Lawn by Season

New Mexico Native Plants by Layer

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54 native species are verified for New Mexico across the three planting layers, and this page ranks them by the wildlife they support. New Mexico sits in the North American Deserts ecoregion, so every count below is the figure published for North American Deserts rather than a national average. The idea is not to remove your lawn. It is that a canopy tree, a shrub layer along a border and a flowering ground layer do the ecological work a garden can actually do, while the turf stays turf.

Canopy for New Mexico

The tree layer. This is where most of the caterpillars that birds feed their nestlings are produced, which is why a single tree choice outweighs everything else in the yard.

31 verified canopy options for New Mexico. Arizona white oak leads on published wildlife value.

Arizona White Oak

Quercus arizonica
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus arizonica alone.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Canyon Live Oak

Quercus chrysolepis
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus chrysolepis alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 90.0 ft, blooms late spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Gambel Oak

Quercus gambelii
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus gambelii alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 40.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Gray Oak

Quercus grisea
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus grisea alone.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus macrocarpa alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Sonoran Scrub Oak

Quercus turbinella
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus turbinella alone.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

American Plum

Prunus americana
  • The genus Prunus hosts 200 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus americana alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 24.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: None.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Bitter Cherry

Prunus emarginata
  • The genus Prunus hosts 200 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus emarginata alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

23 further verified canopy species for New Mexico are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

Understory for New Mexico

Shrubs and small trees beneath the canopy. This layer carries the shoulder-season fruit and cover, and it is the easiest layer to add along an existing fence line or bed edge.

8 verified understory options for New Mexico. peachleaf willow leads on published wildlife value.

Peachleaf Willow

Salix amygdaloides
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix amygdaloides alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 60.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Narrowleaf Willow

Salix exigua
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix exigua alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Goodding'S Willow

Salix gooddingii
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix gooddingii alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 40.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Sandbar Willow

Salix interior
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix interior alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, mature height 30.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Arroyo Willow

Salix lasiolepis
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix lasiolepis alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 35.0 ft, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: None.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Black Willow

Salix nigra
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix nigra alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Scouler'S Willow

Salix scouleriana
  • The genus Salix hosts 240 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix scouleriana alone.
  • 19 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 50.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Deerbrush

Ceanothus integerrimus

No published wildlife figure applies to this genus in this state's ecoregion sheet, so none is shown.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 13.0 ft, blooms late spring, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Ground layer for New Mexico

Flowering perennials at ground level. This is the layer that keeps pollen and nectar available from spring through fall, and it is what specialist bees depend on.

15 verified ground layer options for New Mexico. western sunflower leads on published wildlife value.

Western Sunflower

Helianthus anomalus
  • The genus Helianthus hosts 52 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Helianthus anomalus alone.
  • 84 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Helianthus. Genus-level figure.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Nuttall'S Sunflower

Helianthus nuttallii
  • The genus Helianthus hosts 52 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Helianthus nuttallii alone.
  • 84 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Helianthus. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms mid summer, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Stiff Sunflower

Helianthus pauciflorus
  • The genus Helianthus hosts 52 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Helianthus pauciflorus alone.
  • 84 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Helianthus. Genus-level figure.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Prairie Sunflower

Helianthus petiolaris
  • The genus Helianthus hosts 52 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Helianthus petiolaris alone.
  • 84 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Helianthus. Genus-level figure.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago altissima
  • The genus Solidago hosts 51 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago altissima alone.
  • 46 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 5.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis
  • The genus Solidago hosts 51 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago canadensis alone.
  • 46 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 3.5 ft, blooms late summer, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Giant Goldenrod

Solidago gigantea
  • The genus Solidago hosts 51 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago gigantea alone.
  • 46 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 8.2 ft, blooms indeterminate, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Missouri Goldenrod

Solidago missouriensis
  • The genus Solidago hosts 51 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago missouriensis alone.
  • 46 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use low, mature height 3.0 ft, blooms late summer, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

7 further verified ground layer species for New Mexico are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

New Mexico natives for a watering restriction

24 of the 54 verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium. That matters in New Mexico because a drought tolerant native border is the constructive answer to a watering restriction: once established it holds up on local rainfall, while a cool season lawn browns out and stays brown. If restrictions are in force where you are, the New Mexico water restrictions tracker has the current stage, and the New Mexico xeriscape guide covers the wider low water approach for the parts of the yard you are converting.

Canyon Live Oak

Quercus chrysolepis
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus chrysolepis alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 90.0 ft, blooms late spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa
  • The genus Quercus hosts 208 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus macrocarpa alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Bitter Cherry

Prunus emarginata
  • The genus Prunus hosts 200 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus emarginata alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina
  • The genus Prunus hosts 200 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus serotina alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in New Mexico.

How to read these numbers

Every caterpillar and specialist bee figure on this page is published by plant genus, not by species. When the page says the genus Quercus hosts a given number of caterpillar species, that is the claim the research supports; attaching the same number to one particular oak would not be. The counts come from the National Wildlife Federation keystone plant sheets, which draw on Dr Doug Tallamy's work at the University of Delaware for Lepidoptera and Jarrod Fowler's work for specialist bees. Nativity, distribution and every growing condition come from the USDA PLANTS Database. Where USDA publishes no value, this page shows none rather than an estimate. The full sourcing, the selection criteria, and the honest case against treating yard scale planting as restoration are all on the methodology page.

For the lawn itself, seasonal timing and grass selection for this state are in the New Mexico lawn care guide, and if you are converting an area rather than edging it, the lawn alternatives guide covers ground layer substitutes in more depth.

Common questions

What should I plant first in New Mexico?

The canopy layer. Arizona white oak is the highest value verified option, because the genus Quercus carries 208 caterpillar species in the North American Deserts keystone list. That is a genus level figure. One tree does more ecological work than any other single choice in a yard.

How many native plants are verified for New Mexico?

54 species across the three layers: 31 canopy, 8 understory and 15 ground layer. Each is recorded in New Mexico by the USDA PLANTS Database and classified native to this region. Anything USDA flags as introduced here is excluded.

Which New Mexico natives handle a watering ban?

24 of the verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium, including canyon live oak, bur oak, bitter cherry. Where USDA publishes no drought value for a species, none is shown rather than an estimate.

Do I need to remove my New Mexico lawn to plant natives?

No. The edges, borders and tree layer carry nearly all of the ecological value available to an ordinary yard, and none of that requires changing how the turf itself is used. Adding one canopy tree and one planted border is the realistic version of this for most homeowners.

Sources: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database for nativity, distribution and growing characteristics, read 2026-08-18. National Wildlife Federation Keystone Native Plants for genus level caterpillar and specialist bee counts.