Houston & Sugar Land Pollinator Garden (Zone 9a/9b): My short “actually works here” plant list

By Todd Farber — Texas A&M horticulturist + boots-on-the-ground Houston landscaper (33+ years in these soils).

If you want more bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in Houston/Sugar Land, the trick isn’t “plant one butterfly bush and hope.” The trick is bloom coverage (something flowering in each season) + host plants (for caterpillars) + no harsh chemicals.

Below is my short list of plants that do well in our Zone 9a/9b heat + humidity, and that you can commonly find (or ask for) at:

• Enchanted Gardens (Richmond/Fort Bend)

• Joshua’s Native Plants (Houston Heights)

• Buchanan’s (The Heights)

Before you buy plants: the 3 rules that make pollinators show up

1. Plant in clumps, not singles.
   One plant is a snack. Three to seven of the same plant is a buffet.

2. Give them a water stop.
   A shallow dish with pebbles + water (refilled often) helps a lot.

3. Skip broad “bug killer” sprays.
   If you want pollinators, you can’t nuke the whole yard.

My short list (Zone 9a/9b winners)

1) Mistflower (Blue Mistflower / “Gregg’s Mistflower”)

If you want butterflies, this is one of my go-to’s. It’s a pollinator magnet and spreads into a nice patch. Buchanan’s even calls out mistflower as a pollinator favorite.
Sun/part sun. Give it room.

2) Milkweed (Native milkweed when possible)

Milkweed isn’t optional if you want monarchs—it’s the host plant. Enchanted Gardens is actively promoting milkweed/monarch habitat (Milkweed Movement).
Tip: Ask for native milkweed varieties when they’re in stock.

3) Salvia (multiple types)

Salvias are workhorses here. Joshua’s specifically highlights having “tons of salvia” and hummingbird/butterfly attractants.
Best use: mass them along a sunny edge or fence line.

4) Turk’s Cap (especially the red form)

This is a Houston classic for a reason—reliable blooms, easy care, and wildlife loves it. Buchanan’s includes Turk’s Cap among their native favorites.
Light: sun to shade (it’ll bloom better with more light).

5) Basil (African Blue Basil if you see it)

If you want bees all day long, basil flowers are nonstop. Houston Native Bees lists African Blue Basil as a top pollinator plant.
Bonus: you can still harvest some.

6) Dill / Fennel / Parsley (yes, the herbs)

These are not just for cooking—Buchanan’s points out these cool-season herbs as important host plants for swallowtails.
Where they shine: tucked into a sunny bed, especially fall through spring.

7) Coneflower (Echinacea) + Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

These are dependable “big bloom” perennials and great for pollinators. Buchanan’s includes them as strong perennial options.
Best look: plant in repeating drifts.

8) Lantana (Texas lantana if you can)

Heat-proof and a steady nectar source. Houston Native Bees lists Texas lantana as a top plant.
Note: Great in full sun; don’t overwater.

Quick “done-for-you” planting plan (simple + pretty)

If you want it to look intentional (not like a science project):

• Back row (taller): Turk’s Cap + Salvia

• Middle row: Coneflower + Black-eyed Susan

• Front edge / spillers: Mistflower

• Tucked in pockets: Dill/Fennel/Parsley + Basil

• One dedicated spot: Milkweed patch

That combo gives you blooms + host plants, and it holds up in real Houston conditions.

Where to shop (so you’re not hunting all over town)

• Enchanted Gardens (Richmond / Fort Bend) — great local selection + they specifically promote milkweed for monarch habitat.

• Joshua’s Native Plants (Heights) — Gulf Coast natives + lots of hummingbird/butterfly plants.

• Buchanan’s (Heights) — strong pollinator-native selection and lots of education around it.

The “don’t mess this up” care notes (Houston edition)

• Water to establish, then back off once roots are in (most of these prefer not to stay soggy).

• Mulch 2–3" (not against stems). Helps your plants and helps the soil.

• No weekly spraying. If you must treat something, treat the problem—not the whole yard.