Plants That Start With V

Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Derek

If you happen to select the letter V, you might be surprised to know that there are lots of plants beginning with this letter to learn about. We have created this guide to let you discover 10 plants that start with the letter V.

As there are so many plants in the world, it can be difficult to know everything about every plant. If you want to learn more about the numerous plants that are out there, then try looking at the alphabet. Choose a letter from the alphabet and discover the countless plants that fall under that letter.

Here are the plants beginning with V featured in this article:

List of plants that start with the letter V

Video – Benefits and uses of violets

We will be looking at Venus fly traps, violets and some more uncommon plants, all that start with the letter V.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

A Valerian plant is a flowering perennial plant, which is native to Asia and Europe. The root of this plant has been used for medicinal purposes and is a known effective sleeping aid. Overall, this plant can grow up to five feet in height.

The flowers on this plant can bloom in either white and pink petals. It is said that this plant has an appealing vanilla and clove scenT.

Valerian Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis	6.0 – 7.0	Loamy, well-draining	Full sun to partial shade	4-9

The Valerian is known for attracting many species of flies and is a major food source for butterflies. Also, cats are known for enjoying the aroma this plant gives off. They enjoy it more than they enjoy catnip.

This plant enjoys full to partial sunlight, but this is a hardy plant that can survive in a variety of temperatures. They are perfect in the garden or make the ideal addition to bouquets.

Michigan EDU

Vanda Orchid (Vanda spp)

American Orchid Society

Like a lot of other species of orchids, Vanda Orchid is typically grown as an indoor houseplant. If you live in a tropical climate, then you could grow these orchids in the garden, however this is quite rare. One each stem, multiple flower heads grow from it.

The leaves on this plant alternate as they climb up the stem. The flower heads begin as spikes that emerge on the stem that poke out between the leaves. The bloom colors can be seen in the following colors: purple, white, blue, orange, pink, yellow and red. 

The roots of this plant attach to the surface of a nearby plant to obtain more nutrients and moisture. The Vanda Orchid is best planted in the spring, and will bloom every couple of months.

Vanda Orchid Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Vanda Orchid	Vanda spp.	6.0 – 7.5	Bark mix or sphagnum moss	Full sun to partial shade	10-12

These plants aren’t the best option for beginners, because of the conditions to grow correctly that they require. They naturally grow in rocky areas with very little soil. 

Vanilla Bean Orchid (Vanilla planifolia)

Native to Mexico, The Vanilla Bean Orchid is often referred to as vanilla. This is because the seed pods that come from this plant are the source of all natural vanilla flavoring, which is used in deserts.

Just like the Vanda Orchid, the Vanilla Bean Orchid requires hot temperatures to thrive. It is typically grown as a houseplant, for those gardeners who can handle this tricky plant. 

Vanilla Bean Orchid Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Vanilla Bean Orchid	V. planifolia	5.5 – 7.5	Well-draining, aerated	Bright, indirect light	10-12

It can be difficult to get this plant to flower and produce the seeds to harvest. However, the glossy green vines that are produced are still very attractive to look at. If you manage to get this plant to flower, then each branch will produce one to two dozen cream-colored blooms.

On a mature vine, around several hundred flowers can be produced for harvesting. When it is mature, this plant can grow up to 8 to 10 feet in height. However, this plant is more suited to those who have orchid growing experience.

Vanilla Bean Orchid – Purdue

Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula)

Endemic to North and South Carolina, the Venus Fly Trap is definitely an unusual plant, but everyone can recognize this plant. Usually, people will grow this plant, not for its appearance but what it can do – it eats flies!

This isn’t a difficult plant to grow, but it does require slightly different conditions compared to other houseplants. It enjoys full sun to partial shade.

Yet, when it comes to its soil, it likes sandy soil that is kept wet. Typically, this plant can grow to 6 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 9 inches wide. 

Venus Fly Trap Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Venus Fly Trap	Dionaea muscipula	3.8 – 5.0	Peat moss, sand, perlite	Full sun to partial shade	8-10

The trap part of a Venus Fly Trap is a modified leaf. On one plant, there can be around 8 traps. Within the trap is some nectar that is bait to draw a fly in. Once a fly has been caught, the trap closes and is digested by enzymes for up to 10 days. 

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Viburnum (Viburnum spp)

Viburnums are one of the most popular landscaping shrubs. There are over 150 species of this plant, all that are slightly different from one another, to suit any garden. For the majority of Viburnum shrubs, they will bloom from early spring all the way to June.

Then in the fall, this plant has eye-catching foliage and fruit which is produced. The blooms that these plants produce are typically pink or white in color.

Viburnum Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Viburnum	Viburnum spp.	5.5 – 7.5	Well-draining, loamy	Full sun to partial shade	2-9

The flowers are always in some form of cluster, like snow-ball-like clusters or flat clusters of florets. The foliage of this plant can differ depending on the species. It can be smooth, rough, rounded, toothed or lance shaped.

They all sport a beautiful deep green color, but in the fall this can change to red or yellow that we associate with the fall time. This shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall. It also enjoys a moist and well drained soil with full sun. 

Violas (Viola spp)

Violas can also be referred to as violets or pansies. There are over 500 different species in the Viola family. It is believed that each flower has its own face. As a collective, they are known as Violas, but individual garden types can be known as pansies.

This is a fast-growing plant that typically self seeds. These flowers can be enjoyed in your garden or picked and candied to be used to decorate cakes and other confections. 

Violas Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Violas	Viola spp.	6.0 – 7.5	Well-draining, moist	Partial shade to full sun	3-8

These are typically seen as small flowers that will bloom in the colder seasons. You can see Violas still in bloom during the winter months, giving your garden a pop of color while everything else is dying down.

Typically, the colors of these flowers are varying shades of violet, peach, purple, blue, yellow and white. Each species has slightly different growing requirements. 

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

The Virginia Creeper can be used as either a climbing vine or as ground cover. It is grown for its beautiful foliage. Its leaves have a deep green color during the summer, and this color then changes to an attractive orange/red/burgundy color for the fall. It can grow up to 30 to 50 feet!

Virginia Creeper Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Virginia Creeper	Parthenocissus quinquefolia	5.5 – 7.5	Well-draining, moist	Full sun to full shade	3-9

There are some flowers on this plant, but they aren’t very noticeable. This plant does produce dark blue berries that birds enjoy eating. However, these berries contain oxalic acid, which is toxic to humans.

Alongside this, the sap from this plant contains needle-like oxalate crystals that can irritate some people’s skin, causing a rash. If you do have sensitive skin, then it is worth wearing gloves when handling this plant. 

NCSU – Edu

Virginia Pine Tree (Pinus virginiana)

The Virginia Pine Tree is a native tree to the East Coast of America and is a very common tree to see. The young trees have smooth bark, however as it matures the bark becomes red and scaly.

Finally, once it reaches full maturity, the bark will have a gray-brown and shaggy appearance. As the tree matures, the top of the tree flattens down, which then makes it lose its typical pine shape.

Saplings of this tree should be planted in the spring, and it will grow around 1 to 2 feet a year. It can reach heights of 40 to 70 feet tall. It needs full sunlight to grow and well drained, sandy and clay like soil. 

Virginia Pine Tree Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Virginia Pine Tree	Pinus virginiana	4.5 – 6.0	Well-draining, sandy, loam, clay loam	Full sun	6-10

Viscaria (Viscaria vulgaris)

The Viscaria plant is an annual plant that is grown for its bright purple blooms. These plants are really easy to grow. They are ideal for anyone who lives in a warmer climate, who receives plenty of sunlight.

Once planted, the Viscaria plant is a fast-growing plant, where you can expect to see blooms between six and eight weeks after sowing. 

This plant produces bright purple blooms, on stiff, thick stems. Before they bloom, this plant can look almost weed-like, yet once they bloom they create a wave of color in the flower bed. They will typically bloom in the summer, as that is the best conditions for them, and they can reach 12 to 18 inches tall. 

Viscaria Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Viscaria	Viscaria species	6.0 – 7.5	Well-draining, sandy	Full sun	3-8

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)

A Vitex is a shrub that produces clusters of purple blooms during the summer. The leaves of this plant are quite long and thin. Comparisons have been made with the leaves from the marijuana plant.

This is due to the arrangement the leaves make, as they create a five leaf palm shape. The flowers create a cylindrical shape of purple flowers clustering together.

Black fruit is also produced that contains four seeds that look like peppercorns. They are occasionally used to flavor food, just like peppercorns. 

Vitex Care Sheet

Common Name	Botanical Name	Soil pH Range	Soil Type	Sunshine	Growing Zones
Vitex	Vitex agnus-castus	6.0 – 8.0	Well-draining, fertile	Full sun	5-9

This shrub is a fast-growing plant and best planted during the spring. It can grow up to 8 to 10 feet in height and 5 to 8 feet wide. It will grow best in loose but well draining soil that receives lots of sunlight. This plant enjoys spreading and growing, so you will need to keep an eye on it and regularly prune it back.

Vitex – AU Gov

Plant flowers that start with V

1. Vervaine
2. Vetchling
3. Valerian
4. Vetch
5. Virgin’s Bower
6. Viburnum
7. Viola
8. Violet
9. Virginia Spiderwort
10. Venus-looking-glass

Wild flowers beginning with V

1. Variable-leaved sea holly (Eryngium variifolium)
2. Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare)
3. Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
4. Violet Churcu (Iochroma cyaneum)
5. Violet wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea)
6. Verbana (Verbena officinalis)
7. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
8. Viburnum (Viburnum)
9. Verbena (Glandularia Canadensis)

Takeaway

In this guide, we have delved into 10 plants that start with the letter V. All of these plants are fascinating, and you may have just found the next plant you want to grow at home.

There are more plants we could have mentioned in this list, but we wanted to just get you started with our top 10. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Violas Grow Back Every Year?

Yes, violas will grow back every year after planting. You do need to be aware of what kind you are planting. Most Violas are perennial and will die out in the summer, but grow back the next year. However, there are some varieties that you need to replace every year. 

How Long Do Virginia Pine Trees Live For?

As long as the tree is in the correct soil and receives plenty of sunlight, then this type of tree can have quite a long lifespan. Typically, this kind of tree can live for up to 65 to 90 years, and the trunk can be as large as 20 inches in diameter. 

Can Venus Fly Traps Hurt Humans?

Well it is known that Venus Fly Traps can kill flies that fall for its trap, humans don’t need to worry. Venus Fly Traps cannot hurt humans, there is no way that you will lose a finger.

You won’t even receive a scratch if the trap closes on your finger. Flies get caught on the nectar and as the trap closes slowly, humans have plenty of time to get their fingers out. 

Other resources:

10 Flowers that Start with “V” – Home Stratosphere

Perennials that start with the letter V | Plant Delights Nursery