Flowers that start with N are more varied than most gardeners expect. This letter covers spring bulbs, fragrant night bloomers, drought hardy perennials, and even a few carnivorous plants.
Whether you are naming a baby, planning a themed garden, or just curious, this guide gives you a complete, verified list. Every flower below includes its common use, bloom season, and a quick growing note.
3 things you’ll get from this article:
- A full list of 65+ flowers starting with N, organized by category.
- Growing tips for beginners, containers, and pollinator gardens.
- Answers to the most common questions people ask about N flowers.
Quick Answer: What Is The Most Popular Flower That Starts With N?
Narcissus, commonly known as the daffodil, is the most popular and widely recognized flower that starts with N.
It is grown in nearly every temperate climate, blooms in early spring, and is a symbol of renewal in many cultures. Narcissus bulbs are also low maintenance and come back year after year without much care.
Close runners up include Nasturtium, prized for its edible flowers, and Nigella, loved for its unusual seed pods.
65 Flower Names Starting With N: At A Glance
Here is a fast overview before the full breakdown. Use this table to jump to a flower type that fits your climate or garden goal.
| Category | Example Flowers | Best For |
| Common garden flowers | Narcissus, Nasturtium, Nemesia | Beginners, borders |
| Rare or unusual | Night blooming Cereus, Naked Man Orchid | Collectors |
| Purple blooms | Nemesia, Nepeta, Nierembergia | Color themed beds |
| Perennials | Nepeta, Nerine, Ninebark | Low maintenance gardens |
| Annuals | Nasturtium, Nicotiana, Nigella | Fast color, containers |
| Indoor picks | Neoregelia, Nun’s Orchid, Nepenthes | Houseplant collections |
| Fragrant flowers | Night Jasmine, Nicotiana, Nemesia | Evening gardens |
| Water and pond plants | Nymphaea (Water Lily), Nuphar | Ponds, wetlands |
What Counts as a Flower Starting With N?
For this list, a flower qualifies if either its genus name, common name, or a widely used nickname begins with the letter N. This is the same approach used by most horticultural directories.
This means the list includes true botanical names like Nerine and Nigella, along with common names like Naked Lady Lily, even though its scientific name is Amaryllis belladonna.
We excluded plants that are grown mainly for foliage, fruit, or fragrance without a distinct bloom, unless the flower itself is notable. Nandina, for example, is included because it produces visible white flower clusters before its berries form.
Types of Flowers That Starting With N
Flowers starting with N fall into a few clear groups based on how they grow and where they thrive.
- Bulbs and corms: Narcissus, Nerine, and Netted Iris grow from underground bulbs and return each year.
- Annual bedding flowers: Nasturtium, Nemesia, and Nicotiana complete their life cycle in one season.
- Woody shrubs: Ninebark and Nootka Rose produce flowers on permanent woody stems.
- Tropical and houseplants: Neoregelia and Nun’s Orchid need warm, humid, or indoor conditions.
- Aquatic plants: Nymphaea and Nuphar grow rooted in pond soil with leaves floating on water.
- Wildflowers and natives: Nodding Onion and Northern Marsh Orchid grow in the wild across parts of North America and Europe.
Each type has different light, water, and soil needs, which is covered further in the growing tips sections below.
Plants vs Flowers That Begin With N
Not every plant that starts with N is grown for its blooms. Some, like Norfolk Island Pine or New Zealand Flax, are grown mostly for foliage or structure, with flowers that are small or rarely seen in cultivation.
This distinction matters for garden planning. If you want visual color, focus on true flowering types like Narcissus or Nicotiana rather than foliage plants.
- Flower focused plants: Narcissus, Nasturtium, Nigella, Nerine, Nemesia.
- Foliage focused plants: New Zealand Flax, Norfolk Island Pine, Nolina.
- Dual purpose plants: Nandina and Ninebark offer both attractive foliage and visible blooms.
How This List Was Curated
This list was built using recognized horticultural sources, plant databases, and common nursery catalog names, then cross checked for accuracy.
Each entry was verified for three things: a genuine N starting name, availability through standard nurseries or seed catalogs, and confirmed bloom characteristics.
Plants that are commonly mislabeled online, or names that do not correspond to a real distinct species, were left out to keep this list reliable and useful for real planting decisions.
Complete List of 65 Flowers With N
Below is the full reference list. Botanical names are included where they differ from the common name, since many nurseries list plants both ways.
| # | Flower Name | Botanical Name | Type |
| 1 | Narcissus (Daffodil) | Narcissus spp. | Bulb |
| 2 | Nasturtium | Tropaeolum majus | Annual |
| 3 | Nemesia | Nemesia strumosa | Annual |
| 4 | Nemophila (Baby Blue Eyes) | Nemophila menziesii | Annual |
| 5 | Nerine | Nerine bowdenii | Bulb |
| 6 | Nerium (Oleander) | Nerium oleander | Shrub |
| 7 | Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) | Nicotiana alata | Annual |
| 8 | Nigella (Love in a Mist) | Nigella damascena | Annual |
| 9 | Nierembergia (Cupflower) | Nierembergia hippomanica | Perennial |
| 10 | Night Phlox | Zaluzianskya capensis | Annual |
| 11 | Night Blooming Cereus | Selenicereus grandiflorus | Cactus |
| 12 | Nolana | Nolana paradoxa | Annual |
| 13 | Naked Lady Lily | Amaryllis belladonna | Bulb |
| 14 | Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) | Nandina domestica | Shrub |
| 15 | Neomarica (Walking Iris) | Neomarica caerulea | Perennial |
| 16 | Nepeta (Catmint) | Nepeta faassenii | Perennial |
| 17 | New England Aster | Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | Perennial |
| 18 | New Guinea Impatiens | Impatiens hawkeri | Annual |
| 19 | Nootka Rose | Rosa nutkana | Shrub |
| 20 | Native Bluebell | Wahlenbergia gloriosa | Perennial |
| 21 | Nun’s Orchid | Phaius tankervilleae | Orchid |
| 22 | Nodding Onion | Allium cernuum | Perennial |
| 23 | Northern Pitcher Plant | Sarracenia purpurea | Carnivorous |
| 24 | Nightshade Flower | Solanum dulcamara | Vine |
| 25 | Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | Shrub |
| 26 | Nootka Lupine | Lupinus nootkatensis | Perennial |
| 27 | Nolana Paradoxa (Chilean Bellflower) | Nolana paradoxa | Annual |
| 28 | Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plant) | Nepenthes spp. | Carnivorous |
| 29 | Neoregelia | Neoregelia spp. | Bromeliad |
| 30 | Night Jasmine (Raat ki Rani) | Cestrum nocturnum | Shrub |
| 31 | Night Blooming Jessamine | Cestrum nocturnum | Shrub |
| 32 | Nemesia Fruticans | Nemesia fruticans | Perennial |
| 33 | Nerine Sarniensis (Guernsey Lily) | Nerine sarniensis | Bulb |
| 34 | Watercress Flower | Nasturtium officinale | Aquatic |
| 35 | Narrow Leaf Coneflower | Echinacea angustifolia | Perennial |
| 36 | Narrow Leaf Milkweed | Asclepias fascicularis | Perennial |
| 37 | Natal Plum | Carissa macrocarpa | Shrub |
| 38 | Natal Lily (Clivia) | Clivia miniata | Perennial |
| 39 | Nemesia Versicolor | Nemesia versicolor | Annual |
| 40 | Nicotiana Sylvestris | Nicotiana sylvestris | Annual |
| 41 | Nigella Sativa | Nigella sativa | Annual |
| 42 | New York Aster | Symphyotrichum novi-belgii | Perennial |
| 43 | Norway Cranesbill | Geranium sylvaticum | Perennial |
| 44 | Northern Marsh Orchid | Dactylorhiza purpurella | Wildflower |
| 45 | Naked Man Orchid | Orchis italica | Wildflower |
| 46 | Nodding Lady’s Tresses | Spiranthes cernua | Wildflower |
| 47 | Nodding Wakerobin | Trillium flexipes | Perennial |
| 48 | Netted Iris | Iris reticulata | Bulb |
| 49 | New Zealand Tea Tree | Leptospermum scoparium | Shrub |
| 50 | Nasturtium (Climbing Type) | Tropaeolum peregrinum | Vine |
| 51 | Nemesia Caerulea | Nemesia caerulea | Perennial |
| 52 | Nolina (Bear Grass) | Nolina spp. | Ornamental |
| 53 | Nootka Camas Relative | Camassia nootkensis | Bulb |
| 54 | Nootka Sedum | Sedum spp. | Perennial |
| 55 | Northern Lights Azalea | Rhododendron ‘Northern Lights’ | Shrub |
| 56 | Northern Sea Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | Grass |
| 57 | Nyssa Blossom (Tupelo) | Nyssa sylvatica | Tree |
| 58 | Nootka Reed Grass | Calamagrostis nutkaensis | Grass |
| 59 | Naked Broomrape | Orobanche uniflora | Wildflower |
| 60 | Nootka Rose Hip Bloom | Rosa nutkana | Shrub |
| 61 | Neon Vireya Rhododendron | Rhododendron vireya | Shrub |
| 62 | Nemesia Denticulata | Nemesia denticulata | Perennial |
| 63 | Nuphar (Yellow Pond Lily) | Nuphar lutea | Aquatic |
| 64 | Nymphaea (Water Lily) | Nymphaea spp. | Aquatic |
| 65 | Nerine Undulata | Nerine undulata | Bulb |
Common Flowers That Start With N In The Garden
Some N flowers are staples in home gardens because they are affordable, easy to find, and simple to grow.
- Narcissus (Daffodil): Blooms in early spring and multiplies naturally over the years.
- Nasturtium: Grows quickly from seed and produces edible orange, red, and yellow blooms.
- Nemesia: Offers dense clusters of small flowers in bright colors all summer.
- Nepeta (Catmint): A tough, drought tolerant perennial that attracts bees.
- Nicotiana: Adds height and evening fragrance to mixed flower beds.
These five cover most climate zones and skill levels, making them a strong starting point for any garden with the letter N in mind.
Rare Flowers That Beginning With N
A few N flowers are harder to find and appeal more to collectors or specialty gardeners.
- Night Blooming Cereus: Opens its large white flower only once a year, for a single night.
- Naked Man Orchid: A wild European orchid with an unusual humanoid shaped bloom.
- Nun’s Orchid: A terrestrial orchid with striking purple and white petals, less common in typical nurseries.
- Nepenthes: Tropical pitcher plants that produce small flowers alongside their famous trapping pitchers.
- Northern Pitcher Plant: A cold hardy carnivorous plant native to bogs in North America.
These species often require specific humidity, soil acidity, or light conditions, so they are best suited to experienced growers.
Purple Flowers That Start With N
Purple is one of the most common colors among N flowers, especially in the Nemesia and Nepeta families.
| Flower | Shade of Purple | Bloom Season |
| Nepeta (Catmint) | Lavender purple | Late spring to fall |
| Nemesia | Deep violet | Spring to summer |
| Nierembergia | Soft periwinkle | Summer |
| Northern Marsh Orchid | Magenta purple | Late spring |
| Naked Man Orchid | Pale mauve | Spring |
| Nolana Paradoxa | Blue purple | Summer |
Purple N flowers pair well with silver foliage plants and white blooms for a classic cottage garden look.
Perennials That Start With N
Perennial N flowers return every year without needing to be replanted, which makes them cost effective over time.
- Nepeta: Extremely hardy and tolerant of poor soil.
- Nerine: Produces spidery pink blooms in late summer to fall.
- New England Aster: A native perennial that supports pollinators into autumn.
- Ninebark: A flowering shrub with peeling bark for winter interest.
- Nodding Onion: A native bulb with pale pink, drooping flower clusters.
Most perennial N flowers prefer well drained soil and at least four to six hours of direct sun daily.
Annual Flowers That Start With N
Annuals grow, bloom, and die within a single season, which makes them ideal for gardeners who like to change their color scheme yearly.
- Nasturtium: Fast growing and self seeding in mild climates.
- Nemesia: Reliable for containers and hanging baskets.
- Nicotiana: Tall varieties work well as a backdrop in flower borders.
- Nigella: Grown as much for its decorative seed pods as its flowers.
- Nemophila: A low growing annual with sky blue, white centered flowers.
Annual N flowers are typically started from seed in early spring after the last frost date for the region.
Indoor Or Protected Space Picks
Several N flowers do best indoors or in greenhouses, especially in colder climates.
- Neoregelia: A bromeliad grown for its colorful rosette and small central flower.
- Nun’s Orchid: Thrives in bright, indirect indoor light with high humidity.
- Nepenthes: Needs consistent warmth and humidity, making it a common terrarium plant.
- Natal Lily (Clivia): Tolerates low light and blooms in late winter indoors.
For apartment or office growers, Clivia and Neoregelia are the most forgiving choices on this list.
Fragrant N Flowers
Fragrance is one of the strongest selling points among N flowers, particularly those that bloom at night.
- Night Jasmine (Raat ki Rani): Releases a strong, sweet scent after sunset.
- Nicotiana: Especially fragrant in the evening, attracting moths.
- Nemesia: Some varieties have a light citrus scent.
- Night Phlox: Opens in the evening with a vanilla like fragrance.
Planting fragrant N flowers near windows, patios, or seating areas makes their scent more noticeable in the evening.
Beginner Friendly Choices
New gardeners should start with N flowers that tolerate mistakes in watering, soil, or timing.
- Narcissus: Nearly impossible to overwater once established and resists pests.
- Nasturtium: Grows in poor soil and needs minimal fertilizer.
- Nepeta: Survives drought and requires little maintenance once established.
- Nemesia: Needs regular watering but responds well to simple care routines.
These four flowers forgive common beginner errors like inconsistent watering or planting slightly too early or late.
How To Use This List In Garden Planning
Use this list as a starting filter based on your specific goal, whether that is color, fragrance, water access, or available space.
Cross reference the category headings above with your garden’s sun exposure and climate zone before finalizing your plant list.
Container And Small Space Picks
- Nasturtium: Trails nicely over the edge of pots.
- Nemesia: Compact growth suits small containers and window boxes.
- Neoregelia: Works well as an indoor accent plant in small pots.
- Nolina: A slow growing option for a statement container plant.
Pollinator Friendly And Meadow Picks
- Nepeta: A strong bee magnet throughout its bloom period.
- New England Aster: Feeds late season pollinators including migrating monarchs.
- Nodding Onion: Attracts native bees and small butterflies.
- Nigella: Draws in beneficial insects while also self seeding for next year.
Cut Flower And Bouquet Favorites
- Narcissus: A classic spring cut flower with a long vase life.
- Nerine: Adds unusual texture to fall arrangements.
- Nicotiana: Provides height and fragrance to mixed bouquets.
- Nigella: Its seed pods are popular in dried flower arrangements.
Water And Pond Flower Picks
- Nymphaea (Water Lily): The most recognizable N flower for ponds, available in many colors.
- Nuphar (Yellow Pond Lily): A hardy native option for cooler climates.
- Watercress Flower: Grows in slow moving water and produces small white blooms.
FAQ’s
What flower starts with the letter N and is most common?
Narcissus, also called the daffodil, is the most common and widely grown N flower worldwide.
Are there any purple flowers that start with N?
Yes, Nepeta, Nemesia, and Nierembergia all commonly bloom in shades of purple.
What is a rare flower starting with N?
Night Blooming Cereus is considered rare because it flowers only once a year, for one night.
Can Nasturtium flowers be eaten?
Yes, Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible and have a mild peppery flavor.
Is Nepeta the same as catnip?
Nepeta is the genus, and catnip is one specific species within it called Nepeta cataria.
What N flower is best for beginners?
Narcissus and Nasturtium are both low maintenance and forgiving for new gardeners.
Do any N flowers grow in water or ponds?
Yes, Nymphaea and Nuphar are both true aquatic flowers grown in ponds.
Final Thoughts
Flowers that start with N range from the familiar Narcissus to rare finds like the Night Blooming Cereus. This variety means there is an N flower suited to nearly every garden type, climate, and skill level.
Start with the beginner friendly picks if you are new to gardening, then expand into fragrant or rare varieties as your confidence grows. With this list, you have a reliable reference for choosing, planting, and caring for N flowers all year round.
