Here you’ll find 55 Plants that start with R that begin with R, organized from “Coast redwood” to “Russian sage”. They range from towering trees to low-growing herbs, and many are popular in gardens worldwide.
[Plants that start with R] are species whose common English names begin with the letter R, spanning many growth forms. Notable examples include the Coast redwood, one of the tallest trees on Earth.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA zones and Type.
Common name: The name commonly used in English for the plant so you can quickly identify species in gardens and markets.
Scientific name: The formal Latin binomial helps you locate exact species pages and avoid confusion with similar common names.
USDA zones: The listed hardiness range shows cold tolerance so you can assess if a plant suits your climate region.
Type: A concise label (tree, shrub, perennial, annual, succulent, grass, vine) that guides planting and landscape use.
Sourcing: Species names and zone ranges follow major botanical databases and regional plant guides, with links to each species page.
Plants that start with R
| Common name | Scientific name | USDA hardiness zones | Plant type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ragwort | Jacobaea vulgaris | 4-10 | perennial |
| Ragweed | Ambrosia artemisiifolia | 3-9 | annual |
| Rain lily | Zephyranthes candida | 7-10 | bulb |
| Raspberry | Rubus idaeus | 3-8 | shrub |
| Redbud | Cercis canadensis | 4-9 | tree |
| Red maple | Acer rubrum | 3-9 | tree |
| Red oak | Quercus rubra | 3-8 | tree |
| Red clover | Trifolium pratense | 3-8 | perennial |
| Redcurrant | Ribes rubrum | 3-7 | shrub |
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron ponticum | 6-9 | shrub |
| Rhubarb | Rheum × hybridum | 3-8 | perennial |
| Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus | 8-10 | shrub |
| Rubber tree | Ficus elastica | tropical | tree |
| Rue | Ruta graveolens | 7-10 | herb |
| Rudbeckia | Rudbeckia hirta | 3-9 | perennial |
| Russian sage | Salvia yangii | 4-9 | shrub |
| Red hot poker | Kniphofia uvaria | 5-9 | perennial |
| Red valerian | Centranthus ruber | 5-9 | perennial |
| Rockrose | Cistus ladanifer | 7-10 | shrub |
| Red osier dogwood | Cornus sericea | 2-7 | shrub |
| Red spruce | Picea rubens | 3-7 | tree |
| Red cedar | Juniperus virginiana | 2-9 | tree |
| Rattlesnake plant | Goeppertia lancifolia | tropical | perennial |
| Ranunculus | Ranunculus asiaticus | 8-10 | bulb |
| Red cabbage | Brassica oleracea | N/A | annual |
| Rice | Oryza sativa | tropical | grass |
| Royal fern | Osmunda regalis | 4-9 | fern |
| Red ginger | Alpinia purpurata | tropical | perennial |
| Rose of Sharon | Hibiscus syriacus | 5-9 | shrub |
| Rose campion | Silene coronaria | 3-7 | perennial |
| Royal poinciana | Delonix regia | tropical | tree |
| Coast redwood | Sequoia sempervirens | 7-9 | tree |
| Resurrection plant | Selaginella lepidophylla | N/A | fern |
| Rosebay willowherb | Chamerion angustifolium | 2-7 | perennial |
| Rose apple | Syzygium jambos | tropical | tree |
| Rock cress | Aubrieta deltoidea | 4-8 | perennial |
| Riberry | Syzygium luehmannii | tropical | tree |
| Roman chamomile | Chamaemelum nobile | 4-9 | perennial |
| Rubber vine | Cryptostegia grandiflora | tropical | vine |
| Romanesco | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis | N/A | annual |
| Rain tree | Samanea saman | tropical | tree |
| Red elderberry | Sambucus racemosa | 3-7 | shrub |
| Red flowering currant | Ribes sanguineum | 5-8 | shrub |
| Rafflesia | Rafflesia arnoldii | tropical | parasitic |
| Redroot pigweed | Amaranthus retroflexus | 3-9 | annual |
| Red spider lily | Lycoris radiata | 6-10 | bulb |
| Rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | 3-7 | tree |
| Rockrose (Helianthemum) | Helianthemum nummularium | 4-8 | shrub |
| Romaine lettuce | Lactuca sativa var. longifolia | N/A | annual |
| Rock samphire | Crithmum maritimum | 6-10 | perennial |
| Red mulberry | Morus rubra | 5-9 | tree |
| Red yucca | Hesperaloe parviflora | 5-10 | perennial |
| Red flowering gum | Corymbia ficifolia | 9-11 | tree |
| Rose mallow | Hibiscus moscheutos | 5-9 | perennial |
| Red campion | Silene dioica | 4-8 | perennial |
Descriptions
Ragwort
Yellow daisy-like wildflower common in meadows; a resilient Eurasian species known for toxic alkaloids that can harm livestock.
Ragweed
Widespread allergenic weed with greenish flower spikes; thrives in disturbed soils and open sunny sites.
Rain lily
Small bulbous plant that blooms after rain with white crocus-like flowers; great in containers, borders or naturalized beds in warm climates.
Raspberry
Edible bramble producing sweet red berries; prefers sun, rich soil and regular pruning for best fruiting.
Redbud
Small ornamental tree with early pink pea-like flowers on bare branches; excellent for spring color and understory planting.
Red maple
Adaptable, fast-growing native tree prized for bright red fall foliage and tolerance of wet soils.
Red oak
Large shade tree with lobed leaves and strong timber; tolerant of varied soils and valued in landscapes.
Red clover
Nitrogen-fixing forage and cover crop with pink flower heads; useful in meadows and soil improvement.
Redcurrant
Small shrub bearing tart translucent red berries ideal for jams; prefers cool summers and partial sun.
Rhododendron
Showy evergreen or deciduous shrubs with clusters of large flowers; prefer acidic, humusy soil and sheltered, partly shaded sites.
Rhubarb
Large-leaved perennial grown for tart edible stalks; likes cool climates and rich, moist soil; leaves are toxic.
Rosemary
Aromatic Mediterranean herb with needle-like leaves; drought-tolerant and useful for hedging, containers and culinary use.
Rubber tree
Popular indoor tree with large glossy leaves; tolerant of lower light and grown primarily for foliage interest.
Rue
Gray-green, strongly scented perennial herb; historically medicinal and ornamental but can cause skin sensitivity.
Rudbeckia
Cheerful daisy-like flowers (black-eyed Susans) for sunny borders; low-maintenance and attractive to pollinators.
Russian sage
Silvery foliage and spires of lavender-blue flowers; drought-tolerant and excellent for sunny, xeric borders.
Red hot poker
Striking spikes of tubular, warm-toned flowers that attract hummingbirds and provide vertical interest.
Red valerian
Clusters of pink to red flowers on a hardy, drought-tolerant plant; thrives on walls and poor soils.
Rockrose
Mediterranean evergreen with papery flowers; very drought-tolerant and suitable for coastal or dry gardens.
Red osier dogwood
Deciduous shrub with vivid red winter stems, white summer flowers and blue berries attractive to wildlife; tolerates wet soils.
Red spruce
Cool-climate conifer with dense foliage; used in reforestation and as a Christmas tree in suitable regions.
Red cedar
Hardy conifer with aromatic wood; used as windbreaks, hedging and habitat for birds.
Rattlesnake plant
Tropical houseplant with long, patterned leaves; prefers bright, indirect light and humidity.
Ranunculus
Tuberous spring-blooming bulbs with showy rosette flowers; commonly grown for colorful cut blooms.
Red cabbage
Cool-season vegetable with purple-red heads used fresh, cooked or fermented; best grown in spring or fall.
Rice
Staple cereal of warm regions; paddy-grown varieties require abundant water and warm temperatures.
Royal fern
Large, architectural fern of damp woodlands and bogs; excellent for shady, moist borders and naturalized areas.
Red ginger
Tropical perennial with bold red bracts; grown for dramatic foliage and cut flowers in warm climates or containers.
Rose of Sharon
Deciduous hibiscus with summer blooms; tolerates heat and urban conditions, good for late-season color.
Rose campion
Silver foliage with magenta flowers in early summer; low-maintenance and drought-tolerant for cottage gardens.
Royal poinciana
Spectacular tropical shade tree with ferny leaves and flamboyant red-orange flowers; best in frost-free climates.
Coast redwood
Towering evergreen of coastal fog belts; prized for height, evergreen foliage and preference for moist, mild climates.
Resurrection plant
Desert “resurrection” plant that curls dry and revives with water; an intriguing novelty for xeric displays and terraria.
Rosebay willowherb
Tall perennial with pink spires that readily colonize disturbed ground; excellent nectar source for pollinators.
Rose apple
Tropical fruit tree with fragrant apple-like fruit; grown in frost-free climates and large containers.
Rock cress
Low-spreading alpine perennial producing carpets of purple flowers; ideal for rockeries and edging.
Riberry
Australian rainforest tree with tart edible red berries used in sauces and jellies; suited to subtropical gardens.
Roman chamomile
Low aromatic groundcover used for tea, lawn substitute and edging; prefers sun and well-drained soil.
Rubber vine
Vigorous tropical vine with glossy leaves and showy flowers; ornamental in frost-free areas but invasive in some regions.
Romanesco
Visually striking fractal vegetable (a cauliflower type) grown as a cool-season crop for fresh eating.
Rain tree
Fast-growing tropical shade tree with umbrella canopy and feathery foliage; popular in parks and large landscapes.
Red elderberry
Shrub with clusters of red berries favored by wildlife; berries should be cooked before eating.
Red flowering currant
Early spring shrub with red flower clusters that attract hummingbirds; prefers well-drained soils.
Rafflesia
Rare rainforest parasite famous for enormous, foul-smelling flowers; not cultivated in typical gardens.
Redroot pigweed
Weedy annual with nutritious young leaves and seeds; often invasive but edible and protein-rich.
Red spider lily
Late-summer bulb with umbrella-like clusters of bright red flowers; commonly used near borders and walkways.
Rowan
Also called mountain ash; ornamental small tree with white spring flowers and bright orange-red berries for birds.
Rockrose (Helianthemum)
Low-growing, heat-loving shrub with bright papery flowers; perfect for sunny, dry rock gardens.
Romaine lettuce
Crisp-leaved lettuce variety for salads; a cool-season crop best in spring or fall plantings.
Rock samphire
Coastal succulent-like perennial with aromatic, salty-tasting leaves; tolerant of sea spray and rocky shores.
Red mulberry
Native fruit tree producing sweet mulberries; supports wildlife and grows in a wide range of soils.
Red yucca
Not a true yucca; narrow gray leaves and long coral blooms that attract hummingbirds; excellent drought-tolerant accent.
Red flowering gum
Australian gum tree with profuse red flowers that attract birds; a striking specimen in warm climates.
Rose mallow
Swamp hibiscus with very large summer flowers; ideal for pond margins and moist garden borders.
Red campion
Woodland-edge wildflower with pink blossoms; tolerant of partial shade and naturalistic plantings.