This list includes 29 Plants that start with I, from “Ice plant” to “Ixora”. They are mostly ornamentals, succulents, and tropical shrubs commonly used for groundcover, hedges, and houseplants.
Plants that start with I are a diverse group of species whose common names begin with the letter I. Notable examples include Ice plant, a succulent groundcover, and Ixora, a tropical flowering shrub used in ornamental hedges.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA zones and Type.
Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly identify plants and match them to garden labels or nursery tags.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise species identity so you can research care, provenance, and reliable plant images.
USDA zones: The hardiness range shows where each plant reliably survives winter, helping you pick suitable garden choices.
Type: A concise label (tree, shrub, perennial, succulent, vine) lets you plan placement, maintenance, and companion planting.
Plants that start with I
| Common name | Scientific name | Type | USDA zones | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice plant | Delosperma cooperi | succulent | 5-9 | Low mat-forming succulent with bright daisy-like flowers, drought-tolerant groundcover for sunny, well-drained spots. |
| Iceland poppy | Papaver nudicaule | perennial | 2-7 | Clumping poppy with papery, colorful blooms; loved for cool-season color and cut flowers in rock or cottage gardens. |
| Ivy | Hedera helix | vine | 4-9 | Evergreen climbing vine with glossy, lobed leaves; used on walls and as groundcover but can be invasive if unmanaged. |
| Iris | Iris spp. | perennial | varies | Diverse group of rhizomes and bulbs with striking, bearded or beardless flowers; staples for borders and cut blooms. |
| Impatiens | Impatiens walleriana | annual | 10-11 | Shade-loving bedding plant with bright, single or double flowers; needs regular moisture and protection from frost. |
| Indian hawthorn | Rhaphiolepis indica | shrub | 7-10 | Compact evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers; good for low hedges and foundations. |
| Indian paintbrush | Castilleja spp. | perennial | 3-8 | Showy wildflowers with red, orange or yellow bracts; often hemiparasitic natives that brighten meadows and prairie plantings. |
| Indian fig | Opuntia ficus-indica | succulent | 9-11 | Edible prickly pear cactus with paddle-like pads and sweet fruit; excellent for xeriscapes and edible dry gardens. |
| Inkberry | Ilex glabra | shrub | 5-9 | Evergreen holly with glossy leaves and dark berries; valued for low-maintenance hedging and winter interest. |
| Irish moss | Sagina subulata | perennial | 4-8 | Dense evergreen mat with tiny white flowers; makes a soft, low groundcover for between pavers and rock gardens. |
| Indian bean tree | Catalpa bignonioides | tree | 4-8 | Deciduous tree with large heart-shaped leaves and fragrant white flowers, followed by long pods; used as a specimen or street tree. |
| Italian cypress | Cupressus sempervirens | tree | 7-10 | Tall, narrow evergreen used in formal, Mediterranean-style plantings; drought-tolerant once established. |
| Italian arum | Arum italicum | perennial | 5-9 | Shade-loving perennial with arrow-shaped variegated leaves and hooded flowers; grown for dramatic foliage effect. |
| Indigo | Indigofera tinctoria | shrub | n/a | Leguminous shrub traditionally grown for blue dye; pinnate leaves and pea-like flowers, prefers warm climates. |
| Indian plum | Oemleria cerasiformis | shrub | 6-9 | Early-flowering native shrub/tree with fragrant white blooms and small edible drupes; great for wildlife gardens. |
| Ironweed | Vernonia noveboracensis | perennial | 3-9 | Tall perennial with vivid clusters of purple flowers in late summer, excellent for pollinators and prairie-style borders. |
| Ixora | Ixora coccinea | shrub | 9-11 | Tropical evergreen shrub with dense clusters of small, tubular flowers in red, orange or pink; popular in containers and hedges. |
| Ivy geranium | Pelargonium peltatum | perennial | 9-11 | Trailing geranium with glossy leaves and cascading flower clusters, ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes in warm climates. |
| Isotoma | Isotoma fluviatilis | perennial | 5-8 | Low-spreading perennial with starry blue flowers; makes a tidy lawn substitute or fills gaps between pavers. |
| Indian mustard | Brassica juncea | annual | varies | Fast-growing leafy vegetable and seed crop used for mustard greens, spice and cover cropping; adaptable to many climates. |
| Indian blanket | Gaillardia pulchella | annual | 3-9 | Bright red-and-yellow daisy-like flowers that tolerate heat and drought; great for wildflower mixes and sunny borders. |
| Indian sandalwood | Santalum album | tree | n/a | Fragrant evergreen valued for aromatic heartwood used in perfumery and carving; slow-growing and semi-parasitic in tropical areas. |
| Ivy-leaved toadflax | Cymbalaria muralis | perennial | 5-9 | Creeping plant with small purple snapdragon-like flowers; excellent for walls, crevices and rock gardens. |
| Incarvillea | Incarvillea spp. | perennial | 5-8 | Herbaceous perennials with trumpet-shaped, gloxinia-like flowers; prefer well-drained soil and sunny to part-shade sites. |
| Isopogon | Isopogon spp. | shrub | n/a | Australian native shrubs with distinctive cone-like flower heads and attractive foliage, used in native and drought-tolerant gardens. |
| Ipomoea | Ipomoea purpurea | vine | 9-11 | Fast-growing twining vine with large funnel-shaped morning-glory flowers; often grown as an annual for quick summer color. |
| Indian pipe | Monotropa uniflora | herb | 3-8 | Ghostly white, non-photosynthetic forest herb that feeds via fungal partners; striking in shaded, undisturbed woodlands. |
| Idesia | Idesia polycarpa | tree | 6-9 | Small ornamental tree with glossy leaves and clusters of showy red fruit; adds late-season interest to landscapes. |
| Illicium | Illicium verum | shrub | 8-11 | Aromatic evergreen shrub/tree (star anise) with glossy leaves and star-shaped seedpods used as a spice and ornamental for shade gardens. |
Descriptions
Ice plant
Iceland poppy
Ivy
Iris
Impatiens
Indian hawthorn
Indian paintbrush
Indian fig
Inkberry
Irish moss
Indian bean tree
Italian cypress
Italian arum
Indigo
Indian plum
Ironweed
Ixora
Ivy geranium
Isotoma
Indian mustard
Indian blanket
Indian sandalwood
Ivy-leaved toadflax
Incarvillea
Isopogon
Ipomoea
Indian pipe
Idesia
Illicium