Plants That Start With P

Last Updated on February 21, 2023 by Derek

There are an estimated 391,000 plants on the planet earth, more than you could see or memorize in a lifetime. Many of these have rich histories of study and classification, with scientists, botanists, and green-fingered people around the world spending their lives researching and growing them. 

Key Takeaways

List of plants that begin with P

Here is a list of all the plants beginning with P featured in this article:

1. Primrose
2. Prickly Pear Cactus
3. Parsley
4. Poppy
5. Prairie Willow
6. Pansy
7. Petunia

Video – How to grow petunias from seeds

With many plants come many names – so we’ve decided to make a list of different plants that start with the letter ‘P’. We’ve also included a short FAQ section to answer some of your most common questions.

Primrose 

This is probably one of the most popular and well-known plants that start with the letter P. Its Latin name is ‘Primula Vulgaris’ – named so because they are some of the first to appear once spring arrives. It is native to many parts of the world, including Europe, northwest Africa, and parts of Asia. 

It’s worth noting that there are different varieties of primrose, including the evening primrose, round-headed Himalayan Primrose, Drumstick Primrose, and many more. Though many of them look different, the main thing that distinguishes them from other plants is the time in which they flower, and the bright color of their flowers. 

Primroses are an easy to care for, a gorgeous addition to your home and garden. 

Primrose

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Primrose	Primula vulgaris	6.0 – 7.5	Well-draining, moist	Partial to full shade	4-8

Prickly Pear Cactus 

Prickly pear cactus scientific name

For the next plant on our list, we’re taking you to the desert. The prickly pear cactus is an alien and unique plant that is native to the Americas but has been introduced to other areas of the world since humans first discovered them. Its Latin name is Optunia, named after the Ancient Greek city ‘Opus.’ 

There are hundreds of different species of Optunia, but the most common features are thick green pads with detachable spines and bright colored, rounded flowers which can be pink, orange, or yellow.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Prickly Pear Cactus	Opuntia spp.	6.0 – 7.5	Sandy, well-draining	Full sun	8-11

Texas prickly pear cactus

Like most desert plants, Prickly Pear Cacti have adapted to live and flourish within the harshest and driest of conditions – the desert areas of Texas are ideal. They have shallow roots which allow them to absorb rainfall more easily, as well as sections of their pad that store water.

If you have the climate for it, Prickly Pear Cacti are a great addition to your front or back garden, or as a cool addition to a landscaping project. 

Texas.gov – Prickly Pear

Parsley 

Parsley, sometimes known as ‘garden parsley,’ is a species of plant that is most often found in the Mediterranean, though it has long been cultivated in wider parts of Europe. It is an extremely common herb used in cuisine all over the world.

Parsley

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Parsley	Petroselinum crispum	6.0 – 7.0	Rich, well-draining	Partial to full sun	2-11

There are different kinds of parsley, though the one you’re most likely to be familiar with is Curley leaf parsley because of how easy it is to grow, as well as its distinctive taste. 

Parsley is a light green, flat-leafed plant with long thin stalks that shoot upwards. The easiest way to distinguish parsley leaves from other plants checking to see the shape of their leaves – parsley leaves have sharp, pointed leaves, whilst other similar plants might be rounded. 

Parsley uses

It would be impossible to list all of the different dishes that parsley is used as an ingredient in here, but it is commonly added to sauces, salsas, pestos, and soups. It is a light herb without an overbearing taste, so it is often added to create a small flavor without fear of ruining a dish.

Parsley is a great plant to grow if you’re looking for something that looks pretty but can also be used to cook with. 

Poppy

Poppies are probably best known for their symbolism after the first world war. In 1914, certain fields that had once been the place of terrible battles were repopulated by flowers – the poppy. Since then it has been transformed into a symbol for the fallen after the first world war, included in poems, and used in memorials even to this day. 

Are poppies poisonous?

The poppy is also known as the source of the drug opium, which has been used for centuries as a pain killer and used to create drugs such as morphine and heroin. 

Despite these two very specific and different associations, the poppy is a great addition to your garden because of its strange shape and gorgeous bright red color. Although red is sometimes thought of as the only color that poppies can be, there are several variations of color including orange, yellow, and white. 

Poppy

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Poppy	Papaver spp.	6.0 – 7.0	Well-draining	Full sun	2-9

Royal Horticultural Society

Prairie Willow

Prairie willow is a shrub that is known for its emerald green coloring and spikey shape. Shrubs are strong plants that are adapted to grow in volatile environments. It is also known by its Latin name ‘Salix Humilis’ and it is native to certain parts of the United States and Canada. 

Prairie Willow

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Prairie Willow	Salix humilis	5.0 – 7.5	Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil	Full sun to partial shade	2-8

Though it’s a much rarer plant than some of the others on this list, it’s worth considering as an addition to your garden because of its gorgeous color and low requirements. Prairie Willows grow well at half-sunlight. 

Pansy

Another beautiful and well-known flower is the Pansy. Pansies are created by the hybridization (crossing different types of flowers) of different species native to Europe and western Asia. Their name ‘pansy’ comes from the french word for ‘thought.’

Typically, pansies are identified by their flowers with large ‘faces’ – which are heart-shaped petals. They vary massively in color, with modern horticulturists developing a multitude of different colors like orange, purple, red, white, yellow, and gold. 

Do pansies like sun or shade?

Pansies grow best with 5-6 hours of daily sunlight, but if they are exposed to full sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, they can be damaged and slow the flowering process.

Pansies

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Pansy	Viola tricolor var. hortensis	6.0 – 7.0	Well-draining	Full sun to partial shade	2-11

Do pansies last all year?

If you’re considering planting pansies, it’s important to know that their flowers can last for up to seven or eight months of being kept in the correct conditions. In cool climates, pansies tend to flower from spring to summer, but in hot climates, they can bloom in fall and winter. 

Petunia

This is the last of the most famous flowers beginning with ‘P’ on this list, but it wouldn’t be complete without the Petunia. The Petunia is another staple in gardens around the world, recognizable for its star-shaped petals and strikingly bright colors.

Types of petunias

When we write ‘Petunia’ we’re not referring to a single flower, but a genus (family) of over 20 species of different flowering plants. This family is of South American origin, adapted to hot temperatures and difficult conditions. 

Petunia

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Petunia	Petunia hybrida	6.0 – 7.5	Well-draining	Full sun	2-11

Most Petunia flowers you’re likely to see in a garden are hybrids, as through the years these flowers have been cultivated and changed to have specific characteristics. Although the most common Petunia colors are red, white, and purple, there are unique variations. Petunia flowers are an important addition to any flower display and have been used for centuries as such. 

Shrubs beginning with P

• Parahebe
• Philadelphus
• Pyracantha
• Perovskia
• Piptanthus
• Phlomis
• Phygelius
• Parthenocissus
• Prunus
• Passiflora
• Pieris
• Potentilla
• Potentilla
• Photinia
• Pyrus
• Phormium
• Paeonia

Indoor plants that begin with P

• Philodendron Brasil (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’)
• Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ (Philodendron hybrid)
• Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
• Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
• Philodendron Micans (Philodendron hederaceum hybrid)
• Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
• Papyrus Plant (Cyperus papyrus)
• Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)
• Pleomele (Dracaena reflexa)
• Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
• Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii)
• Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes hybrids)
• Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea)
• Philodendron Birkin (Philodendron hybrid)
• Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida)
• Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
• Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Trees that start with P

• Pineapple tree
• Peach tree
• Pear tree
• Palm tree
• Pecan

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has given you some idea of the best/most famous/rarest plants on the earth today. It would be impossible to list each and every plant that begins with P, but there are many more that we haven’t mentioned. The three flowers listed above – primrose, petunia, and Pansy – are perfect additions to any garden and we very much suggest them if you’re looking for gorgeous flowers to add to your garden. 

FAQ

Do Primroses Come Back Every Year?

If primroses are cultivated properly, they are more than likely to come back each year. They are most likely to flower from December through to May, though most commonly in the spring.

Primroses are repeat bloomers, which means providing the conditions are right, they are likely to come back each year. If you would like to ensure that your primroses come back at the same time every year, then you will need to plant them where there is good light. 

Is It Illegal To Grow Red Poppies?

This can vary depending on the country, but in the USA it is illegal to grow Papaver Somnuferum (the species most commonly known as red poppy). This is because unripe seed pods can contain a substance that when dried and cultivated can become opium. That’s not to say that different varieties of poppy can’t be grown legally.

There are many different kinds of poppy with different colors so it can be easy to find one if you’re looking to plant something. Popular types of poppy that you can legally grow include Papaver Orientale, Eschscholzia, and Papver Nudicaule

What Is Parsley Used For? 

Parsley is used as a herb. In cuisine all over the world, it is most commonly used as an extra ingredient to add flavor to soups, sauces, and salsas, mostly within Middle Eastern, European, and North American regions. With that said, it would be impossible to list every kind of dish that it is used in because there are so many that include it. 

It is also used as a manufacturing ingredient to assist in making various cosmetic products including perfumes, colognes, soaps, and scented candles. Medically, parsley is used as a diuretic, which can be helpful for digestion. Its root, seed, and leaf are all used in various kinds of medicine. 

How Long Do Petunia Flowers Last? 

Petunia flowers generally last between 2 and 3 years. How long they last mostly depends on climate and planting conditions. They are normally annual plants in places that have cold winters because they are not adapted for low temperatures.

In cold climates, petunias are most likely to flower during the summer and will stay until the earliest frosts of autumn. In warmer climates, petunias can last all year round providing they get the correct sunlight and care.

Other interesting resources:

• “Petunia” – University of Florida Gardening Solutions: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/petunia.html
• “Pansy” – Gardening Know How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/pansy/growing-pansies.htm
• “Peony” – Old Farmer’s Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/plant/peonies
• “Primrose” – Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=750
• “Phlox” – Better Homes & Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/phlox/