This list includes 38 Plants that start with N, from “Nandina” to “Nutmeg hickory”. They include trees, shrubs, perennials, and herbs used for ornament, food and habitat.
Plants that start with N are common-name groupings whose names begin with the letter N. For example, Nandina domestica is a widely planted ornamental with a long history in East Asian gardens.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA zones, Type, Notes/Uses and Species page.
Common name: The familiar name you see on labels and seed packets, helpful when searching garden centers or local guides.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial that uniquely identifies the species, so you can match it to authoritative plant records.
USDA zones: The hardiness range shows where the plant reliably survives winter, helping you choose suitable species for your area.
Type: A short label (tree, shrub, perennial, annual, succulent, grass, fern, vine) describing growth habit for planning and placement.
Notes/Uses: Brief details on edible value, ornamental traits, or ecological roles to help you decide practical uses.
Species page: A direct link to detailed care, distribution and images so you can quickly access in-depth information.
Plants that start with N
| Common Name | Scientific Name | USDA Hardiness Zones | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nandina | Nandina domestica | 6–9 | shrub |
| Narcissus | Narcissus pseudonarcissus | 3–8 | bulb |
| Nasturtium | Tropaeolum majus | 9–11 | annual |
| Neem | Azadirachta indica | 9–11 | tree |
| Nerine | Nerine bowdenii | 7–10 | bulb |
| Nepeta | Nepeta cataria | 3–8 | perennial |
| Nicotiana | Nicotiana alata | 9–11 | annual |
| Night-blooming jasmine | Cestrum nocturnum | 8–11 | shrub |
| Norfolk Island pine | Araucaria heterophylla | 9–11 | tree |
| New Zealand flax | Phormium tenax | 7–11 | perennial |
| New Guinea impatiens | Impatiens hawkeri | 10–11 | annual |
| Natal plum | Carissa macrocarpa | 9–11 | shrub |
| Norway maple | Acer platanoides | 3–7 | tree |
| Nodding onion | Allium cernuum | 3–8 | bulb |
| Nutmeg | Myristica fragrans | 10–12 | tree |
| Nanking cherry | Prunus tomentosa | 2–7 | shrub |
| Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | 2–8 | shrub |
| Northern catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | 4–8 | tree |
| New England aster | Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | 3–8 | perennial |
| New Jersey tea | Ceanothus americanus | 3–8 | shrub |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | 2–7 | shrub |
| Northern sea oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | 4–9 | grass |
| Nettle | Urtica dioica | 3–9 | herb |
| Night-blooming cereus | Epiphyllum oxypetalum | 10–11 | succulent |
| Needle palm | Rhapidophyllum hystrix | 6–10 | tree |
| Nodding trillium | Trillium cernuum | 3–7 | perennial |
| Northern white-cedar | Thuja occidentalis | 2–7 | tree |
| Narrowleaf cattail | Typha angustifolia | 3–10 | perennial |
| New Zealand fuchsia | Fuchsia excorticata | 8–10 | shrub |
| Night-scented stock | Matthiola longipetala | 6–10 | annual |
| New Zealand Christmas tree | Metrosideros excelsa | 9–11 | tree |
| Northern red oak | Quercus rubra | 3–8 | tree |
| New York aster | Symphyotrichum novi-belgii | 3–8 | perennial |
| Northern bayberry | Morella pensylvanica | 2–7 | shrub |
| Nopal | Opuntia ficus-indica | 8–11 | succulent |
| Northern maidenhair fern | Adiantum pedatum | 3–7 | fern |
| Nutmeg hickory | Carya myristiciformis | 6–9 | tree |
| Nutgrass | Cyperus rotundus | 8–11 | perennial |
Descriptions
Nandina
Evergreen shrub with feathery leaves and red winter berries; native to East Asia and widely used for low-maintenance borders and containers.
Narcissus
Classic yellow daffodil; trumpet-shaped blooms in spring, native to Europe. Great for naturalizing lawns and early-season color.
Nasturtium
Trailing or bushy annual with round leaves and bright edible flowers; easy to grow in poor soils and great for salads and companion planting.
Neem
Fast-growing tropical tree known for insect-repellent oil (azadirachtin); pinnate leaves and fragrant white flowers — widely planted in warm regions.
Nerine
Autumn-flowering bulb with clusters of pink, lily-like blooms; South African native prized for late-season color in containers and borders.
Nepeta
Also called catnip; aromatic gray-green foliage and lavender flowers attract pollinators and felines. Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant herb for borders.
Nicotiana
Fragrant night-blooming tubular flowers in summer; often grown for scent and evening interest. Tender, grown as annual in cool climates.
Night-blooming jasmine
Fragrant, night-scented clusters of tubular flowers on a subtropical shrub; blooms attract moths and perfume warm summer evenings.
Norfolk Island pine
Symmetrical, soft-needled evergreen often grown as an indoor houseplant in cooler climates and an ornamental street tree where frost-free.
New Zealand flax
Architectural, swordlike leaves and tall flower spikes; tolerant of coastal conditions and used for bold foliage accents in landscapes.
New Guinea impatiens
Vibrant bedding plant with large flowers and glossy leaves; prefers shade to part shade and consistent moisture for best flowering.
Natal plum
Glossy-leaved evergreen with fragrant white flowers and edible red fruits; useful as a hedging plant in warm coastal gardens.
Norway maple
Fast-growing landscape maple with broad leaves and purple samaras; widely planted as a shade tree in temperate zones.
Nodding onion
Clump-forming ornamental onion with pendulous pink or white flowers; native to North America, good in rock gardens and pollinator beds.
Nutmeg
Tropical evergreen tree producing aromatic seeds (nutmeg) and mace; needs frost-free, humid conditions and is grown commercially in tropics.
Nanking cherry
Compact, spring-flowering shrub with fragrant white blossoms and tart red fruits; hardy, used in hedges and jams.
Ninebark
Tough shrub with peeling bark, lobed leaves and clusters of white to pink flowers; adaptable to poor soils and popular in mixed borders.
Northern catalpa
Large tree with heart-shaped leaves, showy white orchid-like flowers and long seed pods; often planted for quick shade.
New England aster
Fall-blooming native with purple daisy-like flowers that attract late-season pollinators; great for perennial borders and meadows.
New Jersey tea
Native shrub with small white flower clusters historically used to brew tea; fixes nitrogen and supports wildlife.
Nannyberry
Large shrub/small tree with glossy leaves, white spring flowers and edible dark berries favored by birds; good for natural hedges.
Northern sea oats
Shade-tolerant ornamental grass with drooping, flattened seedheads; excellent for naturalistic plantings and erosion control.
Nettle
Perennial with serrated leaves and stinging hairs; a nutrient-rich wild edible and valuable native for pollinators and soil health.
Night-blooming cereus
Epiphytic cactus with large, fragrant white blooms that open at night; grown in warm climates or indoors for dramatic single-night flowers.
Needle palm
Compact, cold-hardy palm with needle-like spines and fan-shaped leaves; one of the hardiest palms for sheltered temperate gardens.
Nodding trillium
Spring woodland perennial with three-petaled white flowers that nod beneath leaves; great for shaded native plant gardens.
Northern white-cedar
Slow-growing evergreen with scale-like foliage; commonly used for hedges, windbreaks and wildlife cover in northern landscapes.
Narrowleaf cattail
Tall wetland plant with slender leaves and brown sausage-like seed spikes; useful for pond margins but can be invasive.
New Zealand fuchsia
Tree fuchsia with peeling bark and hanging tubular red flowers; native to New Zealand and attractive to nectar-feeding birds.
Night-scented stock
Small, low-growing annual with intensely fragrant pale flowers at night; ideal for evening gardens and containers.
New Zealand Christmas tree
Showy evergreen with bright red brush-like flowers in summer; iconic coastal tree in New Zealand and ornamental in warm climates.
Northern red oak
Popular shade tree with lobed leaves and rounded canopy; produces acorns and supports diverse wildlife in temperate forests.
New York aster
Traditional fall aster with masses of purple or pink daisy flowers; excellent for pollinators and late-season color.
Northern bayberry
Fragrant, waxy-fruited shrub used for hedging and aromatic candles; salt- and drought-tolerant native of northeastern North America.
Nopal
Prickly pear cactus grown for edible pads (“nopales”) and fruits; heat-loving and drought-tolerant in warm climates.
Northern maidenhair fern
Delicate woodland fern with fan-shaped leaflets and dark stems; thrives in moist, shaded garden settings.
Nutmeg hickory
Southern hickory with nut-flavored kernels and rounded crown; valued for wildlife food and shade in warm temperate areas.
Nutgrass
Tropical sedge often considered a persistent weed with nut-like tubers; tolerant of heat and difficult to eradicate in gardens.