Not sure what to plant in the Texas heat? This app shows what will actually grow
Texas has plenty of native plants to choose from, but most people don’t know which ones will actually grow in their yards.
That confusion can make gardening feel intimidating, especially if you’re trying to help bees and butterflies but don’t know where to start.
A new free app called Wild Thumb, created by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, aims to make that process easier.
It shows you which native plants work well in your part of the state and gives simple tips on how to plant and care for them.
Here’s what to know.
What does the Wild Thumb app actually do?
Wild Thumb gives you a guided entry point into native gardening by recommending flowers, grasses, and seed mixes that fit your area.
According to TPFW, the app uses your location and gardening preferences to help you avoid plants that won’t survive the heat or soil where you live.
It also lets you plan your garden with drag and drop tools, check watering and sunlight needs, and follow step-by-step planting instructions.
TPFW says the app sends reminders for watering and pruning, and even gives freeze alerts so you can protect new plants during cold snaps.
If you want to buy native plants, Wild Thumb lists nearby nurseries that carry them. The instructions are written for beginners, so you can follow along even if you haven’t gardened before.
The Wild Thumb app is free on both the App Store and Google Play.
Why was the Wild Thumb app created?
Wild Thumb was developed as part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Pollinators and Prairies program, which encourages Texans to plant native species that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
TPWF’s Director of Development & Conservation Programs, Julie Shaddox, said the app was built to make native gardening more accessible for people who want to help but don’t know where to start.
“Wild Thumb takes the guesswork out of native gardening so that anyone in Texas—no matter where they live or how much space they have—can be part of the pollinator solution,” Shaddox said in a news release. “Most people don’t realize that many of our native pollinators, including the American bumblebee, are in decline. By planting even a few native plants, Texans can make a tangible difference in restoring the critical habitat these species depend on.”
What is the Pollinators and Prairies program?
The Pollinators and Prairies program launched in 2024 to help strengthen pollinator populations across Texas.
TPFW works with partners to increase native planting, fund research tracking pollinator health, and provide seed and equipment support to landowners.
The program also focuses on community outreach, so people can learn how native plants fit into a healthy yard or garden.
TPFW says small planting projects, even in a patio pot or front yard bed, can add up across the state and give pollinators more places to survive.
