Ever tried to name flowers that start with L and stalled after lavender and lily? You’re not alone, and the list is much longer than most people guess.

There are at least 55 worth knowing, from garden staples to rare gems. This flower guide gives you names, botanical names, uses and growing tips in plain language.

Quick Answer: What Are Flowers That Start With L?

The most popular L flowers are lavender, lily, lilac, lobelia, lotus, larkspur, lantana, lisianthus, liatris and lupine. Each one fits a different job, from fragrance to cut flowers to pond plants.

Not sure where to begin? Skim the table below, then jump to the section that matches your garden.

Best L Flowers By Use

Picking by purpose saves money and frustration. Here’s a fast cheat sheet for plant selection.

• Fragrance: lavender, lilac, lily of the valley
• Bouquets: lisianthus, lilies, larkspur, liatris
• Containers: lobelia, lobularia, lantana
• Ponds: lotus
• Pollinators: liatris, lupine, lavender, lantana

55 Flower Names With L

Here’s the full flower list with common flower names and their botanical (scientific) names. Bookmark it for flower identification later.

#	Common name	Botanical name
1	Lavender	Lavandula
2	Lily	Lilium
3	Lilac	Syringa vulgaris
4	Lobelia	Lobelia erinus
5	Lotus	Nelumbo nucifera
6	Larkspur	Delphinium ajacis
7	Lantana	Lantana camara
8	Lisianthus	Eustoma grandiflorum
9	Liatris	Liatris spicata
10	Lupine	Lupinus
11	Lunaria	Lunaria annua
12	Lily of the Valley	Convallaria majalis
13	Lily of the Nile	Agapanthus
14	Linaria	Linaria maroccana
15	Lewisia	Lewisia cotyledon
16	Lobster Claw	Heliconia rostrata
17	Lachenalia	Lachenalia
18	Lady’s Slipper	Cypripedium
19	Lechenaultia	Lechenaultia
20	Lycoris	Lycoris radiata
21	Lithodora	Lithodora diffusa
22	Lungwort	Pulmonaria officinalis
23	Limonium	Limonium
24	Lobularia	Lobularia maritima
25	Lonicera	Lonicera
26	Loosestrife	Lythrum, Lysimachia
27	Love in a Mist	Nigella damascena
28	Love Lies Bleeding	Amaranthus caudatus
29	Livingstone Daisy	Dorotheanthus bellidiformis
30	Lace Flower	Orlaya grandiflora
31	Laceleaf	Anthurium andraeanum
32	Lady Banks’ Rose	Rosa banksiae
33	Ladybells	Adenophora
34	Lady’s Bedstraw	Galium verum
35	Lady’s Eardrop	Fuchsia
36	Lady’s Mantle	Alchemilla mollis
37	Lady Tulip	Tulipa clusiana
38	Lamb’s Ear	Stachys byzantina
39	Lanceleaf Coreopsis	Coreopsis lanceolata
40	Lavatera	Lavatera trimestris
41	Leadwort	Plumbago auriculata
42	Leather Flower	Clematis viorna
43	Lenten Rose	Helleborus
44	Leontopodium	Leontopodium nivale
45	Leopard Lily	Lilium pardalinum
46	Leopard’s Bane	Doronicum orientale
47	Lesser Celandine	Ficaria verna
48	Leucadendron	Leucadendron
49	Leucanthemum	Leucanthemum vulgare
50	Leucojum	Leucojum aestivum
51	Lindheimer’s Beeblossom	Gaura lindheimeri
52	Linnaea	Linnaea borealis
53	Liriope	Liriope muscari
54	Lychnis	Lychnis coronaria
55	Laburnum	Laburnum

Common Flowers That Start With L

These are the popular flowers you’ll spot in nurseries and garden flowers catalogs. Most are easy to find and easy to place.

Think of them as the starting lineup. The rare picks come later.

Featured L Flowers With Quick Facts

Flower	Type	Best known for
Lavender	Perennial shrub	Scent, bees
Lily	Bulb flowers	Big blooms
Lilac	Flowering shrubs	Spring fragrance
Lobelia	Annual	Trailing blue color
Lotus	Aquatic flowers	Symbolism

Lavender

Lavender loves full sun and well drained soil. Wet roots are its biggest enemy.

Its flower spikes attract bees all summer. Dry the stems for sachets and dried flowers.

Lily

True lilies (Lilium) grow from bulbs and bloom in summer. Plant them where roots stay cool and tops get sun.

Heads up if you own cats. Lilies are seriously dangerous to them, even in small amounts.

Lilac

Lilac is a spring bloomers classic with unforgettable scent. It prefers cold winters and sunny spots.

Prune right after flowering. Cut later and you’ll trim next year’s buds.

Lobelia

Lobelia erinus is a tiny trailing annual flowers pick. It spills beautifully over hanging baskets.

Give it partial shade in hot climates and keep soil evenly moist.

Lotus

Lotus is the star of water gardens. It needs warm water, strong sun and a big, deep container.

Its leaves repel water, which explains the old saying about rising pure from mud.

Liatris

Liatris sends up vertical flowers in purple. Butterflies swarm them in midsummer.

Blooms open from the top down, which is a neat party trick for visitors.

Lantana

Lantana shrugs off heat and drought. It’s a heat tolerant plants favorite for butterflies.

It can turn invasive in warm regions, and the berries are toxic, so check local rules first.

Lisianthus

Lisianthus looks like a ruffled rose. It’s a premium cut flower quality pick with a long vase life.

It grows slowly from seed, so most gardeners buy young plants.

Lupine

Lupine builds tall flower clusters in blue, pink and white. It likes cool summers and lean soil.

Seeds are toxic, so keep curious kids and pets away.

Lobster Claw

Lobster claw (Heliconia rostrata) shows off red and yellow hanging bracts. It’s a true tropical flowers showpiece.

It needs warmth and humidity, so cold climates should grow it in a greenhouse or conservatory.

Rare Flowers That Start With L

Want something your neighbors haven’t seen? Try lachenalia, lechenaultia, lewisia, leucadendron or lady’s slipper orchids. These are rare flowers for fans of alpine flowers and orchid flowers.

Wild lady’s slipper orchids need protection. Buy only nursery grown plants and never dig from the wild.

How This 55 Flower List Was Curated

I built this list from widely used common names, then matched each to its botanical name. Names that gardeners actually search for got priority.

That keeps the flower encyclopedia practical rather than academic.

Inclusion Rules

A plant earned a spot if its common name starts with L, or if its Latin flower names genus does. It also had to be ornamental and available to growers somewhere.

What Was Not Counted As A Main Flower

Leaves, herbs and trees grown only for foliage were left out. So were vague nicknames without a clear plant identification.

Symbolism And Cultural Recognition

Flowers carry meaning, and L flowers carry a lot. Lotus stands for purity, rebirth and spiritual elevation in many Asian traditions. Lily of the valley is linked with renewal and first love.

Lavender suggests calm and serenity, while lilies often signal devotion. Meanings vary by culture, so treat floral symbolism as tradition, not rule.

Plants Vs Flowers That Start With L

Every flower comes from a plant, but not every plant is grown for flowers. Lamb’s ear is loved for fuzzy leaves, and laceleaf is prized for its glossy bracts.

So when someone asks about L flowers, focus on ornamental flowers that bloom well. That’s the goal here.

Common And Botanical Name

Common names are friendly but messy. “Loosestrife” covers two unrelated genera, and “lily” covers plants that aren’t true lilies.

The botanical name ends the confusion. Check it before you buy, especially for invasive plants and pet safe plants decisions.

Types Of Flowers That Start With L

Your garden has a job to do, so let’s sort by what you need. Each pick below is practical and easy to find.

Perennials That Start With L

Perennial flowers return each year. Try lavender, liatris, lupine, lamb’s ear, lady’s mantle and lenten rose.

Annual Flowers That Start With L

Annual flowers finish in one season. Lobelia, lobularia, larkspur, linaria and love in a mist all give quick color.

Purple Flowers That Start With L

Purple flowers feel calm and look rich. Choose lavender, lilac, liatris, lobelia or lisianthus.

Fragrant L Flowers

Fragrant flowers deserve a spot near a seat or window. Lilac, lavender, lily of the valley, lonicera and lobularia smell wonderful.

Beginner Friendly Choices

New to gardening? Beginner-friendly flowers include lobularia, lantana, liriope and lamb’s ear. They forgive missed waterings.

Indoor Or Protected Space Picks

Indoor flowers are limited, but laceleaf thrives as a houseplant. Lobster claw and lachenalia suit a bright protected space.

Container And Small Space Picks

Container flowers such as lobelia, lobularia and lantana fit patio containers. Add dwarf lavender for scent.

Pollinator Friendly And Meadow Picks

Pollinator-friendly flowers include liatris, lupine, lavender and lantana. Add leucanthemum for a loose, meadow gardens look.

Cut Flower And Bouquet Favorites

Bouquet flowers shine with lisianthus, lilies, larkspur and liatris. Cut in the morning and recut stems under water.

Water And Pond Flower Picks

Lotus is the headline pond flowers choice. Loosestrife, with cautious planting, can edge water features.

Quick Planning: Growing And Garden Planning

Good garden planning starts with sun, soil and season. Get those right and most L plants practically look after themselves.

Bloom Season And Color Planning

Mix spring bloomers like lilac and lenten rose with summer flowers like lavender and liatris. That gives you color across the bloom season.

Light, Soil, And Zone Notes

Most L flowers want sun and well drained soil. Lungwort and lady’s mantle prefer shade and humus rich soil, so match plants to hardiness zones.

Pollinator, Pet, And Safety Points

Several L plants, including lilies, lupine, larkspur, lily of the valley and laburnum, are toxic. Check plant safety before planting near pets or kids.

Lesser celandine and lantana can spread aggressively in some areas. Ask your local extension service first.

Conclusion

The world of flowers that start with L is wider and weirder than anyone expects. You now have 55 names, practical growing notes and safety flags.

Which one will you try first? Drop your favorite in the comments, share this list with a gardening friend, and come back often. I update this flower guide as new picks and facts come in.

FAQs

How Many Flowers Start With The Letter L?

Hundreds of species do. This list covers 55 well known ones that gardeners actually grow.

What Is The Most Popular Flower That Starts With L?

Lavender and lily top most lists. Lavender wins for scent and ease, lily for showy blooms.

Which Flower Starting With L Smells The Best?

Lilac and lily of the valley are strong contenders. Lavender is the favorite for a calm, clean scent.

Which Flowers That Start With L Are Perennials?

Lavender, liatris, lupine, lamb’s ear, lady’s mantle, lenten rose and liriope all return yearly.

Are There Indoor Flowers That Start With L?

Yes. Laceleaf (Anthurium) grows well indoors, and lachenalia suits cool bright rooms.

Which L Flowers Are Good For Beginners?

Lobularia, lantana, liriope and lamb’s ear are tough and forgiving.

What Are Rare Flowers That Start With L?

Lechenaultia, lewisia, lachenalia and lady’s slipper orchids are harder to find.

What Is The Best L Flower For Containers?

Lobelia is great for baskets, and lobularia is easy for pots. Both stay compact.

Which Flowers That Start With L Are Good For Bouquets?

Lisianthus, lilies, larkspur and liatris all last well in a vase.

Is Lotus The Only Water Flower That Starts With L?

Lotus is the best known. Loosestrife can grow near water edges but isn’t a true aquatic.

Are All Plants That Start With L Counted As Flowers?

No. Some, like lamb’s ear, are grown mainly for foliage.

What Are Purple Flowers That Start With L?

Lavender, lilac, liatris, lobelia and lisianthus are top purple picks.

What Is The Difference Between Common And Latin Flower Names?

Common names vary by region. Latin names are standard worldwide and identify a plant exactly.