Flowers That Start With C
Discover 148+ flowers beginning with C — their names, meanings, origins, and unique characteristics.
Cabbage Rose
Rosa centifolia, known for its dense, globular blooms with hundreds of petals, originating from the Caucasus region and prized for its intense fragrance.
Cacao
Theobroma cacao produces small, star-shaped white or pink flowers directly on the trunk, native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Cactus Dahlia
A specific cultivar group of Dahlia featuring fully double flowers with long, narrow, pointed, and often twisted petals in a wide array of vibrant colors.
Caladium
Grown primarily for its heart-shaped, multi-colored foliage, these tropical plants from South America produce small, inconspicuous spathe-and-spadix flowers.
Calamondin
Citrus microcarpa features fragrant, star-shaped white blossoms that eventually develop into small, edible orange fruits, commonly grown as an ornamental houseplant.
Calendula
Also known as Pot Marigold, this hardy annual features bright orange or yellow daisy-like flowers and is native to the Mediterranean region.
Calibrachoa
Often called Million Bells, these trailing plants produce masses of small, petunia-like flowers in nearly every color, native to South America.
Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica is an elegant, trumpet-shaped flower native to southern Africa, often symbolizing purity and rebirth in floral arrangements.
Calliandra
Commonly known as Powder Puff, this tropical shrub features spectacular, fluffy, brush-like flowers in shades of red, pink, or white.
Calluna vulgaris
Known as Common Heather, this low-growing shrub produces spikes of tiny, bell-shaped purple or pink flowers, native to Europe and Asia Minor.
Calochortus
Commonly called Mariposa Lily, these striking wildflowers are native to western North America and feature intricate, bowl-shaped petals with hairy centers.
Caltha palustris
Known as Marsh Marigold, this moisture-loving perennial produces bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers in early spring across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Calycanthus
Also called Carolina Allspice, this shrub produces unique, spicy-scented, dark maroon flowers that resemble water lilies, native to North America.
Camellia japonica
An iconic evergreen shrub native to East Asia, producing exquisite, rose-like flowers in shades of white, pink, and red during the winter months.
Camellia sasanqua
A species of Camellia that blooms in autumn, featuring delicate, fragrant flowers and glossy leaves, widely cultivated in gardens for its winter color.
Campanula
Commonly known as Bellflower, this genus contains hundreds of species producing charming, bell-shaped blue, purple, or white flowers in temperate regions.
Campsis radicans
Known as Trumpet Vine, this vigorous climber produces clusters of large, tubular, orange-red flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
Canna Lily
A tropical perennial with large, paddle-shaped leaves and vibrant, exotic flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow, native to the Americas.
Canterbury Bells
Campanula medium is a biennial plant known for its large, bell-shaped flowers that resemble the cups used by medieval Canterbury pilgrims.
Cape Jasmine
Gardenia jasminoides is a shrub famous for its intensely fragrant, creamy white flowers and glossy, dark green foliage, native to East Asia.
Cape Primrose
Streptocarpus is a popular houseplant producing elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, native to South Africa.
Caper Bush
Capparis spinosa produces beautiful, large white flowers with prominent purple stamens, native to the Mediterranean and famous for its edible flower buds.
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis is a striking North American wildflower featuring intense, scarlet-red, tubular flowers that grow on tall spikes in damp areas.
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus is a classic, ruffled flower available in many colors, symbolizing fascination and love, and widely used in the floral industry.
Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens is a fragrant, evergreen vine native to the southeastern United States, producing bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers in early spring.
Carpet Rose
A popular series of low-maintenance, disease-resistant roses that grow in a spreading habit, producing masses of small flowers throughout the growing season.
Caryopteris
Also known as Bluebeard, this deciduous shrub produces clouds of tiny, deep blue or violet flowers in late summer, attracting many pollinators.
Cassia
A genus of flowering plants in the legume family, often called Senna, producing showy, bright yellow, pea-like flowers in tropical and subtropical regions.
Castor Bean
Ricinus communis produces unique, spiky, reddish-brown flower clusters, though it is primarily grown for its dramatic, large, tropical-looking foliage.
Catalpa
A tree known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and spectacular, orchid-like, white flowers with yellow and purple markings, native to North America.
Catananche caerulea
Known as Cupid's Dart, this perennial features papery, cornflower-blue blooms and was historically used in ancient love potions in Greece.
Catharanthus roseus
Commonly called Madagascar Periwinkle, this plant produces simple, five-petaled flowers in shades of pink, white, or red throughout the warm season.
Cattleya
Often called the Queen of Orchids, this genus is famous for its large, showy, and highly fragrant flowers, native to Central and South America.
Cauliflower
While grown as a vegetable, it is a member of the Brassicaceae family and produces small, yellow, cruciferous flowers if left to bolt.
Ceanothus
Known as California Lilac, this shrub produces dense, showy clusters of tiny, fragrant, sky-blue flowers, native to North America.
Celandine Poppy
Stylophorum diphyllum is a woodland wildflower with bright yellow, four-petaled flowers and deeply lobed leaves, native to eastern North America.
Celosia
Known for its unique, flame-like or brain-shaped flower heads in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, often called Cockscomb or Woolflower.
Centaurea cyanus
Commonly known as Cornflower or Bachelor's Button, this annual features intense blue, fringed flowers that were once common in European grain fields.
Centranthus ruber
Known as Red Valerian, this hardy perennial produces dense clusters of small, star-shaped, fragrant flowers in shades of red, pink, or white.
Cephalotus
The Albany Pitcher Plant produces small, inconspicuous, creamy-white flowers on a tall stalk, though it is primarily known for its carnivorous traps.
Cerastium
Commonly called Snow-in-Summer, this low-growing perennial produces a carpet of small, white, star-shaped flowers, native to Europe and Asia.
Ceratostigma
Known as Plumbago or Leadwort, this plant features intense, cobalt-blue flowers and often displays brilliant red foliage in the autumn.
Cercis
The Redbud tree is famous for its profusion of small, pea-like, rosy-pink flowers that bloom directly on the bare branches in early spring.
Cestrum
Known as Day-Blooming or Night-Blooming Jasmine, these shrubs produce clusters of tubular flowers that are often intensely fragrant, especially at night.
Chaenomeles
Commonly known as Flowering Quince, this shrub produces brilliant, waxy flowers in shades of red, pink, or white on thorny, leafless stems.
Chamaecyparis
While primarily a conifer, it produces small, inconspicuous cones that are sometimes mistaken for flowers, native to North America and East Asia.
Chamaemelum nobile
Known as Roman Chamomile, this low-growing herb produces small, daisy-like flowers with a pleasant, apple-like scent, used for tea and medicine.
Chamelaucium
Commonly called Geraldton Wax, this Australian native shrub features long-lasting, waxy, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.
Chasmanthe
A genus of cormous perennials from South Africa, producing tall spikes of vibrant, tubular, orange-red flowers that attract nectar-feeding birds.
Checkerbloom
Sidalcea is a genus of North American wildflowers that resemble miniature hollyhocks, featuring spikes of pink or white, saucer-shaped flowers.
Chelone
Commonly known as Turtlehead, this perennial produces unique, hooded flowers that resemble the head of a turtle, native to North America.
Cherry Blossom
The iconic flowers of the Prunus genus, particularly Prunus serrulata, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life and the beauty of spring in Japan.
Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium is an herb that produces delicate, lacy umbels of tiny white flowers, often used in French cuisine for its mild flavor.
Chilean Bellflower
Lapageria rosea is the national flower of Chile, featuring large, waxy, bell-shaped, rose-pink flowers that hang from climbing vines.
Chimaphila
Known as Pipsissewa, this woodland plant produces nodding, waxy, white or pinkish flowers, native to the temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere.
Chinese Lantern
Physalis alkekengi is grown for its papery, bright orange-red calyx that encloses the fruit, resembling a glowing paper lantern in the garden.
Chinese Primrose
Primula sinensis is a popular indoor plant featuring clusters of ruffled, colorful flowers and soft, hairy leaves, native to China.
Chionodoxa
Commonly known as Glory-of-the-Snow, these tiny, star-shaped blue or white flowers emerge through the snow in early spring, native to Turkey.
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum produces edible, globe-shaped, lavender-purple flower heads that are as beautiful as they are tasty in salads.
Chlorophytum comosum
The Spider Plant produces small, white, star-shaped flowers on long, arching stems, though it is mostly kept for its variegated, grassy foliage.
Chocolate Cosmos
Cosmos atrosanguineus is a unique species with deep, velvety, dark maroon flowers that emit a distinct scent of chocolate and vanilla.
Chokeberry
Aronia produces clusters of small, white, five-petaled flowers in spring, followed by dark, astringent berries, native to North America.
Cholla
Cylindropuntia is a type of cactus that produces beautiful, waxy, yellow, pink, or red flowers, native to the deserts of the Americas.
Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii is a popular holiday plant featuring segmented stems and vibrant, tubular, pink or red flowers that bloom in winter.
Christmas Rose
Helleborus niger is a winter-blooming perennial with large, white, cup-shaped flowers that appear even when the ground is covered in snow.
Chrysanthemum
A diverse genus of flowers originating from Asia, symbolizing longevity and joy, with thousands of cultivars ranging from daisy-like to pom-pom shapes.
Cigar Flower
Cuphea ignea is a tropical subshrub with small, tubular, orange-red flowers tipped with white and black, resembling a lit cigar.
Cineraria
Pericallis × hybrida is a popular bedding plant known for its intense, daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of blue, purple, and magenta.
Cinquefoil
Potentilla is a genus of hardy shrubs and perennials with five-petaled, rose-like flowers in shades of yellow, white, or red.
Cistus
Commonly known as Rock Rose, these Mediterranean shrubs produce delicate, crinkled, white or pink flowers that last for only a single day.
Citrus
The flowers of orange, lemon, and lime trees are intensely fragrant, waxy, white, and star-shaped, symbolizing purity and fertility.
Clarkia
Named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, these North American wildflowers feature ruffled, delicate petals in shades of pink and purple.
Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea is a biennial herb with large, hairy leaves and spikes of pale blue or pink flowers, prized for its aromatic essential oils.
Claytonia
Known as Miner's Lettuce, this plant produces tiny, white or pink flowers, and its leaves were historically eaten by gold miners for nutrition.
Clematis
A genus of vigorous climbing vines known for their spectacular, large, star-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors and forms.
Cleome
Commonly known as Spider Flower, this plant produces large, airy clusters of flowers with long, spindly stamens that resemble spider legs.
Clerodendrum
A genus of tropical shrubs and vines, often called Bleeding Heart Vine, featuring unique, two-toned flowers with white calyxes and red corollas.
Clethra
Known as Summersweet, this shrub produces spikes of highly fragrant, white or pink flowers in late summer, native to North America.
Clianthus
Known as Glory Pea, this plant features striking, bright red, claw-shaped flowers, native to New Zealand and highly distinctive in appearance.
Clivia
A shade-loving, evergreen perennial from South Africa, producing clusters of trumpet-shaped, orange or yellow flowers in late winter and spring.
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum produces small, pale yellow flowers in clusters, though it is primarily cultivated for its dried, aromatic flower buds used as spice.
Clover
Trifolium is a genus of legumes producing small, dense, rounded flower heads in white, pink, or red, often found in meadows and lawns.
Cobaea scandens
Known as Cup-and-Saucer Vine, this climber produces large, bell-shaped, purple or white flowers surrounded by a leafy, saucer-like calyx.
Cockscomb
Celosia cristata is a fascinating flower with a velvety, brain-like or crested texture, available in brilliant shades of red, pink, and yellow.
Codonopsis
Known as Bellflower of the Himalayas, this genus features nodding, bell-shaped flowers with intricate, mottled patterns inside the petals.
Coffea
Coffee plants produce small, intensely fragrant, star-shaped white flowers that look like jasmine and precede the development of coffee cherries.
Colchicum
Often called Autumn Crocus, these flowers emerge from the ground in autumn without leaves, featuring large, goblet-shaped, lavender-pink blooms.
Coleus
While grown for its colorful foliage, it produces spikes of small, blue or white, tubular flowers that are attractive to bees and butterflies.
Collinsia
Commonly known as Blue-eyed Mary, this North American wildflower features two-toned, blue and white flowers that resemble a small face.
Columbine
Aquilegia is a perennial known for its unique, spurred, bell-like flowers that come in a vast array of colors and bicolors.
Columnea
Known as Goldfish Plant, this trailing tropical plant produces tubular, orange-red flowers that look remarkably like swimming goldfish.
Comfrey
Symphytum is a medicinal herb producing clusters of small, nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, cream, or purple.
Coneflower
Echinacea is a popular perennial with a prominent, spiky, central cone surrounded by drooping, daisy-like petals, native to North America.
Consolida
Commonly known as Larkspur, this annual produces tall, elegant spikes of spurred, blue, pink, or white flowers, closely related to Delphinium.
Convallaria majalis
Known as Lily of the Valley, this plant produces tiny, intensely fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers on arching stems in late spring.
Convolvulus
A genus of morning-glory-like plants producing funnel-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white, often used as ground cover.
Coral Bells
Heuchera is a garden favorite grown for its colorful, ruffled foliage and tall, slender spikes of tiny, bell-shaped flowers.
Coral Vine
Antigonon leptopus is a fast-growing tropical vine producing masses of small, bright pink or white flowers in heart-shaped clusters.
Coreopsis
Also known as Tickseed, this cheerful, daisy-like wildflower is native to North America and produces abundant yellow, orange, or red flowers.
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum produces delicate, lacy umbels of tiny white or pale pink flowers, followed by seeds used as a popular culinary spice.
Corn Cockle
Agrostemma githago is a slender, elegant wildflower with large, saucer-shaped, magenta-pink flowers, once common in European wheat fields.
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus is a classic cottage garden flower with intense, electric-blue, fringed blooms that are easy to grow from seed.
Cornus
The Dogwood tree is famous for its large, showy, white or pink bracts that surround the tiny, inconspicuous true flowers in spring.
Coronilla
Known as Crown Vetch, this plant produces clusters of small, fragrant, pea-like yellow flowers, often used for erosion control.
Correa
Known as Australian Fuchsia, this shrub produces tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, or cream, native to Australia.
Corydalis
A genus of woodland plants with delicate, fern-like foliage and spikes of unique, tubular flowers in shades of blue, yellow, or purple.
Corylopsis
Known as Winter Hazel, this shrub produces drooping, fragrant, yellow, bell-shaped flowers on bare branches in late winter.
Cosmos
A genus of daisy-like flowers in the Aster family, known for their airy, ferny foliage and vibrant, long-lasting blooms in many colors.
Costus
Known as Spiral Ginger, this tropical plant produces dramatic, cone-shaped flower heads with colorful, waxy bracts and delicate, papery flowers.
Cotoneaster
A genus of shrubs known for their small, white or pink, five-petaled flowers, followed by bright red berries that persist into winter.
Cotton
Gossypium produces large, hibiscus-like flowers that change color from white or yellow to pink as they age, before developing into cotton bolls.
Cotula
Known as Brass Buttons, this low-growing plant produces tiny, yellow, button-like flower heads, often used in rock gardens.
Crabapple
Malus species produce a profusion of fragrant, white, pink, or red blossoms in spring, followed by small, colorful, decorative fruits.
Crambe
A genus of plants known for their massive, cloud-like sprays of tiny, white, honey-scented flowers that make a dramatic garden statement.
Cranesbill
Geranium is a genus of hardy perennials with saucer-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue, distinct from the tender Pelargonium.
Crassula
A genus of succulents, including the Jade Plant, which produces clusters of small, star-shaped, white or pink flowers in late winter.
Crataegus
Known as Hawthorn, this tree produces clusters of fragrant, white or pink, rose-like flowers in spring, followed by small, red berries.
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial that produces a carpet of star-shaped, pink, purple, or white flowers in spring.
Creeping Zinnia
Sanvitalia procumbens is a ground-hugging plant with small, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom continuously throughout the summer.
Crinum
A genus of large, bulbous plants producing spectacular, lily-like, fragrant flowers on tall, sturdy stalks, native to tropical regions.
Crocosmia
A cormous perennial from South Africa, producing arching sprays of vibrant, tubular, orange or red flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
Crocus
One of the first flowers of spring, these small, cup-shaped blooms in shades of purple, yellow, and white emerge from corms in early spring.
Crossandra
Known as Firecracker Flower, this tropical plant produces spikes of vibrant, salmon-orange, fan-shaped flowers against glossy, dark green leaves.
Crotalaria
Known as Rattlepod, this genus produces spikes of bright yellow, pea-like flowers, often used as a green manure crop in tropical regions.
Crowea
An Australian native shrub with star-shaped, waxy, pink or white flowers that bloom for a long period, often used in floral arrangements.
Crown Imperial
Fritillaria imperialis is a striking bulbous plant with a ring of large, bell-shaped, orange or yellow flowers topped by a tuft of leaves.
Crown of Thorns
Euphorbia milii is a succulent shrub with thorny stems and small, long-lasting, bright red or pink flowers that bloom year-round.
Crucianella
Known as Crosswort, this plant produces dense, terminal spikes of tiny, tubular, yellow or pink flowers, native to the Mediterranean.
Cryptanthus
Known as Earth Star, this bromeliad produces small, white, star-shaped flowers in the center of its colorful, rosette-forming leaves.
Cuckoo Flower
Cardamine pratensis is a delicate, pale lilac-flowered perennial that grows in damp meadows, often appearing when the cuckoo bird begins to call.
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus produces bright yellow, star-shaped flowers that are essential for fruit production in the vegetable garden.
Cudweed
Gnaphalium is a genus of plants with small, woolly, silvery foliage and tiny, inconspicuous, yellowish flower heads, often used in dried arrangements.
Cup and Saucer Vine
Cobaea scandens is a fast-growing climber with large, bell-shaped, purple or white flowers that are surrounded by a leafy, saucer-like calyx.
Cuphea
A diverse genus of plants, including the Cigar Flower and Bat-faced Cuphea, known for their unique, tubular, and often colorful flowers.
Cupid's Dart
Catananche caerulea is a perennial with papery, cornflower-blue, daisy-like flowers, historically used in love charms in ancient Greece.
Curcuma
A genus of ginger-like plants producing stunning, architectural, pink or white flower spikes that are popular in tropical gardens and floral design.
Currant
Ribes species produce drooping clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, pink, or red, followed by edible berries.
Cushion Bush
Leucophyta brownii is grown for its silvery, coral-like foliage, though it produces tiny, yellow, button-like flowers in summer.
Cushion Mum
A type of Chrysanthemum that grows in a low, rounded, mound-like habit, covered in a profusion of daisy-like flowers in autumn.
Cushion Pink
Silene acaulis is a high-alpine plant that forms a dense, moss-like cushion covered in tiny, bright pink, star-shaped flowers.
Cyclamen
A genus of tuberous perennials known for their unique, reflexed, butterfly-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and red, blooming in cooler weather.
Cydonia
The Quince tree produces large, beautiful, pale pink or white, rose-like flowers in spring, followed by fragrant, edible yellow fruits.
Cymbidium
A popular genus of orchids known for their long-lasting, waxy, and often fragrant flowers, available in a wide range of colors.
Cynara
The Artichoke plant produces large, thistle-like, purple flower heads that are edible if harvested before the flowers fully open.
Cynoglossum
Known as Chinese Forget-Me-Not, this plant produces sprays of intense, sky-blue, five-petaled flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators.
Cypripedium
Known as Lady's Slipper, this genus of hardy orchids features a unique, pouch-like labellum and is highly prized by collectors.
Cyrtanthus
Known as Fire Lily, this South African bulb produces clusters of tubular, bright red or orange flowers, often blooming after wildfires.
Cytisus
Known as Broom, this shrub is covered in a profusion of small, pea-like, yellow, white, or red flowers in late spring.
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