This list includes 29 Plants that start with V, from “Valerian” to “Voodoo lily”. They include herbs, ornamentals, shrubs and unusual vines used in gardens, medicine and habitat planting.

Plants that start with V are a diverse group ranging from fragrant herbs to dramatic tropical aroids. For example, Valerian has long medicinal use while the Voodoo lily is known for its striking, foul‑scented inflorescence.

Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, USDA hardiness zones, and plant type.

Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly identify plants and matches what gardeners commonly search for.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise species identification and helps you find detailed botanical information.

USDA hardiness zones: This range shows winter survival limits so you can judge whether a plant suits your climate.

Type: A short label (tree, shrub, perennial, annual, succulent, vine, or grass) helps plan placement and care.

Notes & links: Short notes highlight uses or cautions and links take you to full species pages for more detail.

Plants that start with V

Common nameScientific nameTypeUSDA zones
VioletViola sororiaperennial3–8
VervainVerbena officinalisperennial4–8
VerbenaVerbena bonariensisperennial7–10
VincaVinca minorperennial4–9
VanillaVanilla planifoliavine10–12
VelvetleafAbutilon theophrastiannual4–9
Velvet beanMucuna pruriensvine9–11
Venus flytrapDionaea muscipulaperennial7–10
VetchVicia sativaannual3–9
ViburnumViburnum opulusshrub2–8
Vine mapleAcer circinatumtree6–8
Victoria water-lilyVictoria amazonicaperennialunknown
Virginia creeperParthenocissus quinquefoliavine3–9
Virginia bluebellMertensia virginicaperennial3–8
Virginia sweetspireItea virginicashrub5–9
ValerianValeriana officinalisperennial4–8
Valley oakQuercus lobatatree7–10
Velvet mesquiteProsopis velutinatree8–11
VeronicaVeronica spicataperennial3–8
Varnish treeToxicodendron vernicifluumtree7–10
Viper’s buglossEchium vulgareperennial3–8
Velvet grassHolcus lanatusgrass4–9
Voodoo lilySauromatum venosumperennial6–9
Virginia roseRosa virginianashrub3–8
Virgin’s bowerClematis virginianavine3–8
Violet wood-sorrelOxalis violaceaperennial5–9
VandaVanda coeruleaperennialunknown
VitexVitex agnus-castusshrub6–9
VallisneriaVallisneria americanaperennialunknown

Descriptions

Violet
Low-growing wildflower with heart-shaped leaves and purple blooms; common in lawns and shady gardens across North America.
Vervain
Delicate spikes of lavender flowers used medicinally and ornamentally; tolerant of poor soils and loved by pollinators.
Verbena
Tall, airy garden verbena with clusters of purple flowers; attracts butterflies and creates a loose, cottage-garden look.
Vinca
Evergreen groundcover with glossy leaves and violet-blue flowers; good for shade, erosion control and low-maintenance areas.
Vanilla
Tropical orchid vine grown for fragrant vanilla pods; needs warm, humid conditions and hand pollination outside its native range.
Velvetleaf
Common agricultural weed with heart-shaped, velvety leaves and yellow-orange flowers; hardy annual often found in disturbed soils.
Velvet bean
Tropical climbing legume used as cover crop and green manure; fuzzy pods and vigorous twining habit.
Venus flytrap
Iconic carnivorous bog plant with snap-trap leaves that capture insects; needs acidic, wet soil and winter dormancy.
Vetch
Pea-family forage and cover crop with compound leaves and pea-like flowers; fixes nitrogen and improves soil.
Viburnum
Ornamental shrub with flat clusters of white flowers and bright red berries that feed birds; good hedge or specimen plant.
Vine maple
Small multi-stemmed maple from the Pacific Northwest with rounded leaves and striking fall color; ideal in shady gardens.
Victoria water-lily
Giant Amazonian water-lily with enormous floating leaves and showy night-opening flowers; dramatic specimen for botanical ponds.
Virginia creeper
Fast-growing climber with five-part leaves and brilliant red fall color; clings to walls and trees with adhesive pads.
Virginia bluebell
Spring woodland wildflower with nodding clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers; prefers moist, shady soils.
Virginia sweetspire
Native shrub with fragrant white flower spikes in summer and attractive fall color; adapts to moist soils and borders.
Valerian
Clumping herb with fragrant clusters of pinkish-white flowers; historically used as a calming herbal remedy.
Valley oak
Large native California oak with deeply lobed leaves; ecologically important for wildlife and iconic in valley landscapes.
Velvet mesquite
Drought-tolerant southwestern tree with feathery foliage and sweet, edible pods; useful in xeriscapes.
Veronica
Also called speedwell; spiky blue or pink flower clusters that are excellent for borders and pollinator gardens.
Varnish tree
Asian tree used traditionally for lacquer; produces clusters of small flowers and sap that can irritate skin.
Viper’s bugloss
Bristly plant with striking cobalt-blue flowers that attract bees; thrives in dry, sunny sites.
Velvet grass
Soft-textured grass with silvery, woolly seedheads; common in meadows and as a turf weed.
Voodoo lily
Oddball bulb with a maroon, hooded spathe that smells of carrion; grown for dramatic, exotic flowers.
Virginia rose
Native wild rose with small pink blooms and bright red hips loved by birds; good for naturalized hedges.
Virgin’s bower
Climbing clematis with fragrant white summer flowers and fluffy seedheads; vigorous and good for trellises.
Violet wood-sorrel
Low, clover-like plant with mauve flowers; spring-blooming native that forms neat colonies in lawns and meadows.
Vanda
Showy tropical orchid prized for large blue flowers; usually grown indoors or in warm, humid greenhouse conditions.
Vitex
Mediterranean-looking shrub with fragrant spikes of lavender flowers; attracts bees and tolerates heat and drought.
Vallisneria
Submerged aquatic plant (eelgrass) with ribbon-like leaves; popular in ponds and aquariums for oxygenation and habitat.
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