Plants That Start with Z

Last Updated on March 5, 2023 by Derek

Here is a list of all the plans that start with Z that we’ve featured in this article:

There’s a whole wide world on our doorstep full of nature. With so many plants on our luscious planet, it helps to categorize them to remember them easier.

You’d think that the letter Z would be a hard one to find, when it comes to plants beginning with the letter, however, you’d be surprised!

Video – Flowers that begin with the letter Z:

We’ve compiled a list together full of plants starting with Z to make things easier for you.

Zebra Plant

Zebra Plant

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zebra Plant	Aphelandra squarrosa	5.5 – 7.5	Well-draining, acidic	Bright, indirect light	9-11

Native to Brazil, the zebra plant succulent is a beautiful addition to have in your home with fragrant green leaves that boast pale white veins running along the surface. However, it may not be as easy as you think. A popular example of indoor plants that start with Z, the Zebra plant needs careful attention.

How do you take care of a zebra plant?

The zebra plant requires a higher humidity level than a lot of other plants, with 60 to 70%, and a temperature north of 60-degrees Fahrenheit. When cared for properly, this stunning plant can grow up to 2 feet tall indoors, and a whopping 6 feet tall outdoors.

When in full bloom, Zebra plant succulent flowers appear in bunches of bright yellow flowers. Although the plant isn’t poisonous, the sap from the zebra plant can irritate some people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Zamia

USDA

Does Zamia need sunlight?

The zamia is a type of tree that’s originally native to Mexico and has tendencies when it comes to its preferred temperature and light levels. Zamia cardboard palm has similar leaves to palm trees, known as pinnate leaves.

Rounded with a thick tuberous stem, Zamia leafs grow in opposing pairs of up to 12 on one stem. The zamia, a type of cardboard plant, has a slow growth rate and is recommended to be planted in spring.

Commonly kept as a houseplant, zamia plants belong to the Zamiaceae family with a trunk about 20 centimeters in broadness and height. The plant’s name comes from the Latin word  ‘zamia’, translated as ‘pine nut’, and ‘furfuracea’, translating to ‘mealy’ or ‘scruffy’.

Zamia

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zamia	Zamia furfuracea	6.0 – 7.0	Well-draining	Partial to full shade	9-11

Zinnia

Coming from the Asteraceae family, the zinnia flower is native to scrub and dry grassland in the southwestern areas of the US, stretching down to South America with a center of diversity in Mexico.

N.C. State Univ.

Is zinnia annual or perennial?

The zinnia belongs to a genus that’s very well-recognized for their long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors and beautiful petals. Known as an annual shrub, the desert zinnia usually blooms in summer and early fall, growing to be about 112 inches wide and 610 inches high.

Zinnia

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zinnia	Zinnia elegans	6.0 – 7.5	Well-draining, fertile	Full sun	3-10

Their leaves can mature to around 34 inches long. The most common Zinnia species are the desert zinnia, the narrow-leaf zinnia, the common zinnia, and the rocky mountain zinnia.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant usually grows best when they’re exposed to full-shade, partial-shade, and filtered light. Hailing from eastern Africa, this stemless plant will grow up to 3 feet long with bulbous-based leaves. The leaves will feature in six to eight pairs of glossy, dark green leaflets growing to about 6 inches long.

How do you care for a ZZ plant indoors?

Like the zamia plant, this cycad-looking plant is related to Philodendron and the peace lily. The ZZ plant makes an ideal houseplant because of its infrequent watering needs and its varying lighting levels. The ZZ plant flowers very rarely, so don’t hold your breath!

Iowa Edu.

ZZ plant propagation

ZZ plant care includes watering regularly, but make sure to allow the soil to dry between hydrating. In summer, it’s recommended to feed with diluted liquid fertilizer. It’s important to remember that the ZZ plant is poisonous and it’s recommended that you use gloves when handling the plant.

ZZ Plant

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zanzibar Gem	Zamioculcas zamiifolia	6.0 – 7.0	Well-draining	Low to bright indirect light	9-11

Keep in high places if choosing to have them in the house to keep away from pets and children.

Zantedeschia athipoica – African Gold Calla Lily

A lot of plants tend to rely on their scientific name in order, to begin with the letter Z. More commonly known as the African Gold Calla Lily, this plant grows with leaves of a wavy green pattern and rich white veins. The flower itself is white and has a yellow center, showing off a tall height.

Zantedeschia aethiopica – African Gold Calla Lily

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
African Gold Calla Lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica	6.0 – 6.5	Moist, well-draining	Partial shade to full sun	8-10

Will calla lily survive winter?

Growing to be 24 inches tall, this is a perfect houseplant for areas in the house with a higher temperature and high humidity. Native to South Africa, the dormancy of this plant is usually around winter, being suited best to high and moderate levels of light.

Also seen in a yellow presentation, this flower can cause severe discomfort if ingested, with the sap becoming irritating to skin and eyes. 

Zantedeschia – Picasso Calla Lily

Popular during the winter and fall seasons, the Picasso Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) can grow to be about 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Coming with a clump of large white, pointy leaves.

The clump is topped, starting in late May and continuing throughout the summer months. With up to twenty-four 30 inch long spikes, this flower shows off an inflorescence of purple with a wide white lip.

Zantedeschia

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Calla Lily	Zantedeschia	6.0 – 7.0	Moist, well-draining	Partial to full shade	8-11

How do you take care of Zantedeschia?

The best place to plant a calla lily is in the full light of the sun, getting the plant as much exposure as possible. However, in summer it’s important to keep the flower at a cool temperature with consistent moisture. Overwatering is easily done, with this flower needing a good balance between hydration and overwatering to prevent rot.

Zygopetalum – Orchids

The orchid is one of the most recognized and most popular species of plant on the planet.

Zygopetalum Orchids Growing Conditions

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zygopetalum Orchids	Zygopetalum spp.	5.5 – 6.5	Well-draining, aerated	Partial shade	9-12

How long do Zygopetalum flowers last?

Blooming up to four times a year, this flower is often used as a houseplant for its long life expectancy. With each plant lasting around a month, it’s no surprise why people prefer the orchid over other short-term plants.

The genus of the orchid originates from the cold rainforests and mountainous regions of Central America and South America, appearing in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.

American Orchid Society

Orchids usually grow to around 60 centimeters with a robust growth form. With lots of different forms and shapes, the orchid comes in sorts of different colors and sizes. 

Zostera

Zostera marina is usually found in sandy areas and estuaries, typically submerged or partially floating in their body of water. Also coming in the form of Zostera japonica, known as dwarf or Asian eelgrass, this plant is a perennial marine flowering angiosperm that is mainly found in shallow subtidal zones along the North Pacific coast.

Zostera Growing Conditions

Common Name	Botanical Name	Water Depth	Water Temperature	Light
Eelgrass	Zostera spp.	Submerged in water up to 3 meters	10-25°C	Full sun to partial shade

Does eelgrass grow in freshwater?

This greatly includes East Asia. Unlike the previous plants on our list, the Zostera is pollinated by water in a process known as hydrophilly. It’s believed that the Zostera has the longest pollen grain out of any other plant in the world.

Zostera plays a huge part in some shellfish’s food chains, with crabs and lobsters often feeding on the plant, as well as eating smaller sea species.

Zucchini plant

Zucchini has descended from the squashes that were first domesticated in Mesoamerica over 7,000 years ago. However, it’s believed that the zucchini was first introduced in Milan, Italy, in the late 19th Century. The fruit was then reintroduced into the United States by Italian immigrants in the 1920s.

Ordinarily, the zucchini comes in a dark green color, however, the golden zucchini is a deep yellow or shade of orange.

Zucchini Plant Growing Conditions

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zucchini	Cucurbita pepo	6.0 – 7.5	Well-draining, fertile	Full sun	3-10

What is the best way to eat zucchini?

When fully-grown, they can measure up to a meter long but they are usually harvested at anywhere between 6 and 10 inches. Raw zucchini is typically safe to eat, however, it can taste extremely bitter because it is high in cucurbitacins.

Penn State

Zephyranthes

Perennial plants that start with Z belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, the Zephyranthes has over 90 known species of flowering plants. The plant has foliage similar to grass and has flowers shaped like funnels. Each stalk holds a single flower, which usually consists of six to eight petals.

Zephyranthes Growing Conditions

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zephyr Lily	Zephyranthes spp.	6.0 – 7.0	Well-draining, sandy soil	Full sun to partial shade	8-11

The petals are usually white in color This flower is deciduous, meaning it only blooms at certain times of the year, rather than being evergreen.

Blooming in spring and summer, some species of Zephyranthes have a sweet fragrance, making them great houseplants. It’s recommended that they’re put to grow in well-drained soil.

Zygopetalum

Although it’s native to countries in South America, the Zygopetalum flower makes a great indoor plant that can decorate any room. With brownish-green petals and purple color on its lips, the plant grows best in moist and well-drained soil.

Zygopetalum Orchids Growing Conditions

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Zygopetalum Orchids	Zygopetalum spp.	6.0 – 7.0	Well-draining, aerated	Partial shade to filtered light	9-12

How long do Zygopetalum flowers last?

This form of orchid is incredibly rewarding, blooming twice a year and lasting for up to a month. It’s recommended that the plant is watered every 2 to 3 days in summer, due to the heat.

Alternatively, we recommend that you water them every 5 to 7 days in winter, because the plant consumes less water in cooler conditions.

Infographic – 5 plants that begin with the letter Z

Summary

With so many different plants on the planet, it’s no wonder that there are a good amount that start with Z. Because most plants have both a common name and a scientific name, it makes it easier to find a plant that starts with Z.

However, because there are so many different properties to each one, it’s good to do your research before buying any just in case they have poisonous tendencies or suit conditions that don’t match where you live. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Zinnias Symbolize?

Although zinnia has many different meanings and symbolisms, it’s typically associated with friendship, endurance, goodness and affection. The Victorian meaning for zinnia are thoughts of an absent friend or someone you care about that you haven’t seen in a while.

Are Zinnias Perennials?

Zinnias are annuals, which means that the process of growing from seed to flower very quickly.

What’s the Healthiest Way to Eat Zucchini?

The best way to eat zucchini is to eat it raw. Salads and raw dishes aren’t the only way to eat zucchini, however, as they can be added to cakes, muffins, soups, and much more.

Other resources relating to plants and flowers starting with Z:

Plants beginning with ‘Z’ – Burncoose Nurseries

Perennials that start with the letter Z | Plant Delights Nursery

Plants that Start with Z – NounsStarting.com