowners can feel confident planting, knowing they’ll thrive with minimal care.

Ilex decidua
🌸 Winter berries (no showy flowers)
🐝 Provides food for birds in winter
💧 Water-wise, low–medium water needs
☀️ Sun–Part Shade

Ilex vomitoria
🌸 Evergreen with bright red berries in winter
🐝 Birds and wildlife love berries
💧 Water-wise, low–medium water needs
☀️ Sun–Part Shade

Vitex agnus-castus
🌸 Summer–Fall blooms – upright spikes of purple flowers
🐝 Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators
💧 Water-wise, drought tolerant once established
☀️ Full Sun

Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’
🌸 Evergreen shrub with dense, compact form
🐝 Birds eat the small red berries (female plants)
💧 Very water-wise, drought tolerant once established
☀️ Full Sun–Part Shade

Callicarpa americana
🌸 Clusters of purple berries in fall
🐝 Birds and wildlife eat the berries
💧 Water-wise, medium water needs
☀️ Part Shade–Sun

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
🌸 Red hibiscus-like flowers spring through fall
🐝 Hummingbird and butterfly favorite
💧 Water-wise, very drought tolerant
☀️ Tolerates full sun to deep shade

Asclepias tuberosa
🌸 Summer blooms – orange flowers
🐝 Monarch host plant, attracts pollinators
💧 Water-wise, drought tolerant once established
☀️ Full Sun

Coreopsis tinctoria
🌸 Spring–Summer blooms – yellow with red centers
🐝 Pollinator favorite, reseeds easily
💧 Water-wise, low water once established
☀️ Full Sun

Echinacea purpurea
🌸 Summer blooms – purple-pink daisy-like flowers
🐝 Pollinator favorite, attracts butterflies & bees
💧 Water-wise, drought tolerant once established
☀️ Full Sun

Gaillardia pulchella
🌸 Spring–Fall blooms – red and yellow flowers
🐝 Pollinator favorite, reseeds freely
💧 Water-wise, low water needs
☀️ Full Sun

Oenothera speciosa
🌸 Spring blooms – soft pink flowers
🐝 Attracts pollinators, spreads as groundcover
💧 Water-wise, low water once established
☀️ Full Sun–Part Shade

Liatris spicata
🌸 Summer–Fall blooms – tall purple flower spikes
🐝 Pollinator magnet, attracts butterflies
💧 Water-wise, drought tolerant once established
☀️ Full Sun

Rudbeckia hirta
🌸 Summer blooms – bright yellow flowers
🐝 Pollinator favorite, seeds feed birds
💧 Water-wise, low water needs
☀️ Full Sun

Salvia coccinea
🌸 Spring–Fall blooms – red flowers
🐝 Hummingbirds and butterflies
💧 Water-wise, low water needs
☀️ Sun–Part Shade

Salvia greggii
🌸 Spring–Fall blooms – red or pink flowers
🐝 Hummingbirds and pollinators
💧 Very water-wise, very drought tolerant
☀️ Full Sun

Muhlenbergia capillaris
🌸 Fall blooms – pink-purple cloud-like plumes
🐝 Provides cover and habitat for wildlife
💧 Very water-wise, extremely drought tolerant
☀️ Full Sun

Panicum virgatum
🌸 Summer–Fall – airy flower spikes
🐝 Birds eat seeds, provides cover
💧 Water-wise, low water needs
☀️ Full Sun

Schizachyrium scoparium
🌸 Summer–Fall – copper-orange foliage
🐝 Birds eat seeds, provides cover
💧 Very water-wise, very drought tolerant
☀️ Full Sun

Dichondra argentea
🌸 Silvery foliage year-round
🐝 Low wildlife value, but excellent groundcover
💧 Very water-wise, extremely drought tolerant
☀️ Full Sun–Part Shade

Phyla nodiflora
🌸 Tiny white-purple blooms spring–fall
🐝 Pollinator-friendly groundcover, butterfly host plant
💧 Very water-wise, drought tolerant once established
☀️ Sun–Part Shade

Chasmanthium latifolium
🌸 Decorative seed heads in summer and fall
🐝 Seeds feed birds, provides cover
💧 Water-wise, tolerates moist soils too
☀️ Part Shade–Shade