The world of flowers and plants never lacks variety, even when looking at a single letter of the alphabet. Take the letter ‘L’, for example. We’ve all heard of gorgeous flowers like lilies, lavender, and lilac. In this article, I’ll look at 50 stunning flowers that start with the letter ‘L’.
- 50 Luscious Flowers That Start With The Letter ‘L’
- 1) Laceleaf
- 2) Lady’s Mantle
- 3) Lady’s Slipper Orchids
- 4) Lamb’s Ear
- 5) Lamium
- 6) Lanceleaf Coreopsis
- 7) Lantana
- 8) Larkspur
- 9) Lavatera
- 10) Lavender
- 11) Lavender Cotton
- 12) Lavender-Pink
- 13) Leadwort
- 14) Leather Flower
- 15) Lemon Lily
- 16) Lenten Rose
- 17) Leopard Lily
- 18) Leopard’s Bane
- 19) Lemon Balm
- 20) Lewisia
- 21) Liatris
- 22) Licorice Mint
- 23) Ligularia
- 24) Ligustrum
- 25) Lilac
- 26) Lily
- 27) Lily of the Incas
- 28) Lily of the Nile
- 29) Lily of the Valley
- 30) Lily Turf
- 31) Limonium
- 32) Linaria
- 33) Lion’s Tail
- 34) Lisianthus
- 35) Lithodora
- 36) Livingstone Daisy
- 37) Lobelia
- 38) Lobster Claw
- 39) Locoweed
- 40) London Pride
- 41) Loosestrife
- 42) Lotus
- 43) Lotus Vine
- 44) Louisiana Iris
- 45) Love-in-a-Mist
- 46) Love-Lies-Bleeding
- 47) Luculia
- 48) Lungwort
- 49) Lupine
- 50) Lychnis
- Flowers That Start With ‘L’ FAQs
- Wrapping Up
50 Luscious Flowers That Start With The Letter ‘L’:
1) Laceleaf
Let’s start with one of my favorite flowers that begin with ‘L’; the laceleaf flower. Also known as anthuriums, laceleaf flowers come from Central and South America. These vibrant tropical flowers are usually grown as houseplants.
Laceleaf flowers come from the arum family (Araceae) and have beautiful elliptical or heart-shaped leaves. Many laceleaf flowers also have colorful bracts and a spadix of tiny creamy-yellow or greenish-white flowers. Laceleaf flowers can also be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 11 and 12.
| Scientific Name: | Anthurium spp. |
| Native Range: | Central & South America |
| Flowering Season: | Throughout the year |
2) Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is a beautiful herbaceous perennial from the rose family (Rosaceae). Lady’s mantle grows in clumps of hairy, palmate leaves with scalloped or toothed margins. These plants produce clusters of tiny, star-shaped yellowish-green flowers between late spring and early summer.
Lady’s mantle is native to parts of Southern Europe. These compact plants rarely exceed 1 ½ feet tall and are usually grown as ornamental plants. Interestingly, the leaves are hydrophobic, allowing beads of rainwater to collect on the leaves.
| Scientific Name: | Alchemilla mollis |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
3) Lady’s Slipper Orchids
Sometimes known as moccasin flowers, lady’s slipper orchids are some of the rarest flowers in the world. These orchids belong to the Cypripedioideae subfamily of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The Cypripedium genus refers to approximately 65 species of lady’s slipper orchids.
Lady’s slipper orchids have striking flowers protected by leafy bracts. Each flower has several colorful sepals and a slipper-like pouch called a labellum. Lady’s slipper orchids come in several colors and unique patterns.
| Scientific Name: | Cypripedium spp. |
| Native Range: | Northern Hemisphere |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
4) Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear plants are herbaceous perennials native to parts of Western Asia and the Caucasus. These compact, tactile plants are known for their furry, silvery-white tongue-shaped foliage. These leaves grow in rosettes and are accompanied by spikes of small, pinkish purple flowers in spring and summer.
These plants that start with the letter L belong to the mint or sage family (Lamiaceae). These unusual evergreens are fun to touch, especially for children. Lamb’s ear plants perform best as low-growing ornamentals in Zones 4 to 10.
| Scientific Name: | Stachys byzantina |
| Native Range: | Asia |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
5) Lamium
Commonly known as dead nettles, Lamium flowers are herbaceous annuals or perennials from the mint family. Lamium flowers are native throughout Asia, Europe, and North Africa but have become naturalized worldwide. Most species of Lamium flowers thrive in shady areas in Zones 3 to 8.
Like other members of the mint family, Lamium flowers have square stems and coarse, arrow-shaped leaves with toothed margins. From spring until fall, Lamium flowers produce whorls of hooded, sage-like flowers.
| Scientific Name: | Lamium spp. |
| Native Range: | Africa, Asia, & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
6) Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Also known as lanceleaf tickseed, lanceleaf coreopsis flowers belong to the aster or daisy family (Asteraceae). Originally native to the central and eastern United States, these cheery wildflowers thrive in grasslands and prairies across North America in in Zones 4 to 9.
Lanceleaf coreopsis flowers are herbaceous perennials with upright stems and clumps of lance-shaped leaves. Blooming from spring until summer, these wildflowers have bright yellow daisy-like flowers with notched ray petals.
| Scientific Name: | Coreopsis lanceolata |
| Native Range: | North America |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
7) Lantana
Lantana plants are perennial shrubs from the Verbena family (Verbenaceae). These tropical shrubs are native to Central and South America. However, Lantana plants have become naturalized in over 50 countries and are considered invasive in many areas.
These lovely flowers that start with the letter L have a sprawling habit and ovate, wrinkly leaves with toothed margins. The leaves produce an aromatic scent when crushed. Lantana shrubs also produce clusters of small, colorful flowers throughout the year in Zones 10 and 11.
| Scientific Name: | Lantana camara |
| Native Range: | Central & South America |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
8) Larkspur
Also known as delphiniums, larkspur flowers are colorful annuals or perennials from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). These flowers have tall, upright stems and palmate leaves with three to seven deeply divided lobes with toothed edges. Racemes of vibrant flowers with five petals bloom at the tops of the stems from summer until fall.
These flowers that start with L are native to grasslands and prairies throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Larkspur flowers thrive in Zones 3 to 9 and make excellent cut flowers.
| Scientific Name: | Delphinium spp. |
| Native Range: | Northern Hemisphere |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
9) Lavatera
Lavatera flowers are attractive herbaceous annuals or perennials from the mallow family (Malvaceae). These lovely flowers are native throughout Mediterranean Europe and thrive in Zones 7 to 10. Lavatera flowers are also known as tree mallows or regal mallows.
I love the fact these are fast-growing plants with palmate or maple-like leaves with toothed edges. What’s more, these plants produce trumpet-shaped pink, purple, or white flowers with reddish-purple centers and veins. Lavatera flowers bloom for about three months, from summer until fall.
| Scientific Name: | Lavatera trimestris |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
10) Lavender
Lavender plants are some of my favorite flowers that begin with ‘L.’ These perennial shrubs are famed for their aromatic flowers. These flowers form dense purple spikes that sway above the grayish-green or silvery-green leaves throughout summer.
Lavandula angustifolia is commonly known as English lavender or true lavender. However, despite its common name, it’s not native to England. Instead, these lavender bushes come from parts of Mediterranean Europe. Lavender shrubs grow best in full sun in Zones 5 to 9.
| Scientific Name: | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
11) Lavender Cotton
Sometimes known as cotton lavender, lavender-cotton plants are evergreen shrubs from the aster or daisy family (Asteraceae). These shrubs are native to parts of Mediterranean Europe and thrive in warm, sunny climates. Lavender-cotton shrubs grow best in Zones 6 to 9.
Lavender-cotton shrubs form dense clumps of feathery, silvery-green leaves. The leaves are also slightly aromatic. During the summer, lavender-cotton shrubs produce small, rounded yellow flowers. In addition, these shrubs are drought-tolerant and thrive in nutrient-poor soils.
| Scientific Name: | Santolina chamaecyparissus |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
12) Lavender-Pink
Lavender-pinks are more commonly known as carnations or clove pinks. These attractive herbaceous perennials belong to the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Lavender-pinks are native to parts of Mediterranean Europe, such as southwestern France. Lavender-pinks grow best in full sun and fertile, well-draining soils in Zones 6 to 9.
Interestingly, these flowers that start with L grow in clumps of bluish-green or grayish-green lance-shaped leaves. During the summer, lavender-pinks produce single, double, or semi-double saucer-shaped flowers with frilled edges. These flowers are usually pinkish-purple and produce a clove-like fragrance.
| Scientific Name: | Dianthus caryophyllus |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
13) Leadwort
Whilst not the prettiest of names, Leadworts are beautiful evergreen shrubs or climbers from the Leadwort family (Plumbaginaceae). Most types of leadworts are native to warm regions of Asia, Africa, and Europe and thrive in Zones 8 to 11. The cape leadwort (Plumbago auriculata) is native to South Africa.
These shrubs that start with L have glossy, elliptical leaves and long, slender stems that can be used to climb nearby trees. Leadworts also produce racemes of blue, pink, purple, red, or white trumpet-shaped flowers with five petals.
| Scientific Name: | Plumbago auriculata |
| Native Range: | South Africa |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
14) Leather Flower
Leather flowers are a beautiful variety of clematis native to woodlands throughout the southeastern United States. Like other types of clematis, leather flowers come from the buttercup family. These clematis vines belong to the Viorna group and grow best in Zones 4 to 9.
Leather flowers are herbaceous perennial climbing vines showcasing pinnate leaves consisting of between four and eight elliptical leaflets. These clematis plants also have purple to reddish-purple urn-shaped flowers with recurved tips.
| Scientific Name: | Clematis viorna |
| Native Range: | United States |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
15) Lemon Lily
Lemon lilies are another of the world’s rarest flowers that begin with the letter ‘L.’ During the summer, these breathtaking lilies have racemes of bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. The stems also have whorls of slender, lance-shaped leaves.
These lovely flowers are native to the United States’ southwestern regions and northwestern parts of Mexico. Sadly, this species is suffering from habitat loss. Lemon lilies belong to the lily family (Liliaceae) and were named after the 19th Century British-American botanist Charles Christopher Parry.
| Scientific Name: | Lilium parryi |
| Native Range: | United States |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
16) Lenten Rose
Lenten roses are a type of hellebore flower from the buttercup family. Lenten roses are evergreen shrubs that are native to Greece and Turkey. In my experience, these are fantastic ornamentals to grow in Zones 4 to 9.
Lenten roses are upright shrubs with glossy, leathery palmate leaves divided into seven and nine leaflets. What’s more, these hellebores produce pink cup-shaped flowers with burgundy spots surrounding the central stamens. Lenten roses bloom from late winter until spring.
| Scientific Name: | Helleborus orientalis |
| Native Range: | Greece & Turkey |
| Flowering Season: | Winter to spring |
17) Leopard Lily
Also known as blackberry lilies or leopard flowers, leopard lilies are herbaceous perennials native to Eastern Asia. Despite their common name, these flowers aren’t actually lilies. Instead, they are a type of iris from the Iridaceae family.
Leopard lilies grow from shallow, horizontal rhizomes and produce fans of lance-shaped leaves. Leopard lilies also have reddish-orange flowers with five petals covered in dark red spots. These flowers are widely cultivated as ornamentals and grow best in Zones 5 to 10.
| Scientific Name: | Iris domestica |
| Native Range: | Eastern Asia |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
18) Leopard’s Bane
Leopard’s bane flowers are herbaceous perennials from the aster or daisy family. These attractive flowers have cheery, bright yellow daisy-like blooms that emerge in the spring. These plants grow in clumps of heart-shaped basal leaves with scalloped edges.
These flowers that start with the letter L are native to parts of Southeastern Europe such as Greece, Hungary, and Italy. These flowers grow up to 2 feet tall and inhabit woodland areas and rocky outcrops. Leopard’s bane flowers are relatively easy to grow in Zones 4 to 8.
| Scientific Name: | Doronicum orientale |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
19) Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is one of my favorite flowers that start with ‘L.’ These herbaceous perennials come from the mint family. Lemon balm is native to parts of Central Asia and Mediterranean Europe but can also be grown in Zones 3 to 7.
I love that they grow in a bushy clump of coarse, heart-shaped leaves with toothed margins. The leaves produce a lovely lemony scent, especially when crushed. During the summer, lemon balm has tiny purple or white flowers popular with bees.
| Scientific Name: | Melissa officinalis |
| Native Range: | Asia & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
20) Lewisia
Lewisia flowers are a group of evergreen perennials native to western regions of North America. These attractive flowers come from the Montiaceae family and are named after renowned explorer Meriwether Lewis. Lewisia cotyledon is commonly known as the Siskiyou lewisia and grows best in Zones 3 to 8.
Lewisia flowers grow in clumps of fleshy elliptical, or oval-shaped leaves. Interestingly, these hardy plants also produce inflorescences of up to 50 pink, white, or yellow flowers from spring until summer.
| Scientific Name: | Lewisia cotyledon |
| Native Range: | North America |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
21) Liatris
Liatris flowers are commonly known as blazing star or gayfeathers. These herbaceous perennial wildflowers come from the daisy family and are native to eastern regions of North America. Liatris flowers grow well in Zones 3 to 10 and are perfect for wildflower borders.
These flowers that start with the letter L begin as clumps of slender, grass-like leaves that turn reddish-brown in the fall. During the summer, Liatris plants produce dense, upright spikes of colorful, feathery flowers. The flowers can be pink, purple, red, and white.
| Scientific Name: | Liatris spicata |
| Native Range: | North America |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
22) Licorice Mint
Licorice mint is commonly known as Mexican hyssop or sunset hyssop. These upright perennials grow in clumps of slender, feathery, grayish-green leaves. During the summer, licorice mint produces spikes of pinkish-orange and purple tubular flowers.
They are native to parts of the southwestern United States, such as Arizona and New Mexico. As expected, Licorice mint belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). These attractive flowers grow best in Zones 5 to 9.
| Scientific Name: | Agastache rupestris |
| Native Range: | Mexico & Southwestern US |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
23) Ligularia
Ligularia flowers are more commonly known as leopard plants. These brightly colored flowers come from the groundsel tribe of the aster or daisy family. Ligularia flowers are native to parts of Eastern Asia, including China and Japan.
These herbaceous perennials have upright reddish-brown stems that produce clusters of bright yellow daisy-like flowers. Plus, ligularia flowers bloom from summer to fall and thrive in Zones 3 to 8, showcasing clumps of leathery, rounded flowers with toothed edges.
| Scientific Name: | Ligularia spp. |
| Native Range: | Eastern Asia |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
24) Ligustrum
Ligustrum plants are a group of evergreen or deciduous shrubs and trees commonly known as privet. These plants come from the olive family (Oleaceae) and are native to parts of Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
These adaptable shrubs grow best in Zones 5 to 8 and are frequently grown as hedges. Ligustrum shrubs have thick, glossy elliptical, or ovate leaves. What’s more, during the summer, these shrubs also have dense clusters of small, white flowers followed by shiny black fruits.
| Scientific Name: | Ligustrum spp. |
| Native Range: | Asia, Africa, Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
25) Lilac
Lilac flowers are some of the most well-known flowers that begin with the letter ‘L.’ In late spring, these deciduous shrubs produce dense panicles of small, tubular pink, purple, or white flowers. These exquisite blooms emit a wonderfully thick, heady fragrance.
These fragrant shrubs belong to the olive family and come from the Balkans in southeastern Europe. Lilac shrubs are now cultivated worldwide and thrive in Zones 3 to 7. Lilac flowers symbolize love and the joy of youth.
| Scientific Name: | Syringa vulgaris |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
26) Lily
In my opinion, few flowers have as much visual impact as lilies. These breathtaking flowers have large trumpet-shaped blooms, recurved petals or tepals, and attractive markings. What’s more, lily flowers also produce various levels of fragrance. Lilies grow from underground bulbs and have lance-shaped leaves.
Lilies, more accurately known as true lilies, belong to the Liliaceae family. These flowers that start with the letter L have a broad native range across the Northern Hemisphere. These beautiful flowers are divided into various types and typically thrive in Zones 3 to 9.
| Scientific Name: | Lilium spp. |
| Native Range: | Northern Hemisphere |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
27) Lily of the Incas
Lily of the Incas is another name for Alstroemeria flowers, sometimes known as Peruvian lilies. Despite their common name, these flowers aren’t true lilies and instead belong to the Alstroemeriaceae family. These beautiful flowers are native to South America.
Alstroemeria flowers are tuberous perennials with wavy, lance-shaped leaves. They stand out for their dramatic, colorful flowers with six petals and intricate patterns. Alstroemeria flowers thrive in Zones 7 to 10 and last for up to two weeks in a vase.
| Scientific Name: | Alstroemeria spp. |
| Native Range: | South America |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
28) Lily of the Nile
Lily of the Nile flowers are more commonly known as African lilies or agapanthus flowers. These herbaceous perennials belong to the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) and are native to southern regions of Africa but are often cultivated in Zones 8 to 10.
I love that these colorful perennials produce clumps of leathery lance-shaped leaves and upright, fleshy stems. These stems are topped with rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers during the summer. These exotic flowers come in shades of blue, purple, and white.
| Scientific Name: | Agapanthus spp. |
| Native Range: | Africa |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
29) Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley flowers are elegant perennials that grow in woodland habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. These flowers belong to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Lily of the Valley flowers are also one of the official May birth flowers.
These herbaceous perennials grow from rhizomes and produce one or two leaves per stem. During the spring, lily of the valley plants have sprays of delicate white bell-shaped flowers. What’s more, Lily of the Valley flowers also emits a sweet fragrance.
| Scientific Name: | Convallaria majalis |
| Native Range: | Northern Hemisphere |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
30) Lily Turf
Lily turf flowers are herbaceous perennials from the asparagus family. These prolific plants form clumps of glossy, arching grass-like leaves. During the summer, lily turf plants produce showy spikes of tiny purple or white flowers.
At a glance, lily turf flowers look similar to grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.). These perennials are originally native to Eastern Asia. However, they are now widely naturalized and may be considered invasive in some parts of North America.
| Scientific Name: | Liriope muscari |
| Native Range: | East Asia |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
31) Limonium
Limonium flowers are commonly known as marsh-rosemary or sea lavenders. These herbaceous perennials come from the leadwort family (Plumbaginaceae). As their common name suggests, Limonium flowers have adapted to grow in coastal or wetland habitats.
Limonium flowers are native throughout the Northern Hemisphere. These perennials produce basal rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves with clusters of tiny, trumpet-shaped flowers with papery petals. As an added bonus, these flowers come in shades of blue, pink, purple, orange, yellow, and white.
| Scientific Name: | Limonium spp. |
| Native Range: | Northern Hemisphere |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
32) Linaria
Linaria flowers are colorful annual or perennial plants commonly known as toadflax. These beautiful wildflowers are native to parts of Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Linaria flowers belong to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae).
These herbaceous wildflowers have stiff, upright stems that produce whorls of slender lance-shaped leaves. What’s more, these plants that start with L also have terminal clusters of colorful flowers similar to snapdragons. Linaria flowers come in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white.
| Scientific Name: | Linaria spp. |
| Native Range: | Asia, Africa, & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
33) Lion’s Tail
Also known as wild dagga flowers, Lion’s tail flowers are evergreen shrubs from the mint family. These perennials have upright stems and dark green, lance-shaped leaves. Lion’s tail plants also have whorls of tubular orange flowers with fine hairs.
These flowers come from southern parts of Africa, including South Africa. Lion’s tail leaves give off an aromatic fragrance when crushed. Lion’s tail flowers can also be cultivated in Zones 8 to 11.
| Scientific Name: | Leonotis leonurus |
| Native Range: | Africa |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
34) Lisianthus
Lisianthus flowers are commonly known as prairie gentian or Texas bluebells. These beautiful flowers come from the Gentian family (Gentianaceae). These lovely flowers that start with the letter L are native to grasslands and prairies across North America and Mexico.
Interestingly, these plants have waxy, elliptical bluish-green leaves and upright, branching stems. From summer until fall, Lisianthus plants have blue, pink, or white bell-shaped flowers. The richly-colored petals also have a waxy feel. Lisianthus flowers grow best in Zones 8 to 10.
| Scientific Name: | Eustoma grandiflorum |
| Native Range: | North America |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
35) Lithodora
Commonly known as purple gromwell, Lithodora flowers are evergreen shrubs from the borage family (Boraginaceae). These plants form low-growing mats of hairy lance-shaped leaves. Lithodora plants also have terminal clusters of small, star-shaped blue flowers.
These intriguing flowers are native to parts of Europe, especially around the Mediterranean. These shrubs rarely grow more than a foot tall but can spread up to 3 feet wide. Lithodora flowers make excellent ground cover plants in Zones 6 to 8.
| Scientific Name: | Lithodora diffusa |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
36) Livingstone Daisy
Livingstone daisies are also known as ice plants. These low-growing succulents belong to the fig-marigold family (Aizoaceae). Livingstone daisies are native to parts of Africa and Europe but have also become naturalized in the Americas.
These flowers that start with L form creeping mats of stems with small, succulent leaf rosettes. These plants also have bubble-like bladder cells that store excess salt. From spring until fall, Livingstone daisies produce daisy-like flowers with several thin ray petals.
| Scientific Name: | Mesembryanthemum crystallinum |
| Native Range: | Africa & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
37) Lobelia
Lobelias are gorgeous, colorful flowers from the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). These herbaceous perennials are native to southern regions of Africa. In Zones 2 to 11, lobelias are often grown as annuals or ground cover plants.
Lobelia flowers have a spreading or climbing habit and produce basal rosettes of oval-shaped leaves with toothed edges. The stems also have slender lance-shaped leaves. From spring until fall, lobelias are laden with blue, pink, purple, or white flowers with yellow centers.
| Scientific Name: | Lobelia erinus |
| Native Range: | Africa |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
38) Lobster Claw
Lobster claw plants are herbaceous perennials that produce large, banana-like dark green leaves. Lobster claw plants also have hanging racemes of red claw-shaped bracts with yellowish-green edges. These bracts protect small, yellowish-white flowers that hummingbirds frequently visit.
These tropical evergreens come from the Heliconiaceae family and are native to parts of Central and South America. Lobster claw flowers thrive in warm, humid climates and full sun in Zones 10 and 11.
| Scientific Name: | Heliconia rostrata |
| Native Range: | Central & South America |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
39) Locoweed
Locoweed flowers are commonly known as milkvetch plants. These annual or perennial herbs and shrubs are native throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Locoweed flowers come from the legume or pea family (Fabaceae).
What’s more, these plants have long compound leaves consisting of between 15 and 20 bluish-green, elliptical leaflets. These plants produce colorful racemes of tubular pink or purple pea-like flowers. Each raceme contains up to 15 flowers. Locoweed blooms during spring and summer in Zones 3 to 6.
| Scientific Name: | Astragalus spp. |
| Native Range: | Northern Hemisphere |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
40) London Pride
London pride is a charismatic flowering perennial native to Europe. This plant comes from the Saxifragaceae family and is actually a hybrid between Saxifraga umbrosa and Saxifraga spathularis. London Pride works well as an evergreen ground cover plant in Zones 6 and 7.
I love that London pride plants form mats of succulent-like rosettes of evergreen leaves with scalloped margins. During spring and summer, panicles of small white flowers emerge above the leaves. London pride prefers shady conditions.
| Scientific Name: | Saxifraga x urbium |
| Native Range: | Spain |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
41) Loosestrife
Loosestrife flowers are herbaceous perennials from the Lythraceae family. These flowers showcase upright reddish-purple stems that bear whorls of lanceolate leaves. During the summer, loosestrife plants stand out for their dense spikes of small pink, purple, or white flowers with six petals.
These herbaceous perennials are native to temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Loosestrife flowers have also become naturalized in the Americas and Australia. These plants thrive in wetland habitats in Zones 4 to 9.
| Scientific Name: | Lythrum salicaria |
| Native Range: | Asia, Africa, & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
42) Lotus
Sometimes known as Indian lotuses or sacred lotuses, lotus flowers are gorgeous aquatic flowers from the Nelumbonaceae family. Lotus flowers are native to rivers and ponds throughout Asia.
These beautiful and symbolic flowers that start with the letter L have umbrella-like leaves that float on the water, supported by thick anchor-like rhizomes. Each leaf can grow up to 2 feet wide. Lotuses have large pink or white flowers with overlapping petals. Each flower only lasts a few days and produces a sweet, spicy fragrance.
| Scientific Name: | Nelumbo nucifera |
| Native Range: | Asia |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
43) Lotus Vine
Lotus vines are more commonly known as parrot’s beak flowers. These low-growing evergreen shrubs belong to the pea family and are native to the Spanish Canary Islands. Unfortunately, lotus vines are likely extinct in the wild and now only survive in cultivation in Zones 10 to 12.
Lotus vines form prostrate clumps of upright stems that have whorls of needle-like, silvery-green leaves. From early spring until early summer, lotus vines have large, beak-shaped crimson blooms.
| Scientific Name: | Lotus berthelotii |
| Native Range: | Canary Islands |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
44) Louisiana Iris
Commonly known as copper irises, Louisiana irises are native to central and southern regions of the United States. Louisiana irises belong to the Iridaceae family. These attractive irises grow best in moist soils in Zones 6 to 9.
Louisiana irises grow in clumps of bright green lance-shaped leaves. During spring and summer, fleshy upright stalks emerge to bear the flowers. Unusually for an iris, Louisiana irises have large copper-orange flowers that are beardless and flat-topped.
| Scientific Name: | Iris fulva |
| Native Range: | United States |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
45) Love-in-a-Mist
Love-in-a-Mist flowers are herbaceous annuals from the buttercup family. These annuals grow in bushy clumps of feathery leaves. This ‘mist’ of leaves surrounds beautiful flowers that have overlapping ranks of blue, pink, purple, or white petals. Bulbous yellowish-green seed pods follow the flowers.
These flowers that start with the letter L are native to cool climates across Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Love-in-a-mist can be grown as an annual in Zones 2 to 11, but be aware that it can self-seed prolifically.
| Scientific Name: | Nigella damascena |
| Native Range: | Asia, Africa, & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
46) Love-Lies-Bleeding
Also known as pendant amaranth, love-lies-bleeding is a herbaceous annual from the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Love-lies-bleeding is native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Many parts of this plant are edible and were harvested as a food source throughout South America.
Interestingly, these flowers grow in clumps of light green, ovate leaves. From summer to fall, love-lies-bleeding produces hanging racemes densely packed with tiny red flowers. Love-lies-bleeding grows best in Zones 2 to 11.
| Scientific Name: | Amaranthus caudatus |
| Native Range: | Central & South America |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
47) Luculia
Luculia flowers are evergreen flowering shrubs from the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Luculia shrubs are native to parts of Asia, including China, India, and the Himalayas. Luculia flowers are also popular as ornamental shrubs in Zones 9 to 11.
I love that these plants have glossy oval-shaped leaves and usually grow between 10 and 13 feet tall. Luculia shrubs produce clusters of pale pink or white star-shaped flowers during the fall. These flowers have a lovely fragrance similar to that of gardenia flowers.
| Scientific Name: | Luculia gratissima |
| Native Range: | Asia |
| Flowering Season: | Fall |
48) Lungwort
Not my favorite name for a beautiful flower, Lungworts are herbaceous perennials from the borage family (Boraginaceae). These flowers that start with the letter L are native to Europe and are one of the most widespread plants in their native range. They thrive in woodlands and grow best in shady areas in Zones 3 to 8.
What’s more, these plants have distinctive cordate evergreen leaves with pointed tips. These leaves are often marked with pale green or white spots. Plus, from late winter until early spring, lungworts produce terminal clusters of pink or red flowers that gradually turn blue or purple.
| Scientific Name: | Pulmonaria officinalis |
| Native Range: | Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Winter to spring |
49) Lupine
Also known as bluebonnets, lupine flowers are herbaceous perennials from the pea family (Fabaceae). These colorful flowers are native to grasslands and prairies across North and South America. Lupines can also be grown as showy ornamental plants in Zones 6 to 10.
Interestingly, they grow in dense clumps of soft, grayish-green leaves that may have fine hairs. Moreover, lupines flower between spring and summer, producing colorful blue, pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers spikes.
| Scientific Name: | Lupinus spp. |
| Native Range: | North & South America |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
50) Lychnis
Lychnis flowers are more commonly known as campions or catchfly flowers. These widespread wildflowers are native to parts of Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Lychnis flowers belong to the carnation or pink family (Caryophyllaceae) and are also included in the Silene genus.
I love the fact these plants are evergreen perennials with upright, gray stalks and rosettes of silvery-gray leaves. These elliptical leaves are typically covered in woolly hairs. Lychnis plants also have trumpet-shaped pink, red, or white flowers that bloom during spring and summer.
| Scientific Name: | Lychnis spp. |
| Native Range: | Asia, Africa, & Europe |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
Flowers That Start With ‘L’ FAQs:
What Plant Starts With the Letter ‘L’?
Several breathtaking plants start with the letter ‘L’. Some of the most common ones include lavender (Lavandula spp.), lilies (Lilium spp.), and lily of the Incas (Alstroemeria spp.). All of these plants have stunning flowers.
What is a Fragrant Flower That Starts With ‘L’?
Many flowers that start with ‘L’ also produce lovely fragrances. Lavender shrubs and lilac trees are two of the most fragrant flowers that begin with the letter ‘L.’ Lilac, in particular, emits a strong, heady fragrance.
What is a Spring Flower That Starts With An ‘L’?
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a gorgeous spring flower that starts with ‘L’. Lily of the Valley is a herbaceous perennial that thrives in woodlands. The sprays of white bell-shaped flowers emit a lovely sweet scent.
What Perennial Plant Starts With the Letter ‘L’?
Lavender and lilac flowers are some of the most popular perennial plants that start with the letter ‘L’. Lavender shrubs come from the Mediterranean, while lilac trees are native to parts of Asia and southeastern Europe.
Are There Any Rare Flowers That Start With the Letter ‘L’?
Unfortunately, several beautiful flowers starting with the letter ‘L’ are rare. Among these are lady’s slipper orchids (Cypripediodeae) and lemon lilies (Lilium parryi). Lady’s slipper orchids are native to Central America, while lemon lilies are native to southwestern regions of the United States.
Wrapping Up
As we can see, several of the world’s most popular flowers start with the letter ‘L.’ These include lavender, lilac, lilies, larkspur, and lupine flowers. You could even build your entire garden around plants that exclusively begin with ‘L.’ Many of these flowers create an array of gorgeous colors and beautiful fragrances throughout the year.
For more, see our in-depth guide to:
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘A’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘B’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘C’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘D’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘E’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘F’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘G’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘H’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘I’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘J’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘K’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘M’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘N’
- 50 beautiful flowers that start with the letter ‘O’
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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