While it may not seem like it, there are actually many types of green flowers. Green flowers are available in every shade and hardiness, and you’re sure to find options to add a unique touch to your garden. If you’re looking to learn more about green flowers, here are 24 of the best options available to you.
1. Bells of Ireland
Bells of Ireland are long-lasting annual plants commonly used in both St. Patrick’s Day and wedding bouquets. Despite their name, these plants are native to Asia and are also known as shellflowers. They get their name from the green of the flowers and leaves.
These plants are relatively easy to care for as long as you don’t live in an area that sees hot and humid summers. As they don’t re-bloom after their first season, they can be removed, and you can use the area to regrow them or to grow other plants. In floriography, they symbolize good luck.
2. Green Goddess Calla Lily
Calla lilies are tall plants that feature a single trumpet-shaped flower. Despite their name, they aren’t actually lilies – lilies are part of the genus Lilium, while callas are part of the genus Zantedeschia.
These perennials are available in a range of colors, and one of the green calla varieties is the Green Goddess. Depending on the culture, these flowers can be symbolic of fertility, sexuality, or death.
3. Carnation
Though a member of the dianthus family, carnations are well known for their own merits. These flowers are commonly used in perfumery and floral arrangements.
Though they are naturally available in a range of colors, including green, white carnations are also occasionally dyed numerous colors to add to their color variety. In floriography, these flowers represent love and captivation.
4. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums blooms are prized for their ability to brighten up gardens even when other flowers have stopped blooming and are great seasonal flowers.
They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 and are native to Asia and Europe. However, if you have pets, be careful of growing them, as they can be toxic to animals when consumed. These flowers represent faithfulness and joy.
5. Clematis Florida Alba Plena
Better known as the Clematis Florida Plena or the Alba Plena, these flowers are a variety of the Clematis Florida. They bloom in the summer and autumn and are known for their tall stalks and large blooms.
They are semi-evergreen plants with flowers that often take on a greenish tinge as they grow older. The clematis symbolizes wisdom and ingenuity.
Native to South and Central America, Asia, and Africa, the cockscomb is a great low-maintenance plant that enjoys the sun and warmth and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12.
6. Cockscomb
Though it grows best in the warmth, its low maintenance nature means you can still propagate it in colder climates. These plants have large, cheerful flowers and symbolize affection, strength, courage, and silliness.
7. Cymbidium Orchid
Also known as boat orchids, these orchids are native to the Himalayas and are relatively easy to grow. They are a great option to grow in containers or hanging baskets and need partial shade to grow well.
Because they are cold-tolerant, they are popular in colder areas of the world and are a great way of adding cheer to your house in the winter. These orchids represent respect, friendship, morality, and virtue.
8. Dahlia
Available in numerous colors, including green, dahlias are members of the Asteraceae or daisy family. These cheerful flowers are popular in floral bouquets and arrangements and are common in flower vases around the world.
They do best in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11 and are not suited to extremely hot climates. These autumnal flowers symbolize steadfastness, kindness, and commitment.
9. Daylily
A beautiful, low-maintenance flower, the daylily grows best in hardiness zones 4-9. Despite its name, the daylily is not actually a lily but a member of the genus Hemerocallis.
The flower gets its name not only from its resemblance to a lily but also from the fact that these flowers only last a single day in the wild. These flowers represent flirtatiousness, the forgetting of worries, and devotion.
10. Dianthus
Commonly known as pinks, dianthus flowers are often grown in gardens and as potted plants at home. These spicy fragranced flowers are also known as Sweet Williams and are available in numerous colors. Some green varieties include the Green Ball and Green Trick.
This flower symbolizes gratitude, affection, and admiration.
11. Flowering Tobacco
Popular for its strong, attractive scent, the flowering tobacco plant is particularly fragrant after the sun goes down. It features star-shaped flowers that are easy to grow in the right conditions, and while they’re mostly active at night, they still benefit from full sunlight.
Keep in mind that while these blooms look lovely, they’re also poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets. This plant symbolizes healing and spirituality due to tobacco’s use in many Native American spiritual ceremonies.
12. Gerbera
Also known as the Transvaal daisy, the gerbera is native to South Africa. It’s related to the common daisy, being from the same family (Asteraceae).
It can be grown in gardens and as houseplants, though the ease of growing them depends on location. As a houseplant, it can be challenging to grow. These lovely flowers represent loyal love, innocence, and cheerfulness.
13. Gladiolus
Sometimes known as the sword lily, the gladiolus is actually a member of the iris family. The flowers are relatively large, growing to be several inches across.
They do best in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11, and some larger varieties may need to be staked to keep them from falling over. These flowers represent the strength of character, honor, and remembrance.
14. Hellebores
Hellebores bloom in the late winter, making them a gorgeous sight when the world is still chilly and occasionally even snowy.
However, like flowering tobacco, these flowers are poisonous when ingested, and you should ensure that children and pets are kept at a distance. These easy-to-maintain plants symbolize both peace and anxiety, an understandable dichotomy for a flower that is both beautiful and poisonous.
15. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas grow on shrubs and feature large, beautiful flowers that make them popular not only as garden plants but also as cut flowers and as part of floral arrangements. There are several species of hydrangea, and some that feature green blooms include Hydrangea serrata and Hydrangea paniculata. These flowers symbolize beauty and grace, and green hydrangeas, in particular, mean good fortune, health, and prosperity.
16. Jack in the Pulpit
Also known as the India turnip and bog onion, the Jack in the Pulpit is a perennial plant with a uniquely shaped, hooded flower. This plant prefers acidic soil and needs lots of shade to grow well. However, it must be treated with care since it is poisonous when ingested and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
This plant has plenty of religious significance, especially in ancient Roman religion, where it was known as “Janus’s Plant.” For this reason, it symbolizes spirituality.
17. Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is a perennial plant that features green flowers and is native to Europe. It is easy to care for, making it a popular garden plant. However, its self-seeding nature means that it may occasionally grow out of control and need to be deadheaded to keep from spreading too much. This plant is linked to the Virgin Mary, which is where it gets its name from, and is also representative of spirituality.
18. Mediterranean Spurge
Also known as the Albanian spurge, the Mediterranean spurge is a flowering sub-shrub native to (as its name implies) the Mediterranean. This plant flowers in the spring and features green flowers without petals. It does best in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9. The flowers of this plant symbolize protection and wisdom.
19. Rosa
It’s true – roses aren’t just limited to bright reds, pinks, and yellows; they are also available in green! These enormously popular flowers love the sun and are available in hundreds of varieties, so make sure you choose a variety known for its green coloring, like the Green Tea or Jade.
While red roses symbolize true love, green roses are symbolic of hope, healing, and growth. This makes them a popular flower to gift at the start of a new relationship.
20. Scabiosa
Also known as pincushion flowers, scabiosa flowers are small perennial wildflowers that are easy to grow and maintain. Scabiosa flowers do best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7 and help attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
Available in many colors, they also look attractive as cut flowers and in floral bouquets, acting as a great way to fill out a bouquet. These flowers represent both pure love and unfortunate love.
21. Spider Mum
Spider mums are a member of the chrysanthemum family. Thanks to the plant’s large flowers and curved petals, they’re a great way of adding variety to your garden landscape. These perennials can also be grown as potted plants. They help liven up your home, and their unusual appearance is a great conversation starter.
Because of their unique looks, these plants are also a popular part of wedding bouquets. They represent liveliness and sympathy, and joy. Furthermore, this plant has spiritual significance in some cultures, and in Greek culture, it can be used as protection against evil spirits.
22. Tropical Lady’s Slipper Orchid
Easy to grow and maintain, tropical lady’s slipper orchids are considered some of the best beginner orchids to grow, especially if you’re not experienced in taking care of some of the more temperamental members of the orchid family.
These unique flowers are thought to be shaped like a lady’s slipper, giving them their name. Aside from being popular among orchid growers, they are also extremely popular as cut flowers representing joy, love, admiration, and capricious beauty.
23. Tulip
Best known as the national flower of the Netherlands, these colorful flowers are popular worldwide for their classic and iconic beauty. They are native to Central Asia and were the symbol of the Ottomans. However, they are easy to grow around the world, especially as potted flowers.
Tulips do best in USDA hardiness zones 1 to 7. They symbolize deep and unconditional love.
24. Zinnia
Zinnias are annual flowers native to North and South America and are extremely easy to grow. These flowers are some of the best options if you’re hoping to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.
Zinnias do best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10. The flowers of this genus (which features over 20 species) range in size and shape and require well-draining soil to grow well. They represent lasting affection, remembrance (especially of a friend you haven’t seen in some time), and friendship.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter whether you have a green thumb or prefer easy-to-grow flowers that don’t require much maintenance – there are green flowers for everyone out there. No matter which of these flowers you choose for your garden, you’re sure to have a showstopper on your hands!