HEAT-LOVING FLOWERS For Texas Gardens

CHARACTERISTICS: Thrive in high temperatures and intense sunlight

WATER NEEDS: Low to moderate; efficient water use

BLOOM TIME: Extended flowering periods despite summer heat

RESILIENCE: Bounce back quickly after heat stress or drought

ORIGIN: Many native to Texas/Southwest or similar hot climates worldwide

 

OUTSTANDING HEAT-LOVING PERFORMERS:
The most successful flowering plants for hot Texas summers have evolved special adaptations to not just survive but thrive in high temperatures. These heat champions often feature reflective silvery or gray foliage, smaller leaf surface area, protective leaf hairs, specialized water storage tissues, or deep root systems. Unlike many garden plants that shut down flowering during intense heat, these varieties maintain blooming through the hottest months. Many are also drought-tolerant once established, creating a winning combination for Texas landscapes. These plants typically prefer full sun exposure and well-drained soils, performing best with infrequent but deep watering.

 

TOP HEAT-LOVING FLOWERING PLANTS:

Perennials & Subshrubs:

  • Lantana (Lantana species)
  • Autumn/Texas Sage (Salvia greggii)
  • Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)
  • Gaura/Whirling Butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri)
  • Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
  • Skullcap (Scutellaria species)
  • Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus)
  • Coneflower (Echinacea species)
  • Yellow Bells/Esperanza (Tecoma stans)

Annuals & Seasonal Color:

  • Vinca/Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
  • Purslane/Moss Rose (Portulaca species)
  • Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
  • Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
  • Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)
  • Zinnia (Zinnia species)
  • Cosmos (Cosmos species)
  • Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
  • Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)
  • Celosia (Celosia species)

Roses & Flowering Shrubs:

  • Knockout Roses (Rosa 'Radrazz')
  • 'Belinda's Dream' Rose (Rosa 'Belinda's Dream')
  • Firebush (Hamelia patens)
  • Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus)
  • Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)
  • Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
  • Cenizo/Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
  • Oleander (Nerium oleander)
  • Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea species)
  • Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

Care Tip: Even heat-loving plants benefit from mulch to moderate soil temperatures and conserve moisture. During extreme heat waves (100°F+), a deep morning watering once or twice a week is better than frequent light sprinklings, encouraging deeper root development and better heat resilience.