20 Best Plants To Grow In Texas

Growing Conditions: loves full sunlight, Hardiness zone: 7B through 11

Special Characteristics: Drought and heat-tolerant, can be grown in desert areas to control erosion

The Dessert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a member of the trumpet vine family. The plant has showy clusters of flowers at the tips of its branches. These long-lasting blooms can be found in shades of pink, lavender, or white. Traditionally, the parts of these flowers were used in making teas.

This shrub is extremely drought and heat-tolerant. So, if your region has an arid climate, this plant might make a good choice for you. A low-maintenance plant that can grow rapidly with a spread of up to 25 feet, makes it a perfect contender as a cover plant. Propagating by seeds is the most common method to have these plants in your garden.

Growing Conditions: needs bright daylight, Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11

Special Characteristics: holiday plant, dies in freezing temperatures

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular plants known for their colorful bracts. You may confuse the bracts with the petals of flowers. The colors the bract comes in are multiple including red, white, pink, and combinations like pink and white, or green and white. Except these, unusual colors are also possible.

Poinsettias are often associated with the holiday season, as they change color in response to the shorter days of winter. This period directly signals the arrival of festivals like Christmas. The plant has small, yellow flowers, which are less noticeable compared to its striking bracts. The plant can be commercially found in almost any nursery.

Growing Conditions: requires a shady location, Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Special Characteristics: perennial, easy to grow

The Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) is a winter-blooming perennial that has cup-shaped, nodding flowers that come in colors like white, pink, or light rose. These flowers grow on tips of stems that rise above the foliage.

This plant is easy to grow. It thrives well in shaded and partially shaded areas but is intolerant of bright, direct sunlight. To propagate, clumps or seeds are often used. 

For optimal growth, it’s recommended to cut back the flower stems after blooming has finished, encouraging new growth in the spring. This plant is perfect for adding color during the winter months.

Growing Conditions: needs full sun, Hardiness zone: 8b to 13

Special Characteristics: low maintenance, good for erosion control

Black Dalea (Dalea frutescens) is a low-growing shrub that resembles lavender. It features small, purple flowers grouped in dense heads or spikes, creating a striking display during the blooming season. The plant also has feathery foliage that complements its blooms.

Black Dalea thrives in xeric gardens, as it is highly drought-tolerant and performs well in areas with high heat. Its low stature makes it an ideal groundcover, especially in regions with high heat. The plant is easily propagated from seeds, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes that require minimal water and attention.

Growing Conditions: full sun, Hardiness zone: 4 to 9 (depends on varieties)

Special Characteristics: drought and salt-tolerant

The Bottlebrush (Callistemon) is an evergreen plant having vibrant, brush-like flowers that resemble bottle-cleaning brushes. These flowers are arranged in red spikes and are best to attract pollinators.

As a tree, the Bottlebrush can grow tall, however, it can also be trained as an espalier. Doing this is usually helpful if you only have smaller spaces to grow bottle brushes. For propagation of these hardy plants, you can use seeds or cuttings.

Growing Conditions: full or partial sun, Hardiness zone: 10 to 13

Special Characteristics: drought tolerant

The Fragrant Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) is a Texas-native deciduous shrub. The plant has a sprawling nature and large growth habit, it can spread up to 6 feet area. The best part about it is aromatic, pink-colored flowers that appear in attractive clusters. The plant body also has small thorns. 

Fragrant Mimosa is especially beneficial for attracting pollinators, both due to the color of the blooms and the fragrance. You might think of it has a suitable plant option if you have a large garden area. And, to control its size, you can prune them once in a while.

Growing Conditions: thrives in full sun, Hardiness zone: 6 to 10

Special Characteristics: heat and dryness tolerant

The Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea) is also known by the name of Desert Mallow or Apricot Mallow. This shrubby perennial plant is native to dry, hot regions and thrives in areas with low water. 

The plant features hairy leaves that help it conserve moisture. The flowers however are bright and vibrant and come mostly in shades of orange or apricot. 

Globe Mallow grows well when conditions are right, and can perfectly cover gardens and landscapes with a splash of color throughout the growing season. However, it requires care during the winter months, especially in colder climates, to protect it from frost. As it gets the proper care, this hardy plant can thrive year after year, adding beauty to drought-tolerant landscapes.

Growing Conditions: grows well in shady as well as sunny areas, Hardiness zone: 7 to 11

Special Characteristics: grows well in poorly drained soil, late bloomers

The White Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is a perennial shrub that gets covered by fragrant, fuzzy white blooms. The special feature of the bloom is that they appear late in the season, typically from fall through early winter. The fragrant blooms attract a wide range of birds and pollinators and serve as a food source in the late season.

White Mistflower needs special care during the winter and should be completely sheared to obtain proper blooms in the next season. This particular maintenance should be given enough consideration because, in the following season, blooms won't appear unless and until it's new wood. With proper winter care, this plant will continue to provide vibrant flowers and attract pollinators year after year.

Growing Conditions: partial shade, Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8 

Special Characteristics: cold tolerant

The Texas Mock Orange (Philadelphus texensis) is a deciduous, perennial shrub that can thrive well in regions with cold winters. It produces showy white blooms with sweet fragrance, from April to June. These fragrant flowers are one of the plant's most attractive features, making it a popular choice for ornamental purposes.

The Texas Mock Orange grows best in low water conditions. This shrub is ideal for creating attractive hedges, borders, or standalone focal points. Its hardy nature is what makes it loved among Texas gardeners.

Growing Conditions: light to moderate shade, Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Special Characteristics: needs moist areas for growth, difficult to grow from seeds

Astilbe is a perennial that comes with beautiful, feathery, fern-like leaves and striking flower plumes. Most varieties of the plant bloom in spring, but in the case of some varieties, they flower well into the fall. 

The flower clusters are arranged lengthwise and vary in size, up to 2 feet. The variety of colors they come in, including pink, red, purple, or white is what makes them an excellent choice for adding color and texture to dull or shaded garden sites.

Astilbe thrives in moist soil, however, poorly drained soil and waterlogging can hinder its growth. You can buy these plants at most nurseries, and for spreading, also can rely on the division process.

Growing Conditions: full sun or partial shade, Hardiness Zone: 8 to 10

Special Characteristics: a wild plant of Texas, needs minimal care

Texas Sage is also known as Purple Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens). This woody shrub is valued for its colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, lavender, or white. As it is a low-maintenance plant, requiring no fertilization and care, it can be best for those who don't have much time for gardening.

Texas sage has various types, based on different foliage and flower colors and growth habits. The only care it needs is pruning in late winter so that it grows healthily the next season. This versatile plant can be propagated through cuttings, so you can easily spread them.

You can also grow Texas Sage in containers, so, if you are looking for a plant to grow in your patios or small garden spaces, this can be the one you should be looking for.

Growing Conditions: grows well in partial shade, Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9

Special Characteristics: requires acidic soil for growth, low-maintenance

Camellia is a beautiful flowering shrub. These perennials bloom late, during fall and late winter. The petals of this flower are arranged in layers just like that of a rose. The flowers also have a certain kind of fragrance and as the winter arrives, they go dormant.

These low-maintenance plants have well-known species Camellia sinensis, Camellia japonica, and Camellia sasanqua. Different varieties bloom in different colors like red, pink, white, and even yellow.

Growing Conditions: grows best in sun, Hardiness zone: 9 to 11

Special Characteristics: susceptible to freeze damage, evergreen shrub

Thryallis, also known as Galphimia gracilis or "Rain-of-Gold," is a low-maintenance shrub. Its bright yellow flowers bloom in clusters and provide a stunning display. The blooming season is generally during the summer and fall.

Thryallis is versatile and can be easily trained into a small tree, hedge, or maintained as a shrub. Its adaptability as well as low-maintenance feature makes it a loved species among gardeners. The cheerful yellow flowers and dense growth habit also make Thryallis an attractive addition to borders, containers, or as a standalone feature in gardens.

Growing Conditions: shade or partially shade, Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10

Special Characteristics: Drought tolerant

Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a low-maintenance, flowering shrub that has unique, red, tubular blooms resembling a turban. They are best grown in shady regions, which is perfect for their growth habit. What's unique about these hibiscus-like flowered plants is that they never open.

Turk's Cap is perennial and can grow up to 10 feet, both in height and width. The flowers bloom in red or white color.

Growing Conditions: full sun or partial shade, Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Special Characteristics: slightly acidic soil is best for growth, needs deadheading, disappears in winter in cold areas but reappears in the next growing season

Bee balm is a plant that is hugely attractive to pollinators. They are originally from woodland areas and can grow in areas with both full sun and partial shade. The daisy-like flowers of this plant can be found in various shades such as red, pink, purple, and white.

These pants are said to be best for hummingbird gardens as the nectar serves as food for them. You can find both tall and dwarf varieties of bee balm, making it suitable for containers as well. For taller varieties, support with trellises is a must.

Growing Conditions: grows in full sun or partial shade, Hardiness zone: 3 to 9

Special Characteristics: one of the first plants to provide nectar in the spring, blue-green foliage

Red Columbine is a beautiful flower native to woodland and rocky slopes It is a perennial plant that belongs to the buttercup family.

Red Columbine has unique flowers; drooping ones that are generally red and yellow in color. The flowers bloom approximately for a month. This plant's nectars serve as food for birds and pollinators. The plant grows anywhere up to 3 feet in height and 1.5 feet in width.

The plant can be grown using roots as well as potted plants from the nursery. They thrive in regions having partial shade.

Growing Conditions: grows best in full sun, Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Special Characteristics: aromatic aster that blooms in fall

Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) is a Texas native plant having small size, typically growing around 1 foot tall. Their small size and ability to bloom until fall make them an ideal addition to garden beds.

The plant produces daisy-like flowers with violet-blue rays and a yellow center disk, and can successfully attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. You can plant them in both native plant gardens or woodland gardens.

Growing Conditions: sun as well as partial shade, Hardiness zone: 5 to 9

Special Characteristics: drought resistant

Plumbago is one of the best deciduous summer plants in Texas. They are known to bloom continuously from spring to winter and during the cold season, can be protected by mulching.

The soft blue flowered plumbago is quite popular, however, you can also commonly find white-blooming ones. If you have an area that perfectly complements these colors of plumbago or the ones that are wide enough to maintain this wide-growing plant, it can grow up to six feet wide, then you should definitely take these plants into consideration.

Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade, Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Special Characteristics: spreading plant, drought-tolerant

Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata) is a perennial plant native to Texas. It produces showy magenta-colored flowers that bloom from spring to summer.

It is a low-maintenance plant, with low requirements of regular fertilizing. It will grow best in less moisture conditions and needs to be deadheaded after the blooming season comes to an end.

Growing Conditions: grows best in full sun, Hardiness Zone: 8

Special Characteristics: fast-growing, can grow both in alkaline and acidic soil

Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa) is a graceful, evergreen grass. This Texas native as per the name has a bamboo-like appearance; it has slender, arching stems that form a dense, bushy clump. In windy situations, the thin foliage sways elegantly. 

This low-maintenance ornamental grass can reach 4 to 6 feet in height. It's best to plant them as natural privacy screens, or hedges, or in garden beds.