If you're interested in using permaculture, this list of Texas native plants will help you incorporate appropriate greenery into your project for better results.

In the Chihuahua Desert of far west Texas where I've spent the last three years, about 11 inches of rain falls on average every year.  This relatively small amount of precipitation supports a surprisingly diverse plant community.  At least it could. 

The area where my property is located was recently deforested and its native grasses uprooted by mismanagement not all that long ago, but in places where I have applied permaculture a surge of regeneration is taking place. 

You'd need to do more than plant natives to get a place like this happening again. But I wanted to provide this list of Texas native plants to augment the full scope of regenerative modifications you should make to your property property using permaculture.

But first, a little context. Among local residents of south Brewster County, the sentiment seems to be that the state of the land is the way it is supposed to be. But as a trained permaculture designer used to scanning landscapes for areas that need help to recover from disturbance, I'm going to leave this here in case anyone out in this desert ever does care to understand that the land here is desertified and that it can be restored.

If the local population had listened to me, they'd be enjoying pretty native meadows under new forests like I do on my land. But permaculture is not only for deserts. While residents of the Big Bend can use this list of Texas native plants to regreen their properties without losing the character of the area, anyone can apply permaculture techniques like I used on my demonstration site and get results. An overall application can also accomplish feats like recharging precious ground water, increasing the growth rate of trees, stopping erosion, and lowering cooling costs.

I don't irrigate, and the only plants I added were a few Mesquite seed pods I gathered from along my road.  After 2.5 years, I had lush perennials, ground covers, grasses, shrubs, and trees.  Older bees spend the night bobbing in the petals of wild mallow and sunflower, dragonflies survey the enriched earth, butterflies flit from one pollen-laden plant to another, and toads sing out in the night.

Anyway, I recommend using a list of native Texas plants so that they will have more chance of becoming established in the harsh conditions of this desert landscape or any other part of this big, swaggering state.  This should get you started in a way, but remember that to really get new plants to grow, a comprehensive plan is needed, one showing you how to implement all aspects of permaculture.

The water, soil, sun, wind, wildlife, and plants are part of a living system in any geographic area, and it is no different in the Chihuahua Desert. 

If you would like a FREE strategy for implementing permaculture to restore your property to its natural healthiest state, you can schedule a phone session with me at https://www.ecologiclandscape.com/free-strategy.

In the meantime, here is a list from which you can more confidently make your new plant selections:

Acacia constricta (Whitethorn Acacia)

Ungnadia speciosa (Mexican Buckeye)

Diospyros texana (Texas Persimmon)

Acer grandidentatum (Bigtooth Maple)

Arbutus xalapensis (Texas Madrone)

Juniperus flaccida (Weeping Juniper)

Prosopis glandulosa (Honey Mesquite)

Quercus gravesii (Graves Oak)

Quercus grisea (Gray Oak)

Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow)

Juniperus deppeana (Alligator Juniper)

Acacia farnesiana (Huisache)

Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress)

Pinus cembroides (Mexican Pinon)

Ephedra sp. (Mormon Tea)

Rhus virens (Evergreen Sumac)

Tecoma stans (Yellow Trumpetflower)

Bouvardia ternifolia (Scarlet Bouvardia)

Aloysia gratissima (Beebrush)

Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo)

Castilleja sp (Indian Paintbrush)

Lupinus bavardii (Big Bend Bluebonnet)

Asclepias asperula (Antelope Horn Milkweed)

Glandularia bipinnatifida (Mock Vervain)

Nerisyrenia camporum (Bicolor Mustard)

In closing, I'll again remind ya that when applying permaculture, it is important to focus on a holistic, comprehensive approach beyond just planting.  This list of Texas native plants should be part of an overall plan for restoring soil moisture and texture, blocking wind, increasing shade, lowering power, water, maintenance, and waste costs, halting erosion, and more.

Reach out if you have questions.