Are there any flowers that start with X?

Last Updated on March 27, 2022 by Derek

There is a good number of flowers that start with X, and you can choose to include them in your garden. Although most people are stumped when asked to name some of these flowers, they do exist.

Some of the examples include Xylobium, Xyris, and Xerophyllum among others that you will find in this blog.

Flowers are less well-known for their biological properties that promote plant reproduction, and most gardeners plant flowers and shrubs for the beauty they add to the environment.

List of Flowers That Start With X

Below is a list of different names of flowers that begin with the letter X. With a focus on popular and easy-to-grow varieties:

• Xylobium – Abbreviated as Xyl, Xylobium is a genus of plants in the Orchidaceae family. It is native to tropical America and has around 35 species.
• Xyris – Xyris is a genus of grasses in the yellow-eyed grass family.
• Xanthoceras Sorbifolium – Commonly known as the yellow horn tree, this plant is a species of the soapberry family. The plant is native to northern China.
• Xylosma – Xylosma belongs to the willow family of flowering plants. It has around 100 species of shrubs and trees that are evergreen.
• Xyris difformis – This is a North American species of flowering plant. It originates from eastern, central, and southern America.
• Xerochrysum – This plant is a genus of plants native to Australia and is commonly known as Strawflower.
• Xerophyllum – The plant is native to North America and is a gene of the Melanthiaceae family.
• Xanthisma – Also known as Sleepy-daisy. Xanthisma is a genus of the Sunflower family.
• Xeranthemum – Native to southern Europe, Xeranthemum belongs to the Sunflower family. This plant is popular for its silvery flower heads with purple tubular flowers.

Xanthisma Flower Meaning

There are about ten species of Xanthisma, which is a member of the aster family. The genus name is derived from the Greek words “Xanthos” (yellow) and “ismos” (condition), which refers to the bright yellow florets.

The flowers are mostly yellow, but they can also be white or purple. The flower grows well in well-drained sandy soil with full or partial sun. It can also live in dry soil. Common names of Xanthisma include:

• Sleepy daisy (Xanthisma texanum)
• Slender Golden weed (Xanthisma gracile)
• Colorado tansyaster (Xanthisma coloradoense) 
• Rush –like Bristle weed (Xanthisma junceum)

Interesting facts about Xanthisma

Xanthisma represents endurance. Interestingly, this plant sleeps at night, and its petals open during the day and close at night, a process known as nyctinasty.

Furthermore, Xanthisma is drought tolerant and well-suited to xeriscaping, which is a method of gardening or landscaping that uses little or no water.

 Xanthoceras Sorbifolium Common Names

• Chinese Flowering Chestnut
• Popcorn shrub
• Yellowhorn
• Flowering Yellowhorn tree
• Golden horn
• Shiny leaf yellow horn

 Yellowhorn Tree Seeds

Yellowhorn is a deciduous shrub native to northern China. Although it is uncommon, it blooms well in various soil types but prefers dry loamy soil in full sunlight. At the same time, it can thrive in areas with hot summers and dry springs.

To achieve the best germination results, the first step will be to stratify the seeds by soaking them in water for 24 hours. Stratification is not required, but it does improve the germination process. Sow the seeds 3/8 inch deep, tamp the soil, and cover with mulch.

A gardener should also protect it from cold and frosty winds, as they stunt growth as the summer heat is required to stimulate flower production.

Tropical Plants That Start With X

Contrary to what you might expect, tropical plants thrive well in shadier environments. They are quite hardy, and most people prefer to grow them as house plants.

Some examples of plants that grow naturally in tropical climates include:

Plant Name	Characteristics
Xanthocercis zambesiaca	This is an evergreen tree that is ideal for large gardens. It has exceptional dark leaves and creamy white flowers.
Xanthophyllum	Xanthophyllum comes from the plant family Polygakalaceae. It has a genus of about 109 trees and shrubs.
Xanthosoma	Xanthosoma originates from the arum family called Araceae. It is widely cultivated in other tropical regions but it is native to tropical America.
Xerophyta	This plant is native to Africa, Madagascar and its genus in the family Velloziaceae.
Ximenia	This tree grows wild in Africa and produces edible fruits called Ximenia. It belongs to the genus of flowering plants called the Olacaceae family
Xylia	Xylia is native to Sub-Sahara Africa and Mainland Southeast Asia. It is a genus of flowering plants in the Fabaceae family.
Xylopia aethiopica	This evergreen aromatic tree is native to the lowland rain forest and grows up to 20m high. It belongs to the family Annonaceae.

Infographic: Tropical Plants That Start With X

Is Xanthosoma an Alocasia?

Xanthosoma is not an Alocasia, but in the gardening world, they are clumped together. Elephant ear is the name given to these herbaceous plants in the arum family (Araceae).

Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma belong to the same family hence having similar appearances and growth habits. Elephant ear is a term used to describe large-leaved tropical plants. 

Colocasia and Alocasia are native to Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, New Guinea, and Southern Asia. Xanthosoma, on the other hand, is native to tropical America.

If you intend to grow elephant ears, it is advisable to wait until the soil warms up as there will be no danger of frost. These plants prefer lots of moisture, and it is only sensible to plant them in a blog that is free of still water. They can also grow under normal garden moisture, but more moisture makes the leaves larger.

For an early start, do not grow elephant ears in cool soil. You can extend the growing season by starting early to produce larger leaves. If the frost date is nearer, start growing the plant 6 to 8 weeks before. This translates to potting up the plant, watering it, and moving it to a warmer location. As soon as the ground is frost-free, move the plant outside for more light and fresh air. 

Most gardeners love monster elephant years. Below are some of the tips that help to make them thrive:

• Keep the soil moist – dry soil slows growth.
• Fertilize them with appropriate fertilizers.
• Purchase large cultivars such as “Thailand Giant” and “Laosy Giant.”
• Begin early indoors.
• Take advantage of your elephant ears.

The following are some identification tips to help you tell the difference between the three tropical plants.

The features to look for are the leaf direction and the attachment point of the petiole to the leaf.

Details	Alocasia	Colocasia	Xanthosoma
Sun	Partly sunny	Full sunlight	Full sunlight
Water	Well-drained	A lot of moisture	High moisture
Leaf tip direction	Upward or horizontal	Downward	downward
Petiole attachment	Attachment is below the leaf notch	Attachment is below the leaf notch	Attachment is at the leaf notch
Leaf shape	Heart	heart	arrow

It is worth noting that the flower morphology of the three tropical plants varies greatly. Many Alocasia hybrids have downward-pointing leaves. Despite the fact that Alocasia and Colocasia were once thought to be the same genus, there is a microscopic difference between the female flowers.

In Colocasia, the placenta is found along the interior sides of the future berry. On the other hand, the placenta in Alocasia is basal, with many stems attached to it within the future berry.

Some of these tropical plants can be eaten, while others cannot.  Parts of Alocasia plants are not edible. Most varieties of Alocasia are poisonous and eating them could lead to death or food poisoning. On the other hand. Colocasia varieties are grown purposely from their edible tubers called Taro which is a critical food crop in Hawaii.

Xanthosoma ‘Mickey Mouse’

Xanthosoma “Mickey Mouse” are stunning tropical plants that are extremely difficult to find. They have large leaves with distinct variegation.

If you’re looking for a new centerpiece for your house plant collection, there’s no better choice than the “Mickey Mouse” house plant. When examining the plant closely, you will notice that each leaf has the shape of a mouse. Interestingly, each leaf has its own distinct pattern and color.

If properly cared for, these plants can grow to be quite large, especially in humid conditions with partial sunlight. These plants do not like direct sunlight because it causes their leaves to burn or die.

Although “Mickey Mouse” is commonly seen as a house plant, it can grow up to 6 feet tall.

Xanthosoma violaceum

The amazing plant Xanthosoma violaceum, also known as Blue Taro, is known for its striking dark purple stems with a blue sheen holding enormous, bold sagittate leaves. It also has striking purple leaves on the undersides of its foliage.

Despite its delicate nature, it is a robust aroid that grows to form a massive specimen with its stunning color combination. While the plant grows in the winter, water and feed it every 2 to 3 weeks.

Also, keep the plant indoors and dry during the winter to bloom the following summer again. If you live in a frost-free zone, grow the plant in fertile, well-drained, neutral, or slightly acidic soil. Avoid water-saturated conditions at all costs.

Other resources related to flowers that start with X:

Flowers starting with X

9 Flowers That Start With X (List of Flower Names X)

10 Cute Flowers That Start With X – Gardening Bank

List Of Flower Names X Y Z.