This list includes 18 Plants that start with U that start with U, from “Ube” to “Uva-ursi”. They include edible tubers, ornamental flowers, and hardy groundcovers useful in gardens, landscaping, and restoration.

Plants that start with U are common and cultivated species whose English names begin with U. Notable examples include ube, a purple yam central to Filipino desserts, and uva-ursi, used historically in herbal medicine.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA zones and Type.

Common name: The everyday name you use to find a plant quickly, compare lists, and match garden labels.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives the exact species identification, so you avoid confusion between similar common names.

USDA zones: A simple hardiness range showing where a plant survives winter temperatures, helping you choose suitable species.

Type: A short label (tree, shrub, perennial, annual, succulent, grass, fern, vine) that shows growth habit and garden role.

Sourcing note: Scientific names and hardiness ranges follow authoritative plant databases, and links to species pages appear in the table.

Plants that start with U

Common nameScientific nameUSDA hardiness zonesType
UbeDioscorea alata9–11vine
UllucoUllucus tuberosusunknownperennial
Uva-ursiArctostaphylos uva-ursi2–6shrub
Umbrella treeSchefflera actinophylla10–12tree
Umbrella papyrusCyperus alternifolius8–11perennial
Umbrella magnoliaMagnolia tripetala5–9tree
Urn plantAechmea fasciata10–11perennial
Usambara violetSaintpaulia ionanthaunknownperennial
Utah juniperJuniperus osteosperma4–9tree
Utah serviceberryAmelanchier utahensis3–7shrub
Utah agaveAgave utahensis7–9succulent
Utah fescueFestuca utahensis3–7grass
Utah penstemonPenstemon utahensis4–8perennial
Upland cottonGossypium hirsutum8–11perennial
Upland cressBarbarea verna4–9perennial
Unicorn plantProboscidea louisianica7–11annual
UgniUgni molinae8–10shrub
UdoAralia cordata5–8perennial

Descriptions

Ube
Purple yam grown for starchy edible tubers, popular in Southeast Asian desserts; tropical vine needing frost-free conditions and rich, moist soil.
Ulluco
Andean tuber crop with colorful, waxy tubers; grown in cool, high-altitude tropics and valued for culinary uses and storage.
Uva-ursi
Low evergreen groundcover with leathery leaves and red berries; drought-tolerant, excellent for rock gardens and erosion control.
Umbrella tree
Tropical tree often grown as a houseplant with radiating compound leaves; can become large outdoors and tolerates low indoor light.
Umbrella papyrus
Marsh-loving sedge with whorled, umbrella-like leaf clusters atop hollow stems; ideal for ponds, bogs, and wet borders.
Umbrella magnolia
Small tree with very large, umbrella-like leaves and fragrant white flowers; dramatic specimen for shaded or woodland gardens.
Urn plant
Striking bromeliad with silver-banded leaves and long-lasting pink bracts; grown indoors for bright, humid spots.
Usambara violet
Compact houseplant (African violet) prized for rosettes of fuzzy leaves and plentiful violet-like flowers; likes bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
Utah juniper
Drought-tolerant evergreen native to the U.S. Intermountain West; used in xeriscapes and for wildlife shelter.
Utah serviceberry
Native shrub with spring white blossoms and edible orange-red berries; wildlife-friendly and good for naturalized plantings.
Utah agave
Compact, spiny agave from the Intermountain region; sun-loving and drought-tolerant, suitable for rock gardens and xeric landscapes.
Utah fescue
Clumping native grass for dry slopes and meadows; useful for erosion control and native prairie restorations.
Utah penstemon
Showy native with tubular flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds; prefers well-drained soils and full sun.
Upland cotton
Primary cotton species grown worldwide for fiber; warm-season plant often cultivated as an annual in temperate regions.
Upland cress
Peppery leafy green used in salads and sandwiches; cool-season plant that tolerates partial shade and poor soils.
Unicorn plant
Tender annual with showy tubular flowers and distinctive long seedpods used in folk crafts; thrives in hot, dry summers.
Ugni
Evergreen shrub (Chilean guava) producing aromatic white flowers and sweet edible berries; grown for fruit and ornamental value.
Udo
East Asian perennial grown for large edible shoots and bold foliage; prefers moist, fertile soil and partial shade.
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