An alphabet garden isn't complete without flowers that start with Z! Zinnias are probably the most recognized flower in the Z category, but it's also home to ginger root, which produces a beautiful flower, and calla lilies.
Lots of Z flowers are toxic, so be careful what you put in gardens that children and pets have access to.
To learn more about the various flowers available for your garden, make sure to check out our list of “Flower Names A to Z”.
Flowers That Start With The Letter Z
Quick Look
- Zabel's Cherry Laurel
- Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)
- Zantedeschia elliottiana (Golden Calla)
- Zantedeschia rehmannii (Calla Lily)
- Zanthoxylum americanum (Prickly Ash)
- Zanthoxylum simulans (Flatspine Prickly Ash)
- Zauschneria (Hummingbird’s Trumpet)
- Zebra Plant
- Zenobia pulverulenta (Honeycup)
- Zephyr Flower
- Zephyranthes (Rainflower)
- Zephyranthes atamasco (Atamasca Lily)
- Zephyranthes drummondii (Evening Rain Lily)
- Zexmenia
- Zigadenus (Sandbog Death Camas)
- Zigadenus fremontii (Star Lily)
- Zigadenus leimanthoides (Pine Barren Death Camas)
- Zigadenus nuttallii (Nuttall’s Death Camas)
- Zingiber officinale (Common Ginger)
- Zinnia angustifolia (Mexican Zinnia)
- Zinnia elegans (Common Zinnia)
- Zinnia haageana (Haage Zinnia)
- Zinnia marylandica (Zinnia)
- Zygopetalum (Orchid)
- ZZ Plant
25 Unique Flowers That Start With Z
1. Zabel's Cherry Laurel
- Scientific name: Prunus laurocerasus “Zabeliana”
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: Up to 5 feet (1.5 meters)
- Lowest temperature: -10°F (-23.3°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: White
Better known as the cherry laurel, this plant is a flowering shrub often used for short privacy hedges.
2. Zantedeschia Aethiopica (Calla Lily)
- Scientific Name: Zantedeschia aethiopica
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade, dappled sunlight
- Water: Keep soil moist or wet
- Size: 2-3 feet (60-91 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: Medium
- Color: White
Calla lilies are native to Africa but can be grown as indoor plants in bright light.
3. Zantedeschia Elliottiana (Golden Calla)
- Scientific Name: Zantedeschia elliottiana
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 2-3 feet (60-91 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 20°F (-6°C)
- Toxicity: Medium
- Color: Orange, yellow
This variety of the calla lily likes slightly warmer temperatures and less water, although consistent moisture is important.
4. Zantedeschia Rehmannii (Calla Lily)
- Scientific Name: Zantedeschia rehmannii
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 1-1.5 feet (30-45 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: Medium
- Color: Pink
This calla lily variety is shorter and produces smaller flowers.
5. Zanthoxylum Americanum (Prickly Ash)
- Scientific Name: Zanthoxylum americanum
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 15-20 feet (4-6 meters)
- Lowest Temperature: -40°F (-40°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Yellow, green
The prickly ash is a small tree that can be pruned to be a privacy hedge. It’s tolerant of poor soil and cool temperatures, so it’s fairly easy to grow.
6. Zanthoxylum Simulans (Flatspine Prickly Ash)
- Scientific Name: Zanthoxylum simulans
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade, dappled sunlight
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 25-50 feet (7-15 meters)
- Lowest Temperature: -20°F (-28°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Green, white
The flatspine prickly ash grows small greenish-white flowers before they develop bright red berries.
7. Zauschneria (Hummingbird’s Trumpet)
- Scientific Name: Zauschneria
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Drought tolerant, keep soil dry
- Size: Up to 8 inches (20 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: -20°F (-28°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Red, Orange
This is a sun-loving plant that doesn’t need much water to survive. It can be overwintered with mulch in areas with cool winters.
8. Zebra Plant
- Scientific Name: Aphelandra squarrosa
- Sun: Partial shade, dappled sunlight
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters)
- Lowest Temperature: 40°F (4.4°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Yellow, gold
Since this plant is native to a hot climate, it’s usually grown indoors as a house plant in bright light.
9. Zenobia Pulverulenta (Honeycup)
- Scientific Name: Zenobia pulverulenta
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist or wet
- Size: 3-10 feet (0.91-3 meters)
- Lowest Temperature: -10°F (-23.3°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Cream, tan, white
Honeycup is a shrub that’s deciduous in cool climates but is evergreen where it’s warm. It can’t tolerate extreme heat or dry soil.
10. Zephyr Flower
- Scientific Name: Zephyranthes candida
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 6-12 inches (15-30 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 0°F (-17.7°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: White
The zephyr flower looks its best when it receives full sun and plenty of water. Bring it inside during the winter months.
11. Zephyranthes (Rainflower)
- Scientific Name: Zephyranthes
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 6-12 inches (15-30 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 0°F (-17.7°C)
- Toxicity: Low
- Color: Pink, yellow, gold, cream, tan, white
The bright blooms of the rainflower will bloom throughout summer and into fall. Bring them inside in the cold winter months to have them come back next year.
12. Zephyranthes Atamasco (Atamasca Lily)
- Scientific Name: Zephyranthes atamasco
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist or wet
- Size: 1-2 feet (30-60 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 0°F (-17.7°C)
- Toxicity: High, can be fatal if eaten
- Color: Pink, white
The atamasca lily looks like grass when it doesn’t have blooms, so it may be best to plant this in areas with a border fence to prevent them from getting mowed over.
13. Zephyranthes Drummondii (Evening Rain Lily)
- Scientific Name: Zephyranthes drummondii
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist, occasionally dry
- Size: 6-12 inches (15-30 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 0°F (-17.7°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Pink, white
The flowers of the evening rain lily usually appear a couple of days after it rains and will start as white and mature to pink.
14. Zexmenia
- Scientific Name: Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Drought tolerant, keep soil dry
- Size: 1-3 feet (30-91 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Orange, yellow
Zexmenia is native to the middle of Texas down to northern Mexico, where the weather is hot with limited rainfall. Too much water will cause these flowers to grow leggy.
15. Zigadenus (Sandbog Death Camas)
- Scientific Name: Zigadenus
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist, occasionally tolerant of wet or dry soils
- Size: 2-4 feet (60-121 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: High, can be fatal if eaten
- Color: Cream, tan, white
The Sandbog Death Camas isn’t typically sold in stores, so adding this to your garden may be a challenge.
16. Zigadenus Fremontii (Star Lily)
- Scientific Name: Zigadenus fremontii and Toxicoscordion fremontii
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Keep soil moist, tolerant of occasionally wet soil
- Size: 2-4 feet (60-121 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: Medium
- Color: Yellow, gold, cream, tan, white
The star lily is tolerant of heat as long as it receives plenty of water.
17. Zigadenus leimanthoides (Pine Barren Death Camas)
- Scientific Name: Zigadenus leimanthoides
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist or wet
- Size: 1-4 feet (30-121 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: High, can be fatal if eaten
- Color: Cream, white
This species of death camas may be tough to find if you want it in your garden.
18. Zigadenus Nuttallii (Nuttall’s Death Camas)
- Scientific Name: Zigadenus nuttallii
- Sun: Partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 1-3 feet (30-91 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 10°F (-12°C)
- Toxicity: High, can be fatal if eaten
- Color: White
This Zigadenus variety prefers more shade than most. All parts of the plant are toxic.
19. Zingiber Officinale (Common Ginger)
- Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale
- Sun: Partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 2-4 feet (60-121 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 20°F (-6°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Yellow, gold, green, cream, tan
Although it’s typically grown for its root, common ginger produces a beautiful flower that looks beautiful in flower beds or a container.
20. Zinnia Angustifolia (Mexican Zinnia)
- Scientific Name: Zinnia angustifolia
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Drought tolerant
- Size: 0.5-1.5 feet (15-45 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: -50°F (-45.5°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Pink, red, burgundy, orange, yellow, gold, white
Mexican zinnia is available in several colors and cultivars. There’s a variety for almost any climate.
21. Zinnia Elegans (Common Zinnia)
- Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Drought tolerant
- Size: 1-4 feet (30-121 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: -45°F (-42.7°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Pink, red, burgundy, orange, yellow, gold, green, purple, lavender, white
Zinnia elegans is a fluffy variety that comes in a rainbow of colors.
22. Zinnia Haageana (Haage Zinnia)
- Scientific Name: Zinnia haageana
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Drought tolerant
- Size: 1-1.5 feet (30-45 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: -50°F (-45.5°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Red, burgundy, orange, yellow, gold, purple, lavender, brown, copper
The Haage zinnia is a multicolored variety that stands out from the rest.
23. Zinnia Marylandica (Zinnia)
- Scientific Name: Zinnia marylandica
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 1-2 feet (30-60 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 40°F (4.4°C
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Pink, orange, yellow, white
Zinnia marlyandica is a Zinnia elegans and Zinnia angustifolia hybrid that requires more sun and water than most other varieties.
24. Zygopetalum (Orchid)
- Scientific Name: Zygopetalum
- Sun: Partial shade
- Water: Keep soil moist
- Size: 3-18 inches (7-45 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 20°F (-6°C)
- Toxicity: None
- Color: Green, purple, white, brown
Zygopetalum is a type of orchid that needs 50% humidity. If you grow it indoors in a container, repot it every two years.
25. ZZ Plant
- Scientific Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Sun: Partial shade, deep shade
- Water: Water deeply, allow to dry between waterings
- Size: 2-4 feet (60-121 centimeters)
- Lowest Temperature: 20°F (-6°C)
- Toxicity: Medium
- Color: Green, cream, tan, white
The ZZ plant is popular among beginner houseplant growers because it performs best when the soil is completely dry between waterings.
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