25 Plants That Start With K

We've seen adorable flowers starting with K, but if you're looking specifically for plants that start with K, we've got you sorted! There are more plant species with more variety than any of us could sit and dream up.

Here is just a selection of those flowers, bushes, and trees – all beginning with the letter ‘K.’

Quick Look

  1. Kaffir Lily
  2. Katsura
  3. Kamuro-zasa
  4. Kerry Lily
  5. King Solomon’s Seal
  6. Kentia Palm
  7. Kidney Vetch
  8. Kalmia
  9. Kalanchoe
  10. Kalimeris
  11. Korean Mint
  12. Kōwhai
  13. Kentucky Coffeetree
  14. Kale Plant
  15. Kaffir Lime Tree
  16. Keeled Garlic
  17. Knotweed
  18. Korean Rock Fern
  19. Knautia
  20. Kiwifruit
  21. Kidney Bean
  22. Kudu Lily
  23. Kumquat Tree
  24. Krigia Dandelion
  25. Kola Nut Tree

25 Plants That Start With K

1. Kaffir Lily

kaffir-lily

  • Common Name(s): Natal lily, Bush lily, Kaffir lily
  • Scientific Name: Clivia Miniata
  • Native to: South Africa and Eswatini

This woodland plant will grow in large clumps anywhere it is given warmth and shade. It releases a faint but very sweet perfume.

This plant can be seen in any older suburb across every Australian State. It is also popular in Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, China, and the US.

2. Katsura

katsura

  • Common Name(s): Katsura
  • Scientific Name: Cercidiphyllum
  • Native to: Japan and China

One of the largest hardwoods in Asia, these mighty trees can reach up to 148 ft (45m) in height.

In the fall the leaves release a deliciously sweet scent that has been described as smelling of caramel or Madeira cake and is known as Kuchenbaum or Lebkuchenbaum (“pie tree” or “gingerbread tree”) in Germany.

3. Kamuro-zasa

kamuro-zasa

  • Common Name(s): Kamuro-zasa
  • Scientific Name: Pleioblastus viridistriatus
  • Native to: Japan

This bamboo grass grows in thickets using underground rhizomes that spread in various directions.

This feature categorizes the plant as invasive. But, as it is also ornamental, it is commonly grown in gardens.

4. Kerry Lily

kerry-lily

  • Common Name(s): Simethis mattiazzi
  • Scientific Name: Kerry lily
  • Native to: Western Europe and Northern Africa

This flower is named after County Kerry in Ireland, the only site in the British Isles where it is found growing naturally.

The plant also inhabits grasslands and heaths across the Atlantic Belt of Europe, the Mediterranean, and scattered locations across Europe and Northern Africa.

5. King Solomon’s Seal

king-solomon’s-seal

  • Common Name(s): King Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Seal
  • Scientific Name: Polygonatum
  • Native to: The temperate Northern Hemisphere, with most species in Asia

The origin of the plant’s name is unknown, but it is suggested that it’s derived from the roots which bear resemblance to royal seals, or the similarity of the cut roots to Hebrew characters.

There are approximately 63 species, with around 20 endemic to China.

6. Kentia Palm

kentia-palm

  • Common Name(s): Kentia palm, Thatch palm, Palm court palm
  • Scientific Name: Howea forsteriana
  • Native to: Pacific Regions

This palm is relatively slow-growing but can reach up to 33 ft (10m). They have been historically popular in Britain as houseplants and were found in the first-class accommodations of the R.M.S. Titanic.

The species is considered vulnerable by the World Conservation Unit. Currently, they are grown on Lord Howe Island in Australia and exported as domestic potted plants.

7. Kidney Vetch

kidney-vetch

  • Common Name(s): Common kidneyvetch, Kidney vetch, Woundwort
  • Scientific Name: Anthyllis vulneraria
  • Native to: Europe

These small plants flower between June and October. They can be found in dry grasslands and rocky terrains.

The plant has been used as an ancient remedy for small complaints such as minor cuts and slow-healing wounds.

8. Kalmia

kalmia

  • Common Name(s): Kalmia
  • Scientific Name: Kalmia
  • Native to: North America

These flowers were named to honor the botanist Pehr Kalm, who collected them in North America during the 18th century.

They are unfortunately toxic to eat, with sheep being particularly affected. They should not be planted anywhere close to livestock.

9. Kalanchoe

kalanchoe

  • Common Name(s): Kalanchoe
  • Scientific Name: Kalanchoe
  • Native to: Madagascar and Tropical Africa

These flowers were among the first to be sent up to space. In 1979 a resupply to a Soviet space station contained them.

In traditional medicine, they have been used to treat rheumatism, inflammation, and infection.

10. Kalimeris

kalimeris

  • Common Name(s): Kalimeris
  • Scientific Name: Kalimeris
  • Native to: Northern Asia

This genus of the plant includes small flowers with yellow centers and white, pink, or purple petals.

11. Korean Mint

korean-mint

  • Common Name(s): Wrinkled giant hyssop, Purple giant hyssop, Korena mint, Indian mint, Blue licorice, Chinese patchouli
  • Scientific Name: Agastache rugosa
  • Native to: East Asia

This purple flower grows well in sunny conditions and wet, moist soil. In Chinese medicine, it is used to relieve nausea and vomiting.

12. Kōwhai

kōwhai

  • Common Name(s): Kōwhai
  • Scientific Name: Sophora microphylla
  • Native to: New Zealand

These bright yellow flowers are considered the unofficial flower of New Zealand. The word itself is derived from the Māori word for yellow.

They are often used as a symbol of the country. For instance, they were included in Meghan Markle’s wedding veil to represent New Zealand among the other Commonwealth countries.

13. Kentucky Coffeetree

kentucky-coffeetree

  • Common Name(s): Kentucky coffeetree
  • Scientific Name: Gymnocladus dioicus
  • Native to: North America

Named after the state of Kentucky, of which this was the state tree between 1976 and 1994.

These tall trees grow between 60 and 70 feet (18 to 21 meters) tall and you can find them decorating parks across Canada and the US.

14. Kale Plant

kale-plant

  • Common Name(s): Kale, Leaf cabbage
  • Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea
  • Native to: Eastern Mediterranean, Asia Minor

An ancient food, kale has been cultivated at least as far back as 2000 BCE among many varieties of curly-leaved lettuce.

Easy to grow, it was first used for decorative purposes in the United States until its nutritional value was realized in the 1990s.

15. Kaffir Lime Tree

kaffir-lime-tree

  • Common Name(s): Kaffir lime
  • Scientific Name: Citrus hystrix
  • Native to: Southern China

The Kaffir Lime’s name is derived from the Arabic kafir meaning infidel, although how the name came to be applied to the plant is unknown.

These days, the most common use is the fragrant leaves which are used for flavoring dishes across many cultures.

16. Keeled Garlic

keeled-garlic

  • Common Name(s): Keeled garlic, Witch’s garlic
  • Scientific Name: Allium carinatum
  • Native to: Mediterranean

This bulb is cultivated both for ornamental purposes and for use in cooking. The perennial plant produces beautiful deep pink and red flowers.

17. Knotweed

knotweed

  • Common Name(s): Knotweed, Smartweed—buckwheat
  • Scientific Name: Polygonaceae
  • Native to: North Temperate Areas

Mostly known as a highly invasive species, especially Japanese knotweed. The introduction of this plant has threatened native species across continents.

18. Korean Rock Fern

korean-rock-fern

  • Common Name(s): Korean Rock Fern
  • Scientific Name: Polystichum tsus-simense
  • Native to: East Asia

This beautiful small fern is highly popular as a decorative garden plant. Under the shade of trees, it grows well to cover exposed soil.

19. Knautia

knautia

  • Common Name(s): Knautia, Widow flower
  • Scientific Name: Caprifoliaceae
  • Native to: Europe

This perennial flower is a popular garden choice as it blooms for a long time and is easy to maintain. The flowers themselves range from white to deep pink.

20. Kiwifruit

kiwifruit

  • Common Name(s): Kiwifruit, Chinese gooseberry
  • Scientific Name: Actinidia deliciosa
  • Native to: Central and Eastern China

Well known for its small fruit with a sweet flavor and unique texture, the kiwi is most commonly associated with New Zealand.

But its origins actually go back to China, first mentioned during the Song dynasty in the 12th century.

21. Kidney Bean

kidney-bean

  • Common Name(s): Kidney bean
  • Scientific Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
  • Native to: North America

A variety of the common bean and named for its resemblance to the human kidney. They are widely grown as a good source of protein, folate, phosphorus, and iron.

22. Kudu Lily

kudu-lily

  • Common Name(s): Kudu lily
  • Scientific Name: Pachypodium saundersii,
  • Native to: Southern Africa

This beautiful flower is found in the Lebombo Mountains in scrubby bushes with short, sharp thorns. The annual flowers have a pink or purple tinge to them.

23. Kumquat Tree

kumquat-tree

  • Common Name(s): Kumquats, Cumquats
  • Scientific Name: Citrus japonica
  • Native to: Southern China

These evergreen shrubs grow slowly but produce small white flowers and a huge quantity of fruit when they mature. They are part of the citrus family but much hardier than other members such as oranges.

24. Krigia Dandelion

krigia-dandelion

  • Common Name(s): Krigia dandelion, Potato dwarfdandelion
  • Scientific Name: Krigia dandelion
  • Native to: North America

These bright yellow flowers are a part of the sunflower family and are grown widely across the southern states of America.

25. Kola Nut Tree

kola-nut-tree, plants that start with K

  • Common Name(s): Kola, Bitter Cola Tree, Kola Nut, Guru Nut, Gurru Nuts, Bissy Nuts
  • Scientific Name: Cola
  • Native to: Africa

Originally used as a cough remedy, this member of the cola family is now most commonly known for its use in carbonated drinks. However, brands such as Coca-Cola no longer use actual kola nut extract.