Plant This, Not That: Better Plants for North Texas

If you’ve lived in the metroplex long enough, you’ve seen it happen—a plant that thrives in other parts of the country just can’t take our heat, humidity, and unpredictable weather. Many common landscape plants struggle in our heavy clay alkaline soils, require excessive watering, or simply can’t handle the extreme temperature swings we see from year to year.

But the good news? There are better options! By choosing Texas natives and/or well-adapted (non-invasive) perennials, you can have a beautiful, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly landscape without the constant watering, fertilizing, and replacing plants each season. Here are some of the commonly planted “big box store” plants that struggle in North Texas, and the better choices you can find at most independent garden centers, including ours.

 

Not That: Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica)

✖ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 3-6 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide | Pink or White Blooms
Indian Hawthorn struggles in North Texas due to disease pressure, particularly entomosporium leaf spot, which causes severe defoliation. Then it dies by extreme freeze events every few years. For the love of everything that is holey (cause the leaf spot ), please stop wasting your $ replanting this throw-a-way shrub.

Plant This: Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)

✔ Full Sun to Part Sun | 3-6 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide | Purple, Pink, White Blooms
Texas Sage is a tough, drought-resistant shrub that thrives in heat, poor soils, and minimal water. It bursts into beautiful blooms after rain, needs little maintenance, and comes in a variety of sizes and colorful blooms, plus it’s a host plant for the Theona Checkerspot butterfly!

 

Not That: Standard Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)

✖ Partial Shade to Full Shade | 3-6 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide | Pink, Blue, or White Blooms
Hydrangeas really struggle in alkaline clay soils and require very consistent moisture—making them difficult to sustain in North Texas summers. Can you grow it by constantly acidifying the soil (and our alkaline water) with amendments, and fertilizers, and babying it through the summers by watering every day? Sure. But Why?

Plant This: Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

✔ Partial Shade | 3.5-6 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide | White Blooms to Pinkish, Red foliage
Oakleaf Hydrangea is a tougher, drought-tolerant alternative that thrives in shade and tolerates alkaline soils better than traditional hydrangeas because its native to as close as Louisiana. Not only does it have bigger blooms but it also provides stunning fall color that persist most winters, unlike most hydrangea varieties.

 

Not That: Liriope (Liriope muscari)

✖ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 12-18 in tall, 12-18 in wide | Purple or White Blooms
Liriope is prone to crown rot and invasive spreading, making it a less desirable groundcover for North Texas. Plus it’s a little played out. 1992 called and they want their border plant back.

Plant This: Feather Falls Sedge (Carex ‘Feather Falls’)

✔ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 12-18 in tall, 12-18 in wide | Evergreen Foliage
Feather Falls Sedge offers similar texture but better heat tolerance than liriope. It forms attractive mounds of arching, variegated foliage, and doesn’t spread aggressively. Want an edible AND ornamental alternative? Try variegated society garlic. Need a native option? Texas Sedge might fit the bill.

 

Not That: Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

✖ Full Sun | 4-8 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide | Red, Pink, or Yellow Blooms
Tropical Hibiscus thrives in warm, humid climates but will never make it through Texas winters—needing to be replaced annually which costs $$$. Plus, they might make your backyard look like a Florida motel pool. Thankfully, there are better options.

Plant This: Texas Star Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) & Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

✔ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 4-6 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide |Very Large Red, Pink, or White Blooms
Both Texas Star Hibiscus and Hardy Hibiscus (many nativars and native hybrids) offer HUGE, tropical-looking flowers but handle cold better than their tropical counterparts. These native, drought-resistant perennials return each year after even the harshest winters and thrive in our clay soils.

 

Not That: Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

✖ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 2-4 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide | Evergreen Shrub
Boxwoods struggle in North Texas due to heat stress, poor drainage, and susceptibility to fungal diseases like boxwood blight. Throw in some extreme cold or a severe drought and, well… they look like the builder/ previous homeowner took the cheapest generic landscape option they could. And they did. Like Grandpa said, “you get what you pay for”.

Plant This: Dwarf Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera ‘Dwarf’)

✔ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 3-5 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Evergreen Foliage
Dwarf Wax Myrtle provides year-round greenery with better drought and disease resistance than Boxwood. In addition to being food for songbirds, its berries have shockingly been used to make candles. Even crazier, this bay leaf alternative can season seafood boils and stews!

 

Not That: Sunshine Ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’)

✖ Full Sun | 3-6 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Yellow-Gold Foliage
While popular for its golden foliage, like it’s cousin, variegated privet, Sunshine Ligustrum consistently reverts back to its natural green form, breaking its sterility. Why is that a problem you ask? Ligustrum sinense AKA Chinese Privet is the same plant, and generally regarded as THE most invasive plant in North Texas. We love y’all so we don’t sell it, but there’s a great alternative!

Plant This: Eureka Gold Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria ‘Eureka Gold’)

✔ Full Sun to Shade | 4 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Golden Foliage
Eureka Gold Yaupon offers brilliant yellow-gold foliage like Sunshine Ligustrum but is a nativar of the Texas original, highly drought-tolerant, and low maintenance. It’s also a great alternative the Camellia on this list as it’s commercially grown to make caffeinated tea!

 

Not That: Hosta (Hosta spp.)

✖ Partial to Full Shade | 1-3 ft tall, 1-3 ft wide | Green, Blue, or Variegated Foliage
Hostas struggle in Texas heat and alkaline soils, often requiring frequent watering to survive. So, your neighbor says “They are easy to grow!”. Maybe in the northeast, but definitely not here in the Lonestar state. Only plant them if you have an affinity for Willie Wonka, cause their enemy’s are Sluggworthy.

Plant This: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

✔ Partial to Full Shade | 2-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide | Evergreen Foliage
Cast Iron Plants are far more heat- and drought-tolerant than Hostas. It thrives in deep shade, poor soils, and neglect, making it perfect for shady areas in North Texas. Choose from leaves that are big or small, tall or short, or some wildly cool variegated cultivars that brighten shady spots like rays of sunshine.

 

Not That: Roses (Rosa spp.)

✖ Full Sun | 3-6 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide | Pink, Red, or White Blooms
If I haven’t already ruffled a few feathers, this ones pretty controversial. Most traditional Roses require heavier maintenance, including frequent watering, fertilizing, pruning and disease control. Can you grow them with some care? Of course, and some are better adapted– but if you aren’t consistently checking for the Rose Rosette disease– which is taking out thousands of roses each season here in north Texas. Well I’m sorry to say, you are helping spread this devastating virus. Visit roserosette.org to learn more. If a rose dies of RRD, consider re-planting with this alternative instead.

Plant This: Rose Creek Abelia (Abelia × grandiflora ‘Rose Creek’)

✔ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 2-3 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Fragrant Rosey and White Blooms
Rose Creek Abelia provides evergreen foliage and season-long color with large fragrant flower blooms that attract pollinators. Unlike most Roses, it thrives in poor soils, extreme heat, and drought while requiring minimal maintenance. For a native option check out Texas Rock Rose.

 

Not That: Redtip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

✖ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 10-15 ft tall, 8-10 ft wide | Red-tinged Evergreen Foliage
Redtip Photinia is highly susceptible to Entomosporium leaf spot, a fungal disease that causes severe defoliation, making it an unreliable choice in North Texas. Even the old-time gurus have turned-on this plant– encouraging droves of disciples to avoid at all costs. That, and the blooms smell gross, and their use in landscape designs are played-out. The plants (not the gurus). xo

Plant This: Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens)

✔ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 8-12 ft tall, 6-10 ft wide | Evergreen Foliage with Red-Tinted New Growth
Evergreen Sumac is a Texas native that offers dense, glossy green leaves, red-tinged new growth in spring, PLUS red fall foliage and berries for wildlife. Unlike Redtip Photinia, it’s disease-resistant, heat-tolerant, and drought-hardy. It’s honestly one of the most underused ornamental shrubs in the industry.

 

Not That: Eagleston Holly (Ilex x attenuata ‘Eagleston’)

✖ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 15-25 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide | Evergreen Shrub
Eagleston Hollies regularly struggle in North Texas heat, not only requiring consistent watering in its early years to establish properly—but then if you overwater or have a really wet season, its roots begin to rot. This is almost certainly the plant that we get asked to find an alternative for when they die. “My landscaper/ box store said they grow well here!” We’re sorry, Truly, and well have some great alternatives.

Plant This: Skyward Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Skyward’)

✔ Full Sun to Shade | 15-20 ft tall, 6-8 ft wide | Evergreen Shrub with Upright Growth
Skyward Yaupon Holly provides dense, upright growth, heat and drought resistance, and tolerates alkaline soil better than Eagleston Holly. That’s because it’s a nativar of the aforementioned old standard Yaupon. Shrubs don’t get any tougher, and like Clark’s Christmas tree—this one’s a Beaut!

 

Not That: Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’)

✖ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 6-10 ft tall, 1-2 ft wide | Columnar Evergreen
Sky Pencil Holly is prone to drought stress, root rot, fungal disease, and winter dieback in North Texas. Why do nursery’s sell them, and landscapers install them? Uh, well… that’s a great question—especially with an almost identical native option widely available.

Plant This: Skyline Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Skyline’)

✔ Full Sun to Partial Shade | 10-15 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Upright, Narrow Evergreen Form
Skyline Holly offers a similar narrow, columnar shape, but is far more resilient to heat, drought, and poor soil conditions. Again, the yaupon hollies are tough and versatile and won’t have you spending money and resources on replacements—whether you’re a home gardener or professional.

 

Not That: Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

✖ Partial to Full Shade | 2-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide | Green, Feathery Fronds
Ok, these are fine for an annual front porch pot or basket. Though Boston Ferns struggle in Texas’ dry heat, often requiring constant moisture and humidity. If you want to water everyday in the summer, (and pay that bill) that’s your prerogative, but there are other options that live season after season.

Plant This: River fern (Thelypteris kunthii)

✔ Partial to Full Shade | 2-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide | Feathery Green Fronds
Also known as Southern Wood Fern it still provides the same lush, tropical look but is more tolerant of heat, drought, and clay soil. Plus, it’s native to the region, and reliably comes back year after year.

 

Not That: Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

✖ Full Sun | 20-35 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide | Tall, Columnar Evergreen
Italian Cypress struggles in Texas’ heavy clay soil, is prone to root rot and Seiridium canker in wet conditions, and is highly susceptible to spider mites during drought.

Plant This: Sky Rocket Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Sky Rocket’) or Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’)

✔ Full Sun | 20-30 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Tall, Columnar Evergreen
Sky Rocket and Taylor Junipers offer the same tall, narrow silhouette but are better suited to Texas heat, clay soil, and drought. As nativars, these varieties also have fewer pest issues compared to Italian Cypress.

 

A Smarter Approach to Flower Gardening in North Texas

Choosing well-adapted perennials and shrubs means less work, lower water bills, and a more resilient landscape. These native and drought-tolerant plants will thrive in North Texas while supporting pollinators—all with minimal maintenance!