25 Unique Flowers That Start With Z

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”.

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