This list includes 43 Plants that start with H, from “Habanero” to “Hyssop”. They span herbs, ornamentals, shrubs, trees and succulents commonly grown or found worldwide, and are used for food, medicine, fragrance and landscape plantings.
Plants that start with H are species whose common English names begin with the letter H, ranging from fiery peppers to aromatic herbs. For example, habanero peppers trace back to Mesoamerican cuisine, while hyssop appears in long-standing herbal and cultural traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA zones, Type and Species page links.
Common name: The everyday name you know and use, helping you scan the list quickly for familiar plants.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives the precise species identity so you can find exact care and distribution details.
USDA zones: A simple hardiness range that helps you judge whether a plant tolerates your local winter temperatures.
Type: A short label (tree, shrub, perennial, annual, succulent, grass, fern, vine) showing the plant’s growth habit and landscape role.
Species page: Direct links you can follow for in-depth descriptions, cultivation tips, images and regional distribution information.
Plants that start with H
| Common Name | Scientific Name | USDA Zones | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habanero | Capsicum chinense | varies | annual |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | 2-9 | tree |
| Hakea | Hakea laurina | 8-10 | shrub |
| Heliotrope | Heliotropium arborescens | varies | perennial |
| Heliconia | Heliconia rostrata | 9-11 | perennial |
| Hellebore | Helleborus orientalis | 4-9 | perennial |
| Hemp | Cannabis sativa | varies | annual |
| Henbane | Hyoscyamus niger | varies | biennial |
| Hepatica | Hepatica nobilis | 3-8 | perennial |
| Heuchera | Heuchera americana | 4-9 | perennial |
| Hardy hibiscus | Hibiscus moscheutos | 5-9 | perennial |
| Holly | Ilex aquifolium | 6-9 | shrub |
| Hollyhock | Alcea rosea | 3-8 | biennial |
| Holm oak | Quercus ilex | 7-10 | tree |
| Honeyberry | Lonicera caerulea | 2-7 | shrub |
| Honeylocust | Gleditsia triacanthos | 3-9 | tree |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera japonica | 4-9 | vine |
| Hop | Humulus lupulus | 3-8 | vine |
| Hopbush | Dodonaea viscosa | 9-11 | shrub |
| Hosta | Hosta sieboldiana | 3-9 | perennial |
| Hyacinth | Hyacinthus orientalis | 3-9 | bulb |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangea macrophylla | 5-9 | shrub |
| Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis | 4-9 | perennial |
| Hoya | Hoya carnosa | varies | vine |
| Horse chestnut | Aesculus hippocastanum | 3-7 | tree |
| Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | 3-9 | perennial |
| Horseradish | Armoracia rusticana | 3-9 | perennial |
| Hogweed | Heracleum mantegazzianum | varies | perennial |
| Hoptree | Ptelea trifoliata | 4-8 | tree |
| Horseweed | Conyza canadensis | varies | annual |
| Hoary cress | Lepidium draba | varies | perennial |
| Himalayan birch | Betula utilis | 2-6 | tree |
| Heavenly bamboo | Nandina domestica | 6-9 | shrub |
| Hyacinth bean | Lablab purpureus | varies | vine |
| Heather | Calluna vulgaris | 4-6 | shrub |
| Heath | Erica carnea | 4-7 | shrub |
| Haemanthus | Haemanthus albiflos | 9-11 | bulb |
| Haircap moss | Polytrichum commune | varies | moss |
| Hairy bittercress | Cardamine hirsuta | varies | annual |
| Hardy geranium | Geranium sanguineum | 3-8 | perennial |
| Hardy orange | Poncirus trifoliata | 5-9 | shrub |
| Huckleberry | Vaccinium membranaceum | 3-7 | shrub |
| Huon pine | Lagarostrobos franklinii | varies | tree |
Descriptions
Habanero
Very hot chili pepper native to the Americas. Grown as an annual in temperate gardens, prized for fiery fruit and salsa; needs warm, sunny conditions and well‑drained soil.
Hackberry
North American native street and wildlife tree with warty bark and edible drupes eaten by birds. Tolerant of poor soils and urban conditions.
Hakea
Australian shrub with showy pincushion flowers and needle foliage. Drought‑tolerant once established and valued in warm, well‑drained gardens.
Heliotrope
Fragrant, purple‑flowered bedding plant grown as a tender perennial or annual. Loves sun, rich soil and regular moisture; attracts pollinators.
Heliconia
Tropical, architectural plants with colorful hanging bracts (“lobster claws”). Require warmth, humidity and rich, moist soil; excellent tropical borders and cut flowers.
Hellebore
Early‑flowering woodland perennial (Lenten rose) with nodding winter/spring blooms. Prefers part shade, humus‑rich soil and is deer‑resistant; toxic if eaten.
Hemp
Versatile plant grown for fiber, seed and oil; legal status varies. Prefers full sun and fertile, well‑drained soil; annual in most climates.
Henbane
Poisonous, fragrant biennial herb historically used medicinally. Produces yellow blotched flowers; avoid ingestion and plant in controlled settings.
Hepatica
Early spring, woodland wildflower with delicate blue, pink or white blooms. Prefers shady, humusy soils and makes a good rockery or shade garden plant.
Heuchera
Evergreen perennial (coralbells) grown for colorful foliage and airy flower spikes. Tolerates part shade; good in borders and containers.
Hardy hibiscus
Large, showy mallow with tropical‑like flowers on herbaceous plants. Prefers full sun and moist soil; dies back in winter in cold zones.
Holly
Classic evergreen shrub with glossy spiny leaves and red berries; used for hedging and winter interest. Prefers acid, well‑drained soil and part shade to sun.
Hollyhock
Tall cottage‑garden biennial producing towering spires of large, colorful flowers. Likes full sun and rich soil; self‑seeds readily.
Holm oak
Evergreen oak (holm oak) native to the Mediterranean. Tolerant of drought and coastal conditions; makes a dense shade tree or screen.
Honeyberry
Cold‑hardy shrub producing blueberry‑like edible fruits early in season. Prefers full sun to part shade and well‑drained, slightly acidic soil.
Honeylocust
Open‑canopied tree with pinnate leaves and pod fruits. Used for shade or street trees; many thornless cultivars available.
Honeysuckle
Fragrant, vigorous vine producing tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees; can be invasive in some regions.
Hop
Perennial bine grown for cone‑like flowers used in brewing. Needs strong support, full sun and rich, moist soil; vigorous growth.
Hopbush
Evergreen shrub from warm regions with glossy foliage and papery seed capsules. Drought‑tolerant and good for coastal landscapes.
Hosta
Shade‑loving perennial prized for foliage texture and variety in leaf color; prefers moist, fertile soil and protection from hot afternoon sun.
Hyacinth
Spring‑flowering bulb with dense, scented flower spikes in many colors. Plant in autumn for spring blooms in full sun to part shade.
Hydrangea
Popular flowering shrub with mophead or lacecap blooms; bloom color can vary with soil pH. Prefers moist, humusy soil and partial shade.
Hyssop
Aromatic Mediterranean herb used in flavoring and borders. Likes full sun, sharp soil and good drainage; attracts pollinators.
Hoya
Also called wax plant; succulent vine with clusters of waxy, fragrant flowers. Grows well as a pot plant indoors with bright, indirect light.
Horse chestnut
Large deciduous tree with dramatic showy flower spikes and large palmate leaves. Prefers moist, deep soils and is common in parks.
Horsetail
Ancient, reed‑like, fern‑ally that spreads by rhizomes and spores; tolerant of wet soils and often invasive in gardens.
Horseradish
Pungent edible root grown for a spicy condiment. Prefers full sun and fertile, moist soil; vigorous and easily propagated by root cuttings.
Hogweed
Very large, invasive umbellifer; sap can cause severe skin burns in sunlight. Typically removed where present; avoid contact.
Hoptree
Small native tree (hoptree) with aromatic foliage and pea‑like fruit; tolerates varied soils and dry sites, useful for wildlife gardens.
Horseweed
Common weedy annual found in disturbed ground; small composite flowers and prolific seed production. Tolerant of poor soils.
Hoary cress
Invasive perennial brassica with whitish hoary foliage and clusters of white flowers. Spreads by deep roots; difficult to eradicate.
Himalayan birch
Striking birch with white peeling bark, native to high elevations in the Himalaya. Prefers cool climates, well‑drained, acidic soils.
Heavenly bamboo
Architectural evergreen shrub with lacy foliage, red berries and winter color. Tolerates sun to part shade; berries can be toxic to birds.
Hyacinth bean
Tender ornamental vine with purple pods and pea‑like flowers; grown as an annual in cool climates, perennial in frost‑free areas.
Heather
Low, evergreen heath with profuse late‑summer flowers in pink, purple or white. Prefers acidic, well‑drained soils and full sun.
Heath
Winter‑flowering heath with masses of bell‑shaped blooms; good for rock gardens and acid soils; evergreen and low‑growing.
Haemanthus
Also called “paintbrush lily” or blood lily; produces bold flower clusters and fleshy leaves. Prefers warm, frost‑free conditions and well‑drained soil.
Haircap moss
Dense, upright moss common in acidic, damp soils and open woods. Forms attractive green carpets and tolerates poor soils.
Hairy bittercress
Small, common lawn and garden weed with delicate white flowers; seeds fling when disturbed. Prefers moist, shady spots.
Hardy geranium
Tough, long‑flowering cranesbill with mounding habit and colorful blooms. Great for borders and rock gardens; easy to grow.
Hardy orange
Cold‑hardy, thorny citrus relative with fragrant flowers and very sour, pithy fruit. Used as a rootstock and as an ornamental barrier.
Huckleberry
Berry‑producing woodland shrub of western North America; prized for flavorful fruit. Prefers acidic, well‑drained soils and partial sun.
Huon pine
Slow‑growing, long‑lived Tasmanian conifer valued for aromatic timber. Prefers cool, moist conditions and acidic soils; grown by collectors.