Native plants · Texas

Native plants of Harris County

640 plant species are recorded as native to Texas in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Harris County by USDA PLANTS. 254 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 5 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.

County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP

Harris County, Texas

Native species
640 Typical Texas county: 145 (median of 254 counties)
Garden-ready natives
254 Typical Texas county: 61
Share by type (all 640 native species)
Percent of the 640 native species in each growth type
Tree 10% (65)
Shrub 2% (13)
Wildflower (forb) 51% (325)
Grass or grass-like 30% (191)
Vine 5% (34)
Fern 2% (12)

Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (51%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (30%).

Recorded native ranges can include long-established populations that spread from gardens; check your state’s native plant society list for local guidance. How native status is decided.

ZIP codes mainly in this county fall in USDA hardiness zones 9a to 9b (2023 map).

The native plant list

Cold hardiness is estimated from each plant’s PLANTS minimum temperature. How we estimate it.

Garden-ready natives 254

Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.

Garden-ready native plants of Harris County, Texas
PlantType HeightLight Water useHardy to
alkali sacaton Sporobolus airoides Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
American basswood Tilia americana Tree 100 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
American beautyberry Callicarpa americana Shrub 6 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 6b
American bur-reed Sparganium americanum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
American cupscale Sacciolepis striata Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Low Zone 5b
American elm Ulmus americana Tree 120 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 2b
American holly Ilex opaca Tree 40 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
American lotus Nelumbo lutea Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun High Zone 3b
American pokeweed Phytolacca americana Wildflower (forb) 7.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
American sycamore Platanus occidentalis Tree 100 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
American water horehound Lycopus americanus Wildflower (forb) 1.8 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3b
American witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana Tree 20 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
autumn bluegrass Poa autumnalis Grass or grass-like 1.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6b
bald cypress Taxodium distichum Tree 130 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5b
bearded beggarticks Bidens aristosa Wildflower (forb) 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12b
bedstraw St. Johnswort Hypericum galioides Shrub 2.5 ft Sun High Zone 7a
big bluestem Andropogon gerardii Grass or grass-like 6 ft Sun Low Zone 2b
big cordgrass Spartina cynosuroides Grass or grass-like 8 ft Sun High Zone 7a
bitter panicgrass Panicum amarum Grass or grass-like 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 5b
bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis Tree 75 ft Sun Medium Zone 2b
black cherry Prunus serotina Tree 80 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
black walnut Juglans nigra Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 4b
black willow Salix nigra Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 1b
blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Wildflower (forb) 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
blackgum Nyssa sylvatica Tree 95 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
blue mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
blunt spikerush Eleocharis obtusa Grass or grass-like 1.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 11a
boxelder Acer negundo Tree 60 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
broadleaf signalgrass Urochloa platyphylla Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 9a
broom snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Shrub 1.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 5b
brownseed paspalum Paspalum plicatulum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 8a
bulbous bittercress Cardamine bulbosa Wildflower (forb) 1.4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
bushy seaside tansy Borrichia frutescens Shrub 2.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 9a
butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
butterweed Packera glabella Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun High Zone 10b
calico aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
California bulrush Schoenoplectus californicus Grass or grass-like 6.6 ft Sun High Zone 9a
Canada germander Teucrium canadense Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3a
Canada goldenrod Solidago altissima Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 12b
cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis Wildflower (forb) 5.9 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
Carolina buckthorn Frangula caroliniana Tree 20 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 4b
Carolina desert-thorn Lycium carolinianum Shrub 9 ft Sun High Zone 9a
Carolina elephantsfoot Elephantopus carolinianus Wildflower (forb) 2.7 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
cat greenbrier Smilax glauca Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
cedar elm Ulmus crassifolia Tree 90 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6a
Chickasaw plum Prunus angustifolia Tree 12 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
climbing hempvine Mikania scandens Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
coast cockspur grass Echinochloa walteri Grass or grass-like 6.5 ft Sun High Zone 10b
common blue violet Viola sororia Wildflower (forb) 4 in Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Tree 15 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
common goldstar Hypoxis hirsuta Wildflower (forb) 10 in Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata Tree 25 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
common maidenhair Adiantum capillus-veneris Fern 1.7 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
common persimmon Diospyros virginiana Tree 55 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
common rush Juncus effusus Grass or grass-like 6.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
common sweetleaf Symplocos tinctoria Tree 20 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 5a
common threesquare Schoenoplectus pungens Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 3b
composite dropseed Sporobolus compositus Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
coon's tail Ceratophyllum demersum Wildflower (forb) — Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
cursed buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 12b
cylinder jointtail grass Coelorachis cylindrica Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 5a
cypress swamp sedge Carex joorii Grass or grass-like 4.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 7a
delta arrowhead Sagittaria platyphylla Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun High Zone 6a
devil's walkingstick Aralia spinosa Tree 20 ft Sun High Zone 4b
disk waterhyssop Bacopa rotundifolia Wildflower (forb) 1 in Sun High Zone 4a
ditch stonecrop Penthorum sedoides Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
dotted blazing star Liatris punctata Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
dotted smartweed Polygonum punctatum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
dwarf palmetto Sabal minor Tree 9 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5a
eastern baccharis Baccharis halimifolia Tree 10 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 7a
eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides Tree 190 ft Sun High Zone 3a
eastern gamagrass Tripsacum dactyloides Grass or grass-like 5 ft Sun High Zone 5a
eastern redbud Cercis canadensis Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana Tree 50 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3a
eastern woodland sedge Carex blanda Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4b
fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 3a
false indigo bush Amorpha fruticosa Shrub 15 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
farkleberry Vaccinium arboreum Tree 28 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
field paspalum Paspalum laeve Grass or grass-like 2.9 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6a
flowering dogwood Cornus florida Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
forked rush Juncus dichotomus Grass or grass-like 2.9 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 8b
fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
fragrant flatsedge Cyperus odoratus Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 11b
fringeleaf wild petunia Ruellia humilis Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
giant cane Arundinaria gigantea Shrub 25 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
giant cutgrass Zizaniopsis miliacea Grass or grass-like 9 ft Sun High Zone 8b
giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea Wildflower (forb) 8.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
golden tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12b
grassleaf rush Juncus marginatus Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5a
gray dogwood Cornus racemosa Shrub 10 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
graybark grape Vitis cinerea Vine 50 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6b
greater bladder sedge Carex intumescens Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
green hawthorn Crataegus viridis Tree 30 ft Sun High Zone 5a
green sprangletop Leptochloa dubia Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
groundnut Apios americana Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
gulf cordgrass Spartina spartinae Grass or grass-like 6.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 9a
Gulf Sebastian-bush Ditrysinia fruticosa Shrub 12 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5b
hairawn muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun High Zone 8a
hairy lespedeza Lespedeza hirta Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun Low Zone 6a
halberdleaf rosemallow Hibiscus laevis Wildflower (forb) 8 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 6a
haspan flatsedge Cyperus haspan Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 8a
hop sedge Carex lupulina Grass or grass-like 4.3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Tree 45 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 3b
Illinois bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 5b
Indian blanket Gaillardia pulchella Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
Indian woodoats Chasmanthium latifolium Grass or grass-like 4.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Grass or grass-like 6 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
inland rush Juncus interior Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
Jesuit's bark Iva frutescens Wildflower (forb) 9 ft Sun High Zone 7b
knotgrass Paspalum distichum Grass or grass-like 11 in Sun High Zone 6a
lanceleaf greenbrier Smilax smallii Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6b
lanceleaf tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 6b
late purple aster Symphyotrichum patens Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
laurel oak Quercus laurifolia Tree 70 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
lesser creeping rush Juncus repens Grass or grass-like 6.8 ft Sun High Zone 8b
limestone wild petunia Ruellia strepens Wildflower (forb) 3.6 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 6a
little barley Hordeum pusillum Grass or grass-like 1.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
loblolly pine Pinus taeda Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 6b
longleaf pondweed Potamogeton nodosus Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 3b
longleaf woodoats Chasmanthium sessiliflorum Grass or grass-like 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 7a
longspike tridens Tridens strictus Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 2a
longtom Paspalum denticulatum Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 8b
Malabar sprangletop Leptochloa fusca Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 3a
manyspike flatsedge Cyperus polystachyos Grass or grass-like 1.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 12a
marsh flatsedge Cyperus pseudovegetus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun High Zone 8a
Missouri goldenrod Solidago missouriensis Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3b
Missouri gourd Cucurbita foetidissima Vine 1 ft Sun Low Zone 5a
Missouri ironweed Vernonia missurica Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa Tree 85 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
muscadine Vitis rotundifolia Vine 30 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5b
narrowleaf blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 7a
narrowleaf silkgrass Pityopsis graminifolia Wildflower (forb) 2.8 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 7a
needleleaf rosette grass Dichanthelium aciculare Grass or grass-like 1.6 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 7b
nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
nodding lady's tresses Spiranthes cernua Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Sun High Zone 3b
northern catalpa Catalpa speciosa Tree 60 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
Osage-orange Maclura pomifera Tree 35 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
panicledleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 6a
parsley hawthorn Crataegus marshallii Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata Wildflower (forb) 2.4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
Pennsylvania smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum Wildflower (forb) 3.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
peppervine Nekemias arborea Vine 1 in Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
Philadelphia fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus Wildflower (forb) 2.8 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
pickerelweed Pontederia cordata Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun High Zone 5a
plains lovegrass Eragrostis intermedia Grass or grass-like 2.7 ft Sun Low Zone 5a
planertree Planera aquatica Tree 50 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
poorland flatsedge Cyperus compressus Grass or grass-like 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 11a
post oak Quercus stellata Tree 60 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
poverty rush Juncus tenuis Grass or grass-like 1.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
prairie blazing star Liatris pycnostachya Wildflower (forb) 3.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
prairie cordgrass Spartina pectinata Grass or grass-like 8 ft Sun High Zone 3b
prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
prairie wedgescale Sphenopholis obtusata Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis Grass or grass-like 11 in Sun Low Zone 3a
purple poppymallow Callirhoe involucrata Wildflower (forb) 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
purplehead sneezeweed Helenium flexuosum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
purpletop tridens Tridens flavus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun Low Zone 5a
ravenfoot sedge Carex crus-corvi Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
red maple Acer rubrum Tree 68 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 2b
red mulberry Morus rubra Tree 70 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
redbay Persea borbonia Tree 70 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
redroot flatsedge Cyperus erythrorhizos Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 11a
redtop panicgrass Panicum rigidulum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 4a
rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 4a
ridged yellow flax Linum striatum Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
roughfruit amaranth Amaranthus tuberculatus Wildflower (forb) 6.6 ft Sun High Zone 4a
roughleaf dogwood Cornus drummondii Tree 20 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 4b
roundhead rush Juncus validus Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 7a
salt heliotrope Heliotropium curassavicum Wildflower (forb) 1.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
saltgrass Distichlis spicata Grass or grass-like 1.1 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
saltmeadow cordgrass Spartina patens Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun High Zone 7a
sassafras Sassafras albidum Tree 75 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
saw greenbrier Smilax bona-nox Vine 4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
sawtooth blackberry Rubus argutus Shrub 8.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
seashore dropseed Sporobolus virginicus Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 9a
sharpwing monkeyflower Mimulus alatus Wildflower (forb) 2.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
shortbristle horned beaksedge Rhynchospora corniculata Grass or grass-like 6.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
Shumard's oak Quercus shumardii Tree 100 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
silver maple Acer saccharinum Tree 90 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 2b
slender little bluestem Schizachyrium tenerum Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 8b
slender woodoats Chasmanthium laxum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
small beggarticks Bidens discoidea Wildflower (forb) 5.2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12b
smallspike false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica Wildflower (forb) 3.9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun High Zone 5a
smooth hedgenettle Stachys tenuifolia Wildflower (forb) 25 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora Tree 100 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
southern red oak Quercus falcata Tree 75 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6a
southern waxy sedge Carex glaucescens Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 6a
Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides Vine — Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 9b
spring spiderlily Hymenocallis liriosme Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 7b
squarestem spikerush Eleocharis quadrangulata Grass or grass-like 4 ft Sun High Zone 4b
St. Peterswort Hypericum crux-andreae Shrub 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 6b
stalkless yellowcress Rorippa sessiliflora Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12b
stiff goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum Wildflower (forb) 3.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
stiff marsh bedstraw Galium tinctorium Wildflower (forb) 10 in Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
strawcolored flatsedge Cyperus strigosus Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
sturdy bulrush Bolboschoenus robustus Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 8a
sugarberry Celtis laevigata Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
sugarcane plumegrass Saccharum giganteum Grass or grass-like 9.8 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
summer grape Vitis aestivalis Vine 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
swamp sawgrass Cladium mariscus Grass or grass-like 8.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 8b
swamp smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides Wildflower (forb) — Sun Medium Zone 10b
swamp sunflower Helianthus angustifolius Wildflower (forb) 5.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 5a
sweetscent Pluchea odorata Wildflower (forb) 4.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
switchgrass Panicum virgatum Grass or grass-like 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
tanglehead Heteropogon contortus Grass or grass-like 8 in Sun Low Zone 8a
tapertip flatsedge Cyperus acuminatus Grass or grass-like 1.3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
teal lovegrass Eragrostis hypnoides Grass or grass-like 4 in Sun High Zone 3b
thinfruit sedge Carex flaccosperma Grass or grass-like 1 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6b
toad rush Juncus bufonius Grass or grass-like 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 12a
Torrey's rush Juncus torreyi Grass or grass-like 3.1 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
trumpet creeper Campsis radicans Vine 2 ft Sun Low Zone 6a
trumpet honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens Vine 16 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
turkey tangle fogfruit Phyla nodiflora Wildflower (forb) 2 in Sun–part shade Low Zone 5b
two-wing silverbell Halesia diptera Tree 15 ft Sun–part shade — Zone 8a
twoheaded water-starwort Callitriche heterophylla Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 4a
upland bentgrass Agrostis perennans Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
upright prairie coneflower Ratibida columnifera Wildflower (forb) 3.1 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
valley redstem Ammannia coccinea Wildflower (forb) 1.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
variable panicgrass Dichanthelium commutatum Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 4b
velvet panicum Dichanthelium scoparium Grass or grass-like 4.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
Virginia dayflower Commelina virginica Wildflower (forb) 3.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
Virginia iris Iris virginica Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8b
Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
water locust Gleditsia aquatica Tree 40 ft Sun–part shade — Zone 10a
water oak Quercus nigra Tree 90 ft Sun High Zone 5a
waterthread pondweed Potamogeton diversifolius Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun High Zone 3b
wax myrtle Morella cerifera Tree 10 ft Sun High Zone 7a
white edge sedge Carex debilis Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6a
white fringetree Chionanthus virginicus Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
white panicle aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
white prairie clover Dalea candida Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
whitegrass Leersia virginica Grass or grass-like 3.9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
whiteroot rush Juncus brachycarpus Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5a
wild tantan Desmanthus virgatus Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 9a
willow oak Quercus phellos Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 5a
winged elm Ulmus alata Tree 65 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
winged sumac Rhus copallinum Tree 8 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
wingleaf primrose-willow Ludwigia decurrens Wildflower (forb) 4.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 8a
winter bentgrass Agrostis hyemalis Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
woodland bluegrass Poa sylvestris Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
yaupon Ilex vomitoria Tree 25 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 8a
yellow flatsedge Cyperus flavescens Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 11b
yellow passionflower Passiflora lutea Vine 16 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a

Other native species recorded here 386

PLANTS has no growing records for these, so light, moisture, height and zone filters cannot include them. Many are wild species seldom sold by nurseries.

  • Alabama supplejack Berchemia scandens
  • amberique-bean Strophostyles helvola
  • American bluehearts Buchnera americana
  • American buckwheat vine Brunnichia ovata
  • American star-thistle Centaurea americana
  • American wild carrot Daucus pusillus
  • anglestem primrose-willow Ludwigia leptocarpa
  • annual fimbry Fimbristylis annua
  • annual marsh elder Iva annua
  • annual phlox Phlox drummondii
  • aquatic milkweed Asclepias perennis
  • arrowfeather threeawn Aristida purpurascens
  • arrowleaf violet Viola sagittata
  • ashy sunflower Helianthus mollis
  • Atlantic pigeonwings Clitoria mariana
  • axilflower Mecardonia acuminata
  • azure blue sage Salvia azurea
  • Baldwin's flatsedge Cyperus croceus
  • Baldwin's ironweed Vernonia baldwinii
  • beach false foxglove Agalinis fasciculata
  • beaked cornsalad Valerianella radiata
  • beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps
  • bearded flatsedge Cyperus squarrosus
  • bearded skeletongrass Gymnopogon ambiguus
  • big carpetgrass Axonopus furcatus
  • bigpod sesbania Sesbania herbacea
  • bigseed alfalfa dodder Cuscuta indecora
  • bigtop lovegrass Eragrostis hirsuta
  • blackfoot quillwort Isoetes melanopoda
  • blackseed speargrass Piptochaetium avenaceum
  • blood panicgrass Dichanthelium consanguineum
  • bluestem pricklypoppy Argemone albiflora
  • bog yelloweyed grass Xyris difformis
  • Bosc's mille graines Oldenlandia boscii
  • Bosc's panicgrass Dichanthelium boscii
  • branched foldwing Dicliptera brachiata
  • bristly greenbrier Smilax tamnoides
  • bristly scaleseed Spermolepis echinata
  • buffalobur nightshade Solanum rostratum
  • bulbous woodrush Luzula bulbosa
  • bushy knotweed Polygonum ramosissimum
  • button eryngo Eryngium yuccifolium
  • camphor pluchea Pluchea camphorata
  • camphorweed Heterotheca subaxillaris
  • Canada lettuce Lactuca canadensis
  • Canada toadflax Nuttallanthus canadensis
  • Canadian blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis
  • carelessweed Amaranthus palmeri
  • Carolina anemone Anemone caroliniana
  • Carolina canarygrass Phalaris caroliniana
  • Carolina clover Trifolium carolinianum
  • Carolina coralbead Cocculus carolinus
  • Carolina desert-chicory Pyrrhopappus carolinianus
  • Carolina fimbry Fimbristylis caroliniana
  • Carolina geranium Geranium carolinianum
  • Carolina horsenettle Solanum carolinense
  • Carolina larkspur Delphinium carolinianum
  • Carolina leaf-flower Phyllanthus caroliniensis
  • Carolina mosquitofern Azolla caroliniana
  • Carolina ponysfoot Dichondra carolinensis
  • Carolina sedge Carex caroliniana
  • Carolina wild petunia Ruellia caroliniensis
  • catchfly prairie gentian Eustoma exaltatum
  • chaffweed Anagallis minima
  • chairmaker's bulrush Schoenoplectus americanus
  • Cherokee sedge Carex cherokeensis
  • chinquapin Castanea pumila
  • Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
  • clasping milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis
  • clasping Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata
  • claspingleaf St. Johnswort Hypericum gymnanthum
  • clustered beaksedge Rhynchospora glomerata
  • clustered mille graines Oldenlandia uniflora
  • coastal lovegrass Eragrostis refracta
  • coastal plain sedge Carex crebriflora
  • coastal sandbur Cenchrus spinifex
  • common bladderwort Utricularia macrorhiza
  • common boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
  • common carpetgrass Axonopus fissifolius
  • common threeseed mercury Acalypha rhomboidea
  • compassplant Silphium laciniatum
  • creeping burhead Echinodorus cordifolius
  • creeping eryngo Eryngium prostratum
  • crested yellow orchid Platanthera cristata
  • crowpoison Nothoscordum bivalve
  • Cuman ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya
  • curlytop knotweed Polygonum lapathifolium
  • cutleaf evening primrose Oenothera laciniata
  • cutleaf grapefern Botrychium dissectum
  • cutleaf groundcherry Physalis angulata
  • cylindricfruit primrose-willow Ludwigia glandulosa
  • cypress panicgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum
  • denseflower knotweed Polygonum glabrum
  • devil's grandmother Elephantopus tomentosus
  • diamond-flowers Stenaria nigricans
  • dogfennel Eupatorium capillifolium
  • downy hawthorn Crataegus mollis
  • downy lobelia Lobelia puberula
  • downy milkpea Galactia volubilis
  • downy phlox Phlox pilosa
  • downy ragged goldenrod Solidago petiolaris
  • Drummond's aster Symphyotrichum drummondii
  • dwarf saltwort Salicornia bigelovii
  • dwarf sundew Drosera brevifolia
  • dwarf umbrella-sedge Fuirena pumila
  • early wildrye Elymus macgregorii
  • eastern fox sedge Carex triangularis
  • eastern marsh fern Thelypteris palustris
  • eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans
  • ebony spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron
  • erect centella Centella erecta
  • eyebane Chamaesyce nutans
  • fall witchgrass Digitaria cognata
  • false aloe Manfreda virginica
  • false boneset Brickellia eupatorioides
  • false hop sedge Carex lupuliformis
  • feather fingergrass Chloris virgata
  • fewflower milkweed Asclepias lanceolata
  • fewflower nutrush Scleria pauciflora
  • field lovegrass Eragrostis elliottii
  • Florida paspalum Paspalum floridanum
  • flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata
  • fragrant spikesedge Kyllinga odorata
  • fringed nutrush Scleria ciliata
  • gaping grass Steinchisma hians
  • garden dewberry Rubus aboriginum
  • giant sedge Carex gigantea
  • globe beaksedge Rhynchospora globularis
  • globe flatsedge Cyperus echinatus
  • golden zizia Zizia aurea
  • grassy arrowhead Sagittaria graminea
  • great ragweed Ambrosia trifida
  • green adder's-mouth orchid Malaxis unifolia
  • green antelopehorn Asclepias viridis
  • green carpetweed Mollugo verticillata
  • green comet milkweed Asclepias viridiflora
  • green dragon Arisaema dracontium
  • greenvein lady's tresses Spiranthes praecox
  • grooved flax Linum sulcatum
  • groovestem Indian plantain Arnoglossum plantagineum
  • Guadeloupe cucumber Melothria pendula
  • gum bully Sideroxylon lanuginosum
  • hairy bedstraw Galium pilosum
  • hairy clustervine Jacquemontia tamnifolia
  • hairy evening primrose Oenothera villosa
  • hairy fimbry Fimbristylis puberula
  • hairy pinweed Lechea mucronata
  • hairy small-leaf ticktrefoil Desmodium ciliare
  • hairy umbrella-sedge Fuirena squarrosa
  • hairyfruit chervil Chaerophyllum tainturieri
  • hairyseed paspalum Paspalum pubiflorum
  • Harvey's beaksedge Rhynchospora harveyi
  • heartleaf four o'clock Mirabilis nyctaginea
  • heartleaf skullcap Scutellaria ovata
  • heartwing sorrel Rumex hastatulus
  • hedge false bindweed Calystegia sepium
  • Heller's rosette grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes
  • herb of grace Bacopa monnieri
  • hirsute sedge Carex complanata
  • hogwort Croton capitatus
  • hooded arrowhead Sagittaria calycina
  • husk tomato Physalis pubescens
  • hyssopleaf sandmat Chamaesyce hyssopifolia
  • Juda's bush Iresine rhizomatosa
  • jumpseed Polygonum virginianum
  • juniper leaf Polypremum procumbens
  • keeled bulrush Isolepis carinata
  • kidneyshape sedge Carex reniformis
  • kiss me quick Portulaca pilosa
  • lace grass Eragrostis capillaris
  • lanceleaf blanketflower Gaillardia aestivalis
  • lanceleaf fogfruit Phyla lanceolata
  • largebracted plantain Plantago aristata
  • largeflower tickseed Coreopsis grandiflora
  • largeseed forget-me-not Myosotis macrosperma
  • lateflowering thoroughwort Eupatorium serotinum
  • lax hornpod Mitreola petiolata
  • leathery rush Juncus coriaceus
  • Leavenworth's sedge Carex leavenworthii
  • lemon beebalm Monarda citriodora
  • limestone adderstongue Ophioglossum engelmannii
  • little duckweed Lemna obscura
  • little lady's tresses Spiranthes tuberosa
  • littlehead nutrush Scleria oligantha
  • littlehip hawthorn Crataegus spathulata
  • lizard's tail Saururus cernuus
  • Long's sedge Carex longii
  • longflower beeblossom Oenothera filiformis
  • Louisiana sedge Carex louisianica
  • Louisiana vetch Vicia ludoviciana
  • low spearwort Ranunculus pusillus
  • lowland rotala Rotala ramosior
  • lyreleaf sage Salvia lyrata
  • maidencane Panicum hemitomon
  • man of the earth Ipomoea pandurata
  • marsh bristlegrass Setaria parviflora
  • marsh fimbry Fimbristylis castanea
  • marsh mermaidweed Proserpinaca palustris
  • Maryland meadowbeauty Rhexia mariana
  • Maximilian sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
  • mayapple Podophyllum peltatum
  • meadow garlic Allium canadense
  • Mexican plum Prunus mexicana
  • Missouri violet Viola missouriensis
  • mucronate sprangletop Leptochloa panicea
  • narrowleaf gumweed Grindelia lanceolata
  • narrowleaf mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
  • narrowleaf pinweed Lechea tenuifolia
  • narrowleaf primrose-willow Ludwigia linearis
  • narrowleaf stoneseed Lithospermum incisum
  • neckweed Veronica peregrina
  • netted chainfern Woodwardia areolata
  • nits and lice Hypericum drummondii
  • nodding beaksedge Rhynchospora inexpansa
  • northern slender lady's tresses Spiranthes lacera
  • Nuttall's prairie parsley Polytaenia nuttallii
  • obedient plant Physostegia virginiana
  • October lady's tresses Spiranthes ovalis
  • Oklahoma grasspink Calopogon oklahomensis
  • openflower rosette grass Dichanthelium laxiflorum
  • pale spikerush Eleocharis macrostachya
  • palegreen orchid Platanthera flava
  • palespike lobelia Lobelia spicata
  • partridgeberry Mitchella repens
  • pasture heliotrope Heliotropium tenellum
  • Pennsylvania everlasting Gamochaeta pensylvanica
  • Pickering's dawnflower Stylisma pickeringii
  • pine barren flatsedge Cyperus retrorsus
  • pineland threeseed mercury Acalypha ostryifolia
  • pineywoods dropseed Sporobolus junceus
  • pink fuzzybean Strophostyles umbellata
  • pink thoroughwort Fleischmannia incarnata
  • pinkladies Oenothera speciosa
  • pitseed goosefoot Chenopodium berlandieri
  • plains snakecotton Froelichia floridana
  • Plukenet's flatsedge Cyperus plukenetii
  • poorjoe Diodia teres
  • potato dwarfdandelion Krigia dandelion
  • poverty dropseed Sporobolus vaginiflorus
  • Powell's amaranth Amaranthus powellii
  • prairie blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium campestre
  • prairie broomweed Amphiachyris dracunculoides
  • prairie cupgrass Eriochloa contracta
  • prairie plantain Plantago elongata
  • prairie tea Croton monanthogynus
  • prairie threeawn Aristida oligantha
  • prickly fanpetals Sida spinosa
  • procession flower Polygala incarnata
  • prostrate sandmat Chamaesyce prostrata
  • prune-fruit sedge Carex corrugata
  • queendevil Hieracium gronovii
  • rabbit-tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
  • ram's horn Proboscidea louisianica
  • Ravenel's rosette grass Dichanthelium ravenelii
  • red lovegrass Eragrostis secundiflora
  • Red River scaleseed Spermolepis inermis
  • redseed plantain Plantago rhodosperma
  • redwhisker clammyweed Polanisia dodecandra
  • reflexed sedge Carex retroflexa
  • rice button aster Symphyotrichum dumosum
  • Richard's yelloweyed grass Xyris jupicai
  • rose mock vervain Glandularia canadensis
  • rosemallow Hibiscus lasiocarpos
  • rough barnyardgrass Echinochloa muricata
  • rough dropseed Sporobolus clandestinus
  • rough false pennyroyal Hedeoma hispida
  • rough Mexican clover Richardia scabra
  • roughfruit scaleseed Spermolepis divaricata
  • roundfruit hedgehyssop Gratiola virginiana
  • roundseed panicgrass Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
  • rusty blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum
  • Sampson's snakeroot Orbexilum pedunculatum
  • sand bittercress Cardamine parviflora
  • sand spikerush Eleocharis montevidensis
  • seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia
  • sensitive fern Onoclea sensibilis
  • sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans
  • shaggy crabgrass Digitaria villosa
  • shaggy hedgehyssop Gratiola pilosa
  • sharpscale sedge Carex oxylepis
  • shortbeak sedge Carex brevior
  • shortleaf spikesedge Kyllinga brevifolia
  • sidebeak pencilflower Stylosanthes biflora
  • silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium
  • silvery everlasting Gamochaeta argyrinea
  • sixweeks fescue Vulpia octoflora
  • skyblue aster Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
  • sleepy silene Silene antirrhina
  • slender crabgrass Digitaria filiformis
  • slender fimbry Fimbristylis autumnalis
  • slender lespedeza Lespedeza virginica
  • slender plantain Plantago heterophylla
  • slender threeseed mercury Acalypha gracilens
  • slender wedgescale Sphenopholis intermedia
  • slender woodland sedge Carex digitalis
  • slim amaranth Amaranthus hybridus
  • slimflower scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum
  • slimleaf milkweed Asclepias stenophylla
  • slimleaf panicgrass Dichanthelium linearifolium
  • slimpod rush Juncus diffusissimus
  • slimspike threeawn Aristida longespica
  • small green wood orchid Platanthera clavellata
  • small skullcap Scutellaria parvula
  • small Venus' looking-glass Triodanis biflora
  • smallflower fumewort Corydalis micrantha
  • smallfruit spikerush Eleocharis microcarpa
  • smallhead doll's daisy Boltonia diffusa
  • smooth cliffbrake Pellaea glabella
  • smooth false buttonweed Spermacoce glabra
  • smooth oxeye Heliopsis helianthoides
  • smooth ticktrefoil Desmodium laevigatum
  • sneezeweed Helenium amarum
  • snowy orchid Platanthera nivea
  • soft goldenaster Chrysopsis pilosa
  • soft-hair marbleseed Onosmodium bejariense
  • southern annual saltmarsh aster Symphyotrichum divaricatum
  • southern cattail Typha domingensis
  • southern cutgrass Leersia hexandra
  • southern dewberry Rubus trivialis
  • southern twayblade Listera australis
  • Spanish gold Grindelia papposa
  • Spanish needles Bidens bipinnata
  • sparselobe grapefern Botrychium biternatum
  • spiked crested coralroot Hexalectris spicata
  • spoonleaf purple everlasting Gamochaeta purpurea
  • spotted beebalm Monarda punctata
  • spotted sandmat Chamaesyce maculata
  • spring coralroot Corallorhiza wisteriana
  • spring forget-me-not Myosotis verna
  • spring lady's tresses Spiranthes vernalis
  • spurred butterfly pea Centrosema virginianum
  • St. Andrew's cross Hypericum hypericoides
  • stalked wild petunia Ruellia pedunculata
  • standing-cypress Ipomopsis rubra
  • stiff sunflower Helianthus pauciflorus
  • stiff yellow flax Linum medium
  • stinking camphorweed Pluchea foetida
  • stout rush Juncus nodatus
  • swamp dock Rumex verticillatus
  • swamp leather flower Clematis crispa
  • tall blazing star Liatris aspera
  • tall horned beaksedge Rhynchospora macrostachya
  • tall thistle Cirsium altissimum
  • tapered rosette grass Dichanthelium acuminatum
  • Texas goldentop Euthamia gymnospermoides
  • Texas sedge Carex texensis
  • Texas star Sabatia campestris
  • Texas vervain Verbena halei
  • thin paspalum Paspalum setaceum
  • threadleaf evening primrose Oenothera linifolia
  • tiny bluet Houstonia pusilla
  • toothed spurge Euphorbia dentata
  • trailing pearlwort Sagina decumbens
  • tropical flatsedge Cyperus surinamensis
  • tufted lovegrass Eragrostis pectinacea
  • tumblegrass Schedonnardus paniculatus
  • twoflower melicgrass Melica mutica
  • upright burhead Echinodorus berteroi
  • Vahl's fimbry Fimbristylis vahlii
  • velvetleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium viridiflorum
  • velvetweed Oenothera curtiflora
  • Viola ×primulifolia Viola ×primulifolia
  • violet woodsorrel Oxalis violacea
  • Virginia buttonweed Diodia virginiana
  • Virginia dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica
  • Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
  • Virginia plantain Plantago virginica
  • Virginia saltmarsh mallow Kosteletzkya virginica
  • Virginia snakeroot Aristolochia serpentaria
  • Virginia winged rockcress Sibara virginica
  • warty panicgrass Panicum verrucosum
  • warty spurge Euphorbia spathulata
  • western silver aster Symphyotrichum sericeum
  • whip nutrush Scleria triglomerata
  • white crownbeard Verbesina virginica
  • white four o'clock Mirabilis albida
  • white snakeroot Ageratina altissima
  • whitemouth dayflower Commelina erecta
  • whitetinge sedge Carex albicans
  • whorled marshpennywort Hydrocotyle verticillata
  • whorled milkweed Asclepias verticillata
  • willowleaf aster Symphyotrichum praealtum
  • winged lythrum Lythrum alatum
  • woolly dutchman's pipe Aristolochia tomentosa
  • yankeeweed Eupatorium compositifolium
  • yellow thistle Cirsium horridulum
Also listed as native and introduced here 5

PLANTS labels these species both native and introduced in this state: some forms are native and others were brought in from elsewhere. Most gardeners should choose plants from the main list.

  • annual ragweedAmbrosia artemisiifolia
  • cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum
  • common pepperweedLepidium densiflorum
  • floating primrose-willowLudwigia peploides
  • Mexican teaDysphania ambrosioides

Compared with Texas

The typical county is the median of the 254 Texas counties with PLANTS county records; the statewide figure counts every species native anywhere in the state. More species is not better or worse: counties differ in size, habitat and how thoroughly they have been surveyed.

Native species counts, Harris County and Texas
MeasureHarris CountyTypical countyStatewide
Native species 640 145 1,683
Garden-ready natives 254 61 656
Tree 65 — 164
Shrub 13 — 90
Wildflower (forb) 325 — 877
Grass or grass-like 191 — 431
Vine 34 — 83
Fern 12 — 38

Neighboring counties

Counties that share a ZIP code with Harris County.

Look up another ZIP

Matches your ZIP to the county it mostly lies in, then lists the plants recorded as native to your state (Kew’s World Checklist and USDA PLANTS) and recorded in that county by USDA PLANTS.

Source & data date

Source
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database: county distribution records, native status and plant characteristics. CC0 (public domain dedication, per the data.gov catalog record).
Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): native or introduced status by state. CC BY 3.0.
USGS US-RIIS (ver. 2.0): species listed as introduced are excluded. CC0.
Citation
USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 11/04/2026). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
Govaerts R. (ed.) (2026). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Data file dated 2026-06-04, http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ (retrieved 2026-11-04). Paper: Govaerts R. et al. (2021) The World Checklist of Vascular Plants, a continuously updated resource for exploring global plant diversity. Scientific Data 8, 215.
Data date
Retrieved from PLANTS on November 4, 2026; WCVP data file dated June 4, 2026.
Zones
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) ZIP table: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 3, 2026. Plant zones on this site are our estimate, not the official map.
Scope
Harris County (county FIPS 48201), Texas. 640 native species from PLANTS county distribution records; garden-ready = species with a PLANTS characteristics record.
Method
A species is listed when it is recorded as native to the state in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in the county by USDA PLANTS. Species PLANTS labels both native and introduced are listed separately. Full method · All sources

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