This list includes 45 Plants that start with A that begin with A, from “African daisy” to “Azuki bean”. Many are popular ornamentals, edible crops, or native species used in landscaping and restoration.
Plants that start with A are species whose common names begin with the letter A. From “African daisy” to “azuki bean”, this group includes ornamentals and long-cultivated food plants.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA hardiness zones, Type, and Species page.
Common name: The widely used name helps you quickly recognize plants by familiar terms in your region.
Scientific name: The full binomial gives precise species identification and helps you find detailed botanical information.
USDA hardiness zones: Shows the typical cold-tolerance range so you can assess if a plant suits your climate.
Type: Labels like tree, shrub, perennial, or annual let you plan placement and maintenance for each plant.
Species page: Links lead to detailed profiles with cultivation tips, images, and distribution notes for your use.
Plants that start with A
| Name | Scientific name | Type | USDA zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agave | Agave americana | succulent | 8-11 |
| Aloe | Aloe vera | succulent | 9-11 |
| Allium | Allium giganteum | bulb | 4-8 |
| Almond | Prunus dulcis | tree | 7-9 |
| Apple | Malus domestica | tree | 4-8 |
| Apricot | Prunus armeniaca | tree | 5-8 |
| Asparagus | Asparagus officinalis | perennial | 3-8 |
| Avocado | Persea americana | tree | 9-11 |
| Azalea | Rhododendron indicum | shrub | 6-9 |
| Amur maple | Acer ginnala | tree | 3-8 |
| Ash | Fraxinus excelsior | tree | 4-9 |
| Aspen | Populus tremuloides | tree | 1-7 |
| Azuki bean | Vigna angularis | annual | Warm-season annual |
| Anemone | Anemone coronaria | perennial | 7-10 |
| Angelica | Angelica archangelica | perennial | 3-7 |
| Amaranth | Amaranthus cruentus | annual | Warm-season annual |
| Amaryllis | Amaryllis belladonna | bulb | 7-10 |
| Alyssum | Lobularia maritima | annual | Cool-season annual |
| Alocasia | Alocasia macrorrhiza | perennial | Tender; grown as houseplant |
| Alstroemeria | Alstroemeria aurea | perennial | 6-10 |
| Amelanchier | Amelanchier alnifolia | shrub | 2-7 |
| Anise hyssop | Agastache foeniculum | perennial | 4-9 |
| Arnica | Arnica montana | perennial | 3-7 |
| Azolla | Azolla filiculoides | fern | Aquatic; temperate to warm climates |
| Autumn olive | Elaeagnus umbellata | shrub | 3-7 |
| Aubrieta | Aubrieta deltoidea | groundcover | 4-8 |
| Autumn crocus | Colchicum autumnale | bulb | 4-8 |
| Allspice | Pimenta dioica | shrub | 10-11 |
| Alfalfa | Medicago sativa | perennial | 3-10 |
| Apple mint | Mentha suaveolens | perennial | 5-9 |
| Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis | tree | 3-7 |
| Angel’s trumpet | Brugmansia arborea | shrub | Tender; grown as container/tropical |
| Aronia | Aronia melanocarpa | shrub | 3-8 |
| Arrowwood viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | shrub | 4-8 |
| Autumn sage | Salvia greggii | shrub | 7-10 |
| Anthurium | Anthurium andraeanum | perennial | Tropical; grown as houseplant |
| Arrowroot | Maranta arundinacea | perennial | Tropical; frost-tender |
| Artichoke | Cynara scolymus | perennial | 7-11 |
| Asphodel | Asphodelus aestivus | perennial | 7-10 |
| Aspidistra | Aspidistra elatior | perennial | 7-10 |
| Autumn fern | Dryopteris erythrosora | fern | 5-9 |
| African violet | Streptocarpus ionanthus | perennial | Houseplant; tender |
| African daisy | Osteospermum ecklonis | perennial | 9-11 |
| Apple of Peru | Nicandra physalodes | annual | Tender annual; grown as ornamental |
| Anise | Pimpinella anisum | annual | Cool-season annual |
Descriptions
Agave
Large rosette succulent from Mexico; drought-tolerant and dramatic, with tall flower spikes; best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Aloe
Succulent houseplant prized for soothing gel; easy in containers with bright light and minimal water; native to dry regions.
Allium
Ornamental onion with tall stems and purple globe flowers; excellent for pollinators and cut bouquets; plant bulbs in sunny, well-drained soil.
Almond
Nut tree with showy spring blossoms; requires chill hours and warm, dry summers; common in Mediterranean climates.
Apple
Widely grown fruit tree with many cultivars; needs cold dormancy, regular pruning and good pollination; choose varieties for your zone.
Apricot
Early-blooming fruit tree with sweet fruit; prefers full sun and well-drained soil but is sensitive to late frosts.
Asparagus
Long-lived edible perennial producing tender spears each spring; plant crowns in rich soil and expect 2–3 years before full harvest.
Avocado
Tropical/subtropical fruit tree; frost-tender and needs warm winters and good drainage, often grown in containers in cooler areas.
Azalea
Flowering shrub with abundant spring blooms; prefers acidic, well-drained soil and partial shade; many colorful hybrids available.
Amur maple
Small ornamental maple with glossy leaves and brilliant red fall color; useful as specimen or hedge, tolerant of urban sites.
Ash
Large shade tree with pinnate leaves; historically common in temperate landscapes; watch for pests like emerald ash borer in some regions.
Aspen
Fast-growing tree known for trembling leaves and clonal groves; suited to cool, well-drained sites and wild landscapes.
Azuki bean
Small red bean used in Asian cooking; grow as a warm-season crop in hot, well-drained soils.
Anemone
Colorful spring-blooming bulbs with poppy-like flowers; great in borders or containers, prefers sun to part shade.
Angelica
Tall aromatic herb used culinarily and medicinally; likes moist, rich soil and partial shade; biennial tendencies in some climates.
Amaranth
Bold foliage and edible seeds; fast-growing summer annual that tolerates heat and poor soils.
Amaryllis
Bulb with large trumpet flowers often forced indoors; plant in well-drained soil and bright light for best blooms.
Alyssum
Fragrant low bedding plant with masses of tiny flowers; great for borders and pollinators, often grown as a cool-season annual.
Alocasia
Tropical ‘elephant ear’ with dramatic leaves; needs humidity, bright indirect light and protection from frost.
Alstroemeria
Peruvian lily prized for long-lasting cut flowers; prefers well-drained soil, regular water and protection from extreme heat.
Amelanchier
Serviceberry with spring blossoms, edible berries and attractive fall color; multi-season interest and wildlife value.
Anise hyssop
Mint-family herb with fragrant foliage and spiky flowers; attracts pollinators and tolerates drought once established.
Arnica
Alpine herb used medicinally; prefers cool, well-drained meadow soils and full sun to part shade.
Azolla
Free-floating water fern used in ponds and as green manure; fast-growing in warm, nutrient-rich water.
Autumn olive
Fast-growing shrub with silvery leaves and edible berries; tolerant of poor soils but invasive in some regions.
Aubrieta
Low, spring-flowering rock garden groundcover with purple blooms; prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
Autumn crocus
Fall-blooming bulbs producing crocus-like flowers; toxic if ingested; plant in sunny, well-drained sites.
Allspice
Tropical spice tree producing aromatic berries used like cinnamon and clove; frost-tender, best in warm climates or containers.
Alfalfa
Deep-rooted forage legume and soil improver; drought-tolerant once established and suited to full sun and well-drained soils.
Apple mint
Fragrant, spreading mint with fuzzy leaves; great in teas and salads but can be invasive—contain roots or grow in pots.
Arborvitae
Evergreen conifer commonly used for hedges and screens; prefers moist, well-drained soil and sun to part shade.
Angel’s trumpet
Tender shrub with large, fragrant trumpet flowers; highly toxic if ingested; grow outdoors in warm climates or as container plant.
Aronia
Hardy shrub with white spring flowers, dark edible berries and vivid fall color; low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly.
Arrowwood viburnum
Native shrub with flat flower clusters and blue-black berries; good for hedges and wildlife plantings.
Autumn sage
Drought-tolerant flowering shrub with hummingbird-attracting blooms; thrives in sun and well-drained soil.
Anthurium
Tropical houseplant with glossy leaves and long-lasting, colorful spathes; needs humidity and bright, indirect light.
Arrowroot
Tropical rhizome grown for edible starch; suited to warm, humid gardens or as a tender crop.
Artichoke
Thistle-like perennial grown for edible flower buds; prefers sunny, mild climates and fertile, well-drained soil.
Asphodel
Mediterranean bulbous perennial with tall flower spikes; drought-tolerant and fits hot, dry garden settings.
Aspidistra
Cast-iron plant tolerant of low light and neglect; evergreen used indoors or in very shady borders.
Autumn fern
Deciduous fern with coppery new fronds; reliable in shade gardens and tolerates dry shade once established.
African violet
Popular indoor flowering plant with velvety leaves; blooms freely with bright, indirect light and regular moisture.
African daisy
Sun-loving daisy with bold colors; grown as a tender perennial in mild climates or as an annual elsewhere.
Apple of Peru
Self-seeding annual with lantern-like seed pods and blue flowers; great for cottage gardens.
Anise
Herb grown for aromatic seeds used in baking and liqueurs; prefers cool seasons and well-drained soil.