Native Plants in New Mexico
The native plants that belong in New Mexico gardens — grouped by sun, soil, and wildlife value.
47 native plants suit New Mexico's ecoregions and USDA zones 4–8. Below they're grouped by how you'd use them — full sun, wet soil and rain gardens, dry, drought-prone ground, deer-resistant picks, groundcovers, pollinators, birds and hummingbirds — with a species table and when to plant.
Data updated: August 2026Sources & method · Corrections
When to plant natives in New Mexico
Plant after your last spring frost — roughly March 26 in the milder south to May 12 in the colder north. Fall is often even better for perennials and shrubs — the soil is still warm and roots settle before winter, ahead of the first frost around September 28 in the north to November 12 in the south.
For full sun
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
- Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula
- Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis
- Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
For wet soil & rain gardens
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea
- Nootka Rose Rosa nutkana
- Twinberry Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata
- Rocky Mountain Iris Iris missouriensis
For dry, drought-prone spots
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida
- Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
- Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula
- Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis
- Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum
Deer-resistant
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida
- Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
- Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula
- Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum
- Pasque Flower Pulsatilla patens
- Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus
Groundcovers
- Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis
- Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum
- Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Woodland Strawberry Fragaria vesca
- Idaho Fescue Festuca idahoensis
For pollinators
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea
- Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum
- Pasque Flower Pulsatilla patens
- California Poppy Eschscholzia californica
- Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus
- Firecracker Penstemon Penstemon eatonii
- Desert Marigold Baileya multiradiata
For birds
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
- Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula
- Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis
- Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa
- Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea
- Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica
- Oregon Grape Berberis aquifolium
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
For hummingbirds
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus
- Firecracker Penstemon Penstemon eatonii
- Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis
- Oregon Grape Berberis aquifolium
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Twinberry Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata
- Wax Currant Ribes cereum
- Scarlet Gilia Ipomopsis aggregata
Identify New Mexico wildflowers by color
| Bloom color | Native wildflowers (typical U.S. bloom) |
|---|---|
| Blue | Rocky Mountain Penstemon — Deep blue-purple (May–Jul), Blue Flax — Sky blue, paper-thin petals (May–Jul), Rocky Mountain Iris — Pale blue-lavender (May–Jun) |
| Gold | Black-Eyed Susan — Golden yellow (Jun–Sep), Stiff Goldenrod — Flat gold heads (Aug–Oct), Maximilian Sunflower — Golden yellow (Aug–Oct), Lanceleaf Coreopsis — Bright gold (May–Jul), Desert Marigold — Lemon gold (Mar–Oct), Chocolate Flower — Yellow, maroon center (May–Sep), Prairie Coneflower — Yellow with a tall brown cone (Jun–Aug) |
| Magenta | Purple Prairie Clover — Rose-purple (Jun–Jul) |
| Orange | Butterfly Weed — Vivid orange (Jun–Aug), California Poppy — Saturated orange (Mar–Jun), Blanketflower — Red & gold (Jun–Sep) |
| Pink | Showy Milkweed — Star-shaped pink (Jun–Jul), Prairie Smoke — Dusky pink nodding bells (Apr–May) |
| Purple | Wild Bergamot — Lavender (Jun–Aug), Pasque Flower — Lavender-purple (Mar–Apr), Silky Lupine — Silvery-blue to violet spikes (May–Jul) |
| Red | Cardinal Flower — Electric scarlet (Jul–Sep), Firecracker Penstemon — Scarlet tubes (Mar–May), Scarlet Gilia — Trumpet-shaped scarlet (Jun–Aug) |
| White | Common Yarrow — White (wild form) (May–Aug), Woodland Strawberry — Small white, five-petaled (Apr–Jun) |
Bloom months are a typical window across the species' U.S. range, not a local calendar — the same plant opens weeks later in the north and at altitude than it does in the south. Use it for ordering the season, and let the plants in front of you set the dates.
All 47 native plants for New Mexico
| Plant | Type | Sun | Soil moisture | Height | Typical bloom (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–3 ft | Jun–Sep |
| Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1.5–2.5 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 3–5 ft | Aug–Oct |
| Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Full sun | Wet / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jul–Sep |
| Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1–3 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | — |
| Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 4–7 ft | — |
| Switchgrass Panicum virgatum | Ornamental grass | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 3–6 ft | — |
| Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 4–7 ft | — |
| Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry | 1.5–2.5 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry | 8–20 in | Jun–Aug |
| Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 5–8 ft | Aug–Oct |
| Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–2 ft | May–Jul |
| Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 6–16 in | Apr–May |
| Pasque Flower Pulsatilla patens | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 6–12 in | Mar–Apr |
| California Poppy Eschscholzia californica | Perennial / reseeding annual | Full sun | Dry | 8–18 in | Mar–Jun |
| Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1.5–2.5 ft | May–Jul |
| Firecracker Penstemon Penstemon eatonii | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1.5–3 ft | Mar–May |
| Desert Marigold Baileya multiradiata | Perennial / reseeding annual | Full sun | Dry | 12–18 in | Mar–Oct |
| Chocolate Flower Berlandiera lyrata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1–2 ft | May–Sep |
| Blanketflower Gaillardia aristata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1–2.5 ft | Jun–Sep |
| Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis | Small tree | Full sun | Dry | 15–25 ft | May–Sep |
| Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa | Shrub | Full sun | Dry | 3–6 ft | Apr–Sep |
| Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–3 ft | May–Aug |
| Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 6–9 ft | May–Jun |
| Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 2–6 ft | Mar–Apr |
| Oregon Grape Berberis aquifolium | Evergreen shrub | Part sun / Shade / Full sun | Dry / Medium | 3–6 ft | Mar–Apr |
| Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Evergreen shrub (groundcover) | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 4–8 in | Apr–May |
| Nootka Rose Rosa nutkana | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 3–6 ft | May–Jun |
| Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 5–15 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Western Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia | Large shrub or small tree | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 6–15 ft | Apr–May |
| Twinberry Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 4–8 ft | May–Jul |
| Douglas-Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii | Evergreen conifer | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 40–80 ft | Apr–May |
| Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata | Evergreen shrub | Full sun | Dry | 2–6.7 ft | Aug–Oct |
| Woodland Strawberry Fragaria vesca | Groundcover perennial | Part sun / Shade / Full sun | Medium | 4–8 in | Apr–Jun |
| Idaho Fescue Festuca idahoensis | Ornamental grass | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 0.8–2 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Blue Flax Linum lewisii | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 1–2 ft | May–Jul |
| Antelope Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata | Shrub | Full sun | Dry | 2–6 ft | Apr–May |
| Silky Lupine Lupinus sericeus | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 1–2 ft | May–Jul |
| Wood's Rose Rosa woodsii | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 2–6 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–3 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Wax Currant Ribes cereum | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 2–5 ft | Apr–May |
| Scarlet Gilia Ipomopsis aggregata | Biennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 1–3 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Rocky Mountain Iris Iris missouriensis | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 1–2 ft | May–Jun |
| Chokecherry Prunus virginiana | Large shrub or small tree | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 10–20 ft | May–Jun |
Bloom months are a typical window across the species' U.S. range, not a local calendar — the same plant opens weeks later in the north and at altitude than it does in the south. Use it for ordering the season, and let the plants in front of you set the dates.
Confirm any plant is native to your county with your state Native Plant Society before planting.
The New Mexico natives worth asking for
The natives worth asking for in New Mexico — with the botanical name to say at the counter, so you get the plant that feeds something.
The complete Native Plants of New Mexico
The native plants that belong in your yard — what to plant for pollinators, by zone, with bloom timing and a species table.
Want it on paper? See the printable Native Plants of New Mexico.