15 Stunning Native Texas Plants Accustomed to the Harsh Climate and Soil

Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)

Also known as the Texas lupin, this native flower shares the official “state flower of Texas” designation with five other species of lupin. The bluebonnet is distinguishable by its larger, more sharply pointed leaves and higher number of flower heads than other lupin varieties, however. The tips of the clusters that make up the blossoms remain white while the blue flowers (up to 50 of them) dot the outside.

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia)

These plants are known for their yellow, red, or purple flowers that complement flat, fleshy pads that look similar to large leaves. Just like other types of cactus, prickly pears also have large spines, though they are often smaller, thinner, and barbed. Both the pad-like branches and the fruits are edible, the latter being used for products like juice and puree.

The prickly pear cactus became the state plant of Texas in 1995.

Chile Pequin (Capsicum annuum)

The state pepper of Texas, this relative to the jalapeno is extremely spicy and relatively easy to grow. They are drought resistant and produce the most fruit in full sun, though they also tolerate partial shade.

Chile pequin plants are both annuals and perennials that bloom white flowers from May to October before bursting with small red peppers in the fall.

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)

Native to the south of Texas, sideoats grama is a perennial bunchgrass that can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. The plants produce small seeds that birds love from May to October and purple spikelets that turn into a tan color by the fall.

These plants are known as the state grass of Texas, and are hardy enough to increase rapidly in sites that have been damaged due to drought or overgrazing. 

Texas Purple Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)

An evergreen shrub that can grow as high as 6 feet, Texas sage is native to the northern parts of the state. Its soft leaves are covered in fine hairs, which complement their almost bell-shaped flowers of bright pink and lavender that appear from spring to fall.

These plants are both drought and heat tolerant, while flowering is periodic and often limited to a few days at a time

Pecan Tree (Carya illinoinensis)

The pecan tree is native to about 150 counties in Texas, helping it earn its designation as the official state tree of Texas.

These trees are planted both for aesthetics and for their nuts, which they begin to produce within 6 to 10 years of planting, as well as their ability to provide shade in the hot, southern summers. Pecan trees are best grown on large properties, since their leaves are quite large and mature trees stand at 150 feet with spreading canopies.

Esperanza (Tecoma stans)

Also known as yellow bells or yellow trumpet flowers, esperanza plants are native to rocky slopes near San Antonio and south Texas.

These stunning flowers are tube-shaped and brightly colored, making them a favorite for pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies, while their heat tolerance is very high once the plant has been established. The yellow, orange, and red flowers begin to bloom in spring and continue through summer despite the heat.

Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)

This small woody shrub is commonly found all over Texas in shallow soil and in rocky areas with woodlands and thickets. Flowers appear from spring to fall and are dusty pink with a bright yellow column in the middle formed by the pistil and stamens, almost like a hibiscus.

These flowers are important as they attract hummingbirds and are extremely drought and cold tolerant, making them a perfect addition to Texas landscaping.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

These evergreen trees grow to about 50 feet tall with dark green foliage and peeling bark. Eastern red cedars are found throughout East Texas, hence the name, and are extremely drought tolerant.

Due to their thick foliage and dense shapes, the trees and shrubs are popular to use as windbreaks or privacy screening for Texas properties. 

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susans get their name from the dark-colored center of their flowers that provide a striking contrast to their bright yellow, daisy-like petals. They are very easy to grow in North Texas and tolerate the heat well. As perennials, they bloom from summer to fall and can spread about 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall on average.

Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)

A unique-looking plant that is both drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly, the red yucca plant produces tall spikes of flowers that range from red to pink throughout the Texas summer.

While not technically a yucca, these plants are rather known as a “false yucca,” due to their yucca-like evergreen leaves that rise like a stalk from the plant’s woody base.

Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)

Part of the pea family, the Texas mountain laurel is native from Central Texas to Mexico. They are typically grown as evergreen shrubs but are also popular as ornamental trees with dense, dark green leaves and showy purple flowers that bloom in the spring.

Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)

Native to Western Texas, the desert willow is a fast-growing, small deciduous tree with long narrow leaves that resemble willow leaves (though they are not related).

Their dainty, pinkish-purple flowers bloom heaviest from May to June and are replaced by slender seed pods in the fall. They grow anywhere from 15 to 40 feet tall and like to dry out between waterings.  

Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata)

Agarita, or wild Texas current, grows up to 8 feet in the right conditions as an evergreen shrub, though it is usually closer to 3 to 6 feet on average.

It has sharp leaves, similar to holly plants, and bright yellow wood with numerous, yellow flowers. An early blooming plant, its flowers appear from February to March and are replaced by berries in the summer.

Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)

These wide-spreading shrubs boast brightly colored flowers that grow in a rounded cluster from April to October. The blooms range from red to orange and yellow, while the plant itself is both deer-proof and attractive to butterflies.

Texas lantana demands very little water and grows as tall as 6 feet high.