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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Austin, Texas

📍 Austin, TX 🌡️ USDA Zone 8b 🌱 337+ compatible plants

Gardening in Austin

Austin falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 10°F to 20°F range. The 337+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Austin

Amsonia
Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Sky-blue star-shaped blooms brighten late spring gardens with a soft, airy appeal. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller
Senecio cineraria
Silvery, velvety foliage with bright yellow blooms from June to September adds striking contrast and seasonal interest. This low-maintenance annual attracts pollinators and thrives in full sun across USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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Hosta
Hosta
Hosta sieboldiana
Lush, blue-green leaves contrast beautifully with delicate white to lavender blooms in midsummer, brightening shady spots. This shade-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 with minimal care.
Zone 3–9🐝 Pollinator
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Begonia (Wax)
Begonia (Wax)
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum
Bright, glossy leaves and vibrant pink, red, or white blooms brighten summer gardens with nonstop color. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in shade and is deer resistant, USDA zones 10-11.
Zone 2–11🦌 Deer-Resistant
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Sassafras
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Bright yellow blooms in early spring add cheerful color while attracting pollinators to your garden. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Buttonbush
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Clusters of fragrant, globe-shaped white blooms brighten summer landscapes with unique texture and charm. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in wet soils, attracting pollinators and flourishing in USDA zones 5-11.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Black Gum
Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Brilliant scarlet and orange foliage lights up fall, creating stunning seasonal color. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts vital pollinators.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Allium giganteum
Towering purple globe blooms dazzle in late spring to early summer, adding bold color and texture to any garden. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 4-9, this low-maintenance Allium attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Portulaca
Portulaca
Portulaca grandiflora
Vibrant blooms in pink, white, yellow, red, and orange light up gardens from June to September with nonstop color. This low-maintenance annual thrives in full sun, attracts pollinators, and grows well in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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Serviceberry
Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Delicate white spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage make this shrub a seasonal standout. Thrives in USDA zones 4-9, it's low maintenance and attracts pollinators year-round.
Zone 4–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Salvia
Salvia
Salvia nemorosa
Vibrant blue, purple, and red blooms dazzle from May to October, adding long-lasting color to any sunny spot. This deer-resistant Salvia thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators all season.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Anemone
Anemone
Anemone spp.
Delicate pink and white blooms grace the garden from June to September, adding vibrant color through summer and early fall. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and tolerates full sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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Get a Personalized Plant List for Austin

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 8b.

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Other Cities in Zone 8b

Dallas, TX Fort Worth, TX Charlotte, NC Seattle, WA El Paso, TX Portland, OR Atlanta, GA Arlington, TX

Browse All 337+ Plants for Zone 8b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 8 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.