Lawn by Season

Texas Native Plants by Layer

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71 native species are verified for Texas across the three planting layers, and this page ranks them by the wildlife they support. Texas sits in the Great Plains ecoregion, so every count below is the figure published for Great Plains 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 Texas

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.

40 verified canopy options for Texas. white oak leads on published wildlife value.

White Oak

Quercus alba
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus alba alone.

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

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

Arizona White Oak

Quercus arizonica
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 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 Texas.

Gambel Oak

Quercus gambelii
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 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 Texas.

Gray Oak

Quercus grisea
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 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 Texas.

Darlington Oak

Quercus hemisphaerica
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus hemisphaerica alone.

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

Laurel Oak

Quercus laurifolia
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus laurifolia alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 70.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

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

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 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 Texas.

Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus marilandica alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

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

32 further verified canopy species for Texas are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

Understory for Texas

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.

15 verified understory options for Texas. peachleaf willow leads on published wildlife value.

Peachleaf Willow

Salix amygdaloides
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix amygdaloides alone.
  • 20 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 Texas.

Coastal Plain Willow

Salix caroliniana
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix caroliniana alone.
  • 20 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 33.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

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

Narrowleaf Willow

Salix exigua
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix exigua alone.
  • 20 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 Texas.

Goodding'S Willow

Salix gooddingii
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix gooddingii alone.
  • 20 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 Texas.

Prairie Willow

Salix humilis
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix humilis alone.
  • 20 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 spring, rapid growth.

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

Sandbar Willow

Salix interior
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix interior alone.
  • 20 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 Texas.

Arroyo Willow

Salix lasiolepis
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix lasiolepis alone.
  • 20 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 Texas.

Black Willow

Salix nigra
  • The genus Salix hosts 214 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix nigra alone.
  • 20 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 Texas.

7 further verified understory species for Texas are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

Ground layer for Texas

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.

16 verified ground layer options for Texas. Canada goldenrod leads on published wildlife value.

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago altissima
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago altissima alone.
  • 56 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 Texas.

Atlantic Goldenrod

Solidago arguta
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago arguta alone.
  • 56 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

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

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago canadensis alone.
  • 56 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 Texas.

Giant Goldenrod

Solidago gigantea
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago gigantea alone.
  • 56 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 Texas.

Missouri Goldenrod

Solidago missouriensis
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago missouriensis alone.
  • 56 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 Texas.

Gray Goldenrod

Solidago nemoralis
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago nemoralis alone.
  • 56 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 2.0 ft, blooms summer, rapid growth.

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

Anisescented Goldenrod

Solidago odora
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago odora alone.
  • 56 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

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

Twistleaf Goldenrod

Solidago tortifolia
  • The genus Solidago hosts 71 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago tortifolia alone.
  • 56 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

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

8 further verified ground layer species for Texas are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

Texas natives for a watering restriction

31 of the 71 verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium. That matters in Texas 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 Texas water restrictions tracker has the current stage, and the Texas xeriscape guide covers the wider low water approach for the parts of the yard you are converting.

White Oak

Quercus alba
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus alba alone.

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

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

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 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 Texas.

Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus marilandica alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

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

Post Oak

Quercus stellata
  • The genus Quercus hosts 253 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus stellata alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 60.0 ft, blooms early spring, slow growth.

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

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 Texas 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 Texas?

The canopy layer. white oak is the highest value verified option, because the genus Quercus carries 253 caterpillar species in the Great Plains 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 Texas?

71 species across the three layers: 40 canopy, 15 understory and 16 ground layer. Each is recorded in Texas by the USDA PLANTS Database and classified native to this region. Anything USDA flags as introduced here is excluded.

Which Texas natives handle a watering ban?

31 of the verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium, including white oak, bur oak, blackjack oak. Where USDA publishes no drought value for a species, none is shown rather than an estimate.

Do I need to remove my Texas 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.