Flowers That Start With P: Beautiful Names, Meanings & Photos

Flowers that start with P include some of the most loved blooms on earth. Peony, petunia, pansy, poppy, and primrose are the names most people know. But the letter P also hides showy surprises, like the fiery gulmohar tree, a carnivorous pitcher plant, and a turquoise-flowered bromeliad. This guide gathers 83 of them in one place.

Every plant below is real and has a verified botanical name. You will find border favorites, annuals, houseplants, florist picks, trees, vines, and a few rarities. Only one entry is grown mainly for its leaves, and it is clearly marked as an exception.

A long list only helps if you can use it. So this guide sorts the plants by color, life cycle, and use. A bloom’s beauty means little if it dies in your climate. It means even less if it harms a child or a pet. Each table is explained in plain words first, so you never face a bare spreadsheet.

P is a big letter, and many names repeat the words peacock, prairie, purple, and pink. Those words are clues to color, shape, or habitat. Read straight through or jump to what you need. Have a pet? Check the toxicity section first. Want a quick pick? Try the decision table near the end.

Quick Answer: Ten Standout P Flowers

Peony is the queen of late spring, with huge perfumed blooms that return for decades. Petunia and pansy are the easy bedding stars, one for hot summers and the other for cool seasons. Garden phlox fills midsummer with scent, and purple coneflower feeds bees and finches for months.

Master Alphabetical List of Flowers That Start With P

This list names 83 flowers. Most entries use a common name that gardeners already know. A few are better known by their botanical name, so they appear under the name nurseries print on plant tags. Each row has a short note, so you can see at a glance what the plant looks like and where it grows best. One entry is marked as an exception because the flower is not the main reason people grow it.

Flower	Botanical Name	Note
Pagoda Flower	Clerodendrum paniculatum	Orange-red pagoda-shaped tiers
Painted Daisy	Tanacetum coccineum	Pink and red daisies, long vase life
Painted Tongue	Salpiglossis sinuata	Veined velvety trumpets
Painted Trillium	Trillium undulatum	White blooms with red-pink V marks
Pansy	Viola × wittrockiana	Cool-season faces in many colors
Pansy Orchid	Miltoniopsis hybrids	Flat, face-like orchid blooms
Paper Flower	Psilostrophe cooperi	Yellow papery desert blooms
Paperwhite	Narcissus papyraceus	Fragrant white winter bulb
Paphiopedilum	Paphiopedilum spp.	Pouch-shaped lady slipper orchid
Parrot Tulip	Tulipa ‘Parrot’	Ruffled, feathered tulip petals
Parrot’s Beak	Lotus berthelotii	Red-orange beak-shaped blooms on silver trails
Pasqueflower	Pulsatilla vulgaris	Purple furry spring cups, toxic
Passionflower	Passiflora caerulea	Intricate blue-and-white vine blooms
Peace Lily	Spathiphyllum wallisii	White spathes for shady rooms
Peach Blossom	Prunus persica	Pink spring blossom on bare branches
Peacock Flower	Caesalpinia pulcherrima	Red and yellow flowers with long stamens
Peacock Orchid	Gladiolus murielae	White fragrant blooms with a dark center
Pearl Bush	Exochorda racemosa	Pearl-like buds open into white sprays
Pearly Everlasting	Anaphalis margaritacea	Papery white clusters, silvery leaves
Pelargonium	Pelargonium × hortorum	Round clusters in red, pink, or white
Pelican Flower	Aristolochia grandiflora	Giant, odd-smelling pelican-shaped bloom
Penstemon	Penstemon spp.	Tubular spikes, hummingbird favorite
Pentas	Pentas lanceolata	Star clusters, butterfly magnet
Peony	Paeonia lactiflora	Huge perfumed late-spring blooms
Peony (Tree)	Paeonia suffruticosa	Giant blooms on a woody shrub
Perennial Sweet Pea	Lathyrus latifolius	Magenta-pink climbing sprays, toxic seeds
Periwinkle	Vinca minor	Blue-purple groundcover for shade, toxic
Persian Buttercup	Ranunculus asiaticus	Layered rose-like blooms
Persian Violet	Exacum affine	Lavender fragrant indoor blooms
Peruvian Daffodil	Hymenocallis narcissiflora	White spidery fragrant summer bulb
Peruvian Lily	Alstroemeria spp.	Streaked blooms with a long vase life
Petunia	Petunia × hybrida	Trumpet blooms all summer
Phacelia	Phacelia campanularia	Deep blue bells for dry spots
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)	Phalaenopsis spp.	Easy houseplant orchid
Phlox (Creeping)	Phlox subulata	Spring carpet of pink, white, or blue
Phlox (Garden)	Phlox paniculata	Fragrant summer clusters
Pickerelweed	Pontederia cordata	Blue-violet spikes for pond margins
Pieris	Pieris japonica	Dangling white bells, highly toxic
Pigsqueak	Bergenia cordifolia	Pink spring spikes over glossy leaves
Pincushion Flower	Scabiosa columbaria	Lavender-blue domes for butterflies
Pineapple Lily	Eucomis comosa	Spikes topped with a leafy crown
Pineapple Sage	Salvia elegans	Red fall spikes, pineapple-scented leaves
Pink Powder Puff	Calliandra haematocephala	Fluffy red-pink puffs on a tropical shrub
Pinks	Dianthus plumarius	Clove-scented fringed blooms
Pipevine	Aristolochia macrophylla	Pipe-shaped blooms, swallowtail host, toxic
Pitcher Plant	Sarracenia purpurea	Nodding red flowers on a carnivorous plant
Plains Coreopsis	Coreopsis tinctoria	Gold and mahogany daisies
Plantain Lily (exception)	Hosta plantaginea	Fragrant white blooms on a foliage plant
Pleione	Pleione formosana	Pink miniature orchid
Plum Blossom	Prunus cerasifera	Early pink-white spring blossom
Plumbago	Plumbago auriculata	Sky-blue clusters in warm weather
Plume Poppy	Macleaya cordata	Tall airy cream plumes
Plumed Cockscomb	Celosia plumosa	Feathery plumes in hot colors
Plumeria	Plumeria rubra	Waxy fragrant blooms, used in leis
Poached Egg Plant	Limnanthes douglasii	White-edged yellow blooms
Pocketbook Plant	Calceolaria herbeohybrida	Puffy pouch blooms in bright colors
Poinciana (Gulmohar)	Delonix regia	Fiery red blooms on a spreading shade tree
Poinsettia	Euphorbia pulcherrima	Red bracts at Christmas, mildly toxic
Polyanthus	Primula × polyanthus	Bright clustered primroses
Polygala	Polygala myrtifolia	Purple sweet-pea-like blooms on a shrub
Pomegranate Blossom	Punica granatum	Orange-red crinkled blooms
Pond Lily	Nymphaea odorata	Fragrant white floating bloom
Poppy (Field)	Papaver rhoeas	Red papery blooms of remembrance
Poppy (Iceland)	Papaver nudicaule	Cool-season cups in bright colors
Poppy Mallow	Callirhoe involucrata	Magenta cups on a sprawling native
Pot Marigold	Calendula officinalis	Orange daisies, edible petals
Potentilla	Potentilla fruticosa	Yellow summer blooms on a tough shrub
Prairie Clover	Dalea purpurea	Purple cones that feed native bees
Prairie Rose	Rosa setigera	Pink single wild climbing rose
Prairie Smoke	Geum triflorum	Pink nodding blooms, feathery seed heads
Prickly Pear	Opuntia ficus-indica	Yellow or orange cactus blooms
Pride of Madeira	Echium candicans	Blue-purple spires, bee magnet
Primrose	Primula vulgaris	Pale yellow early spring bloom
Princess Flower	Tibouchina urvilleana	Velvet purple blooms on a tender shrub
Protea (Sugarbush)	Protea repens	Cream and pink flower head, South African native
Pulmonaria	Pulmonaria saccharata	Pink-to-blue blooms over spotted leaves
Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea	Pink-purple petals around a spiky cone
Purple Loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria	Magenta spikes, invasive in wetlands
Purple Rock Cress	Aubrieta deltoidea	Spring carpet of purple for walls
Purple Sage	Salvia leucophylla	Lavender whorls for dry slopes
Purple Wreath	Petrea volubilis	Blue-violet sprays on a tropical vine
Pussytoes	Antennaria dioica	Fuzzy pink-white tufts on a mat
Puya	Puya berteroniana	Turquoise flower spikes on a bromeliad

That table names 83 distinct flowers that start with P. Pansy and pieris sit far apart in character. One is a cheerful, edible-flowered annual. The other is a pretty shrub that is highly toxic. Both show how wide this single letter reaches.

Full Comparison Table: Sun, Water, and Bloom Time

When two plants seem equally good, sun and water needs usually pick the winner. The table below compares the main P flowers from this guide. Read the sun column first. Then check the water column and the bloom season to see if the plant fits your space and your calendar.

Flower	Sun Needs	Water Needs	Bloom Season
Pansy	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Fall to spring in cool weather
Petunia	Full sun	Moderate	Spring to frost
Phlox (Garden)	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Midsummer
Peony	Full sun	Moderate	Late spring
Primrose	Part shade	Moderate to high	Early spring
Penstemon	Full sun	Low	Late spring to summer
Purple Coneflower	Full sun	Low to moderate	Summer to fall
Pincushion Flower	Full sun	Moderate	Summer to fall
Pasqueflower	Full sun	Low	Early spring
Pelargonium	Full sun	Low to moderate	Spring to fall
Plumbago	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Summer to fall in warm climates
Plumeria	Full sun	Low	Summer
Poinciana (Gulmohar)	Full sun	Low to moderate	Late spring to summer
Passionflower	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Summer to fall
Peace Lily	Low to medium light	Moderate	Spring to summer indoors
Phalaenopsis	Bright indirect light	Moderate	Often winter to spring
Pickerelweed	Full sun	Aquatic	Summer
Pineapple Sage	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Fall

Penstemon, pasqueflower, and plumeria are the best picks for hot, dry, lean soil. All three bloom better when they are not overwatered. Primrose and pickerelweed sit at the other end. They want moist soil, cool roots, or standing water.

Explore More Flower Guides: 50+ Beautiful Flowers That Start With O (With Pictures & Names)

Garden Favorites Among P Flowers

A handful of P flowers earn a place in almost every garden. Peony returns every spring and lives for decades. Garden phlox fills midsummer with scent and color. Purple coneflower blooms for months and feeds goldfinches in fall. Penstemon sends up tubular spikes that hummingbirds love.

• Peony needs full sun and shallow planting to bloom well.
• Garden Phlox brings fragrance and long summer color.
• Purple Coneflower is tough, long-blooming, and bee-friendly.
• Penstemon thrives in poor, sharp-draining soil.
• Pincushion Flower blooms for months and draws butterflies.

Peony and garden phlox make a strong pair. One carries late spring, and the other carries midsummer. Together they keep a border full from May to August.

A few care habits keep these plants happy. Plant peony roots no deeper than two inches below the soil, or it will not bloom. Give garden phlox good airflow to avoid mildew. Leave purple coneflower seed heads for the birds. Cut penstemon back lightly after its first flush.

Indoor and Container Picks Among P Flowers

Only a few P plants thrive indoors, but they are worth knowing. Phalaenopsis, the moth orchid, is one of the easiest orchids to grow, rewarding a bright window with weeks of blooms. Peace lily blooms in low light and signals when it needs water by drooping. Persian violet brings fragrant lavender blooms to a bright room. Petunia, pelargonium, and pansy thrive in sunny pots and baskets.

• Phalaenopsis wants bright, indirect light and a loose, bark-based mix.
• Peace Lily tolerates low light, but needs steady moisture.
• Persian Violet is short-lived, and it likes cool rooms and even moisture.
• Pelargonium blooms for months in sunny pots and window boxes.

The peace lily is the pick for beginners. It forgives missed waterings. Just keep it away from pets, since it contains crystals that can upset the stomach.

Light matters more than anything else for indoor P plants. A bright east window suits phalaenopsis and Persian violet. Avoid cold drafts and soggy saucers. Most of these plants fail from too much water, not too little.

You May Also Like: 60+ Beautiful Flowers That Start With J (With Pictures & Names)

Florist Favorites Among P Flowers

Florists use P flowers for fragrance, ruffles, and drama. Peonies are the top luxury flower of late spring, loved for their huge, perfumed blooms. Painted daisies, Peruvian lilies, and poppies bring color to casual bouquets. Pincushion flowers add soft texture. Protea brings a bold, sculptural focal point.

• Peony is lush and fragrant, and it is best cut in the bud stage.
• Peruvian Lily lasts up to two weeks in a vase.
• Protea (Sugarbush) is dramatic and dries beautifully.
• Painted Daisy gives long-lasting, wildflower-style color.
• Persian Buttercup looks like a ruffled rose and is a wedding favorite.

Peruvian lily and painted daisy are the quiet workhorses. They hold up in the vase long after softer blooms fade. A florist’s cooler in summer would feel empty without them.

Good vase care doubles the life of any cut flower. Strip the leaves below the water line. Recut the stems at an angle. Change the water every two days. For peonies, cut them when buds feel soft like a marshmallow, then let them open in water.

Rare and Unusual P Flowers

Some P plants are hard to find or hard to grow. Puya is a bromeliad from the Chilean Andes with turquoise flower spikes that rise from a spiky rosette. Pleione is a miniature orchid from the mountains of Asia that blooms before its leaves appear. Painted trillium is a delicate woodland wildflower from cool northern forests that resists transplanting. Pelican flower is a giant tropical vine whose bloom looks like a pelican and smells strange to attract flies.

These four plants share one trait. Each wants a very specific home. That is why they stay special. If you want to grow one, buy nursery-grown plants only. Never dig wild plants, since many rare P species are protected by law.

Caution: Toxic P Flowers

Several P plants can harm pets, livestock, or people. Pieris is the most dangerous. Every part of the shrub is poisonous, and it affects the heart. Pasqueflower and pipevine are also toxic. Perennial sweet pea seeds, periwinkle, and Peruvian daffodil bulbs can cause real illness. Peace lily, peony, pelargonium, and poinsettia cause milder problems, but they can still make pets sick.

Flower	Toxic To	Severity
Pieris	Dogs, cats, horses, livestock	Severe — all parts affect the heart and stomach
Pasqueflower	Dogs, cats, horses, livestock	Moderate to severe — sap irritates and poisons
Pipevine	Dogs, cats, humans	Moderate — contains aristolochic acids
Perennial Sweet Pea	Dogs, cats, horses	Moderate — seeds and pods upset the stomach
Periwinkle	Dogs, cats	Moderate — alkaloids can affect blood pressure
Peruvian Daffodil	Dogs, cats, horses	Moderate — bulbs cause vomiting and drooling
Peace Lily	Dogs, cats, humans	Mild to moderate — oxalate crystals burn the mouth
Peony	Dogs, cats, horses	Mild to moderate — vomiting and diarrhea
Pelargonium	Dogs, cats, horses	Mild to moderate — vomiting and skin irritation
Poinsettia	Dogs, cats	Mild — sap irritates mouth and stomach
Plumeria	Dogs, cats	Mild to moderate — milky sap irritates
Poppy (Field)	Dogs, cats, horses	Mild to moderate — sap upsets the stomach
Peruvian Lily	Dogs, cats	Mild — can cause drooling and vomiting

Pieris, pasqueflower, and pipevine deserve the loudest warning. Keep them away from children and pets. Peace lily and peony are milder, but a chewing dog can still get sick. Pansy and petunia, by contrast, are not on this list. If a pet or child eats any plant on this list, call a vet or poison control right away.

P Flowers Grouped by Color

Pink and rose lead the P list. Peony, phlox, petunia, pentas, pinks, and peach blossom all deliver shades from blush to deep rose. Peach blossom and plum blossom give the biggest show, since whole trees bloom on bare branches. Peony brings pink on a luxury scale. Pinks and phlox bring pink with a spicy scent.

Purple, blue, and lilac are the cool side of P. Pansy, plumbago, penstemon, pincushion flower, and purple coneflower bring these tones. Plumbago gives sky-blue clusters in warm weather. Pincushion flower and penstemon suit sunny borders. Pansy carries violet through the cool months.

Red and orange accents come from poinciana, poppy, pelargonium, pineapple sage, and peacock flower. Poinciana, also called gulmohar, covers whole trees in fire-red blooms before summer. Poppy and pelargonium suit sunny beds and pots. Pineapple sage lights up the fall garden and draws hummingbirds.

White and cream flowers include paperwhite, peace lily, pearl bush, plumeria, and pond lily. White glows at dusk and brightens shade. Paperwhite and plumeria add scent. Peace lily suits low-light rooms. Pond lily suits quiet water.

Yellow and gold bring warmth. Primrose, potentilla, pot marigold, plains coreopsis, and pocketbook plant glow in sun or light shade. Primrose arrives first, in early spring. Pot marigold and plains coreopsis carry yellow through summer. Potentilla suits tough, low-water hedges.

Life-Cycle Groupings for P Flowers

A plant’s life cycle tells you how much work to expect. Annuals live one season, so you replant each year. Biennials flower in their second year. Perennials return on their own. Bulbs need the right winter, cold or warm, to come back. Trees and shrubs take longer to bloom but last for decades. Zones below are approximate and vary by variety, so check your own plant tag.

Flower	Life Cycle	Typical Zones
Pansy	Annual or biennial (cool season)	All zones (seasonal)
Petunia	Tender perennial, grown as annual	All zones (seasonal)
Pot Marigold	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Plains Coreopsis	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Poppy (Field)	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Pelargonium	Tender perennial, often grown as annual	10–11 (perennial), elsewhere annual
Pentas	Tender perennial, often grown as annual	10–11 (perennial), elsewhere annual
Phlox (Garden)	Perennial	4–8
Phlox (Creeping)	Perennial	3–9
Peony	Perennial	3–8
Primrose	Perennial	4–8
Polyanthus	Perennial	3–8
Penstemon	Perennial	3–9
Purple Coneflower	Perennial	3–9
Pincushion Flower	Perennial	3–7
Pinks	Perennial	3–9
Pasqueflower	Perennial	3–7
Plume Poppy	Perennial	3–8
Painted Daisy	Perennial	3–7
Pickerelweed	Perennial (aquatic)	3–11
Pond Lily	Perennial (aquatic)	3–10
Peruvian Lily	Perennial	7–10
Peacock Orchid	Tender perennial (corm)	8–10
Pearl Bush	Perennial (shrub)	4–8
Potentilla	Perennial (shrub)	2–7
Peach Blossom	Perennial (small tree)	5–9
Plumbago	Tender perennial (shrub)	9–11
Plumeria	Tender perennial (small tree)	10–12
Poinciana (Gulmohar)	Tender perennial (tree)	10–12
Peace Lily	Tender perennial (houseplant)	11–12 (indoors elsewhere)

Peony and pansy are the two to watch. Peony takes a couple of years to settle, but then it can bloom for fifty years. Pansy is the opposite. It loves cool weather and fades fast in summer heat, so plant it in fall or very early spring in warm regions.

Botanical Name Crosswalk

Common names change from place to place. Botanical names do not. Nursery tags and seed packets use Latin for this reason. It also helps you search online with confidence. Two different plants can share one common name, so the Latin name protects you from a wrong purchase.

Common Name	Botanical Name
Pansy	Viola × wittrockiana
Petunia	Petunia × hybrida
Peony	Paeonia lactiflora
Phlox (Garden)	Phlox paniculata
Primrose	Primula vulgaris
Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea
Pincushion Flower	Scabiosa columbaria
Pasqueflower	Pulsatilla vulgaris
Passionflower	Passiflora caerulea
Peace Lily	Spathiphyllum wallisii
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)	Phalaenopsis spp.
Plumeria	Plumeria rubra
Poinciana (Gulmohar)	Delonix regia
Pot Marigold	Calendula officinalis
Pieris	Pieris japonica

Peace lily shows why this matters. Despite the name, it is not a true lily. True lilies, from the genus Lilium, are deadly to cats, while the peace lily is milder but still toxic. Also, do not mix up pot marigold and the common marigold. Pot marigold is Calendula, and common marigold is Tagetes. They are different plants.

What P Flowers Mean

Flower meanings vary by culture, but a good number of P flowers carry steady symbolism. Peony stands for prosperity, honor, and happy marriage. In China, it has long been called the king of flowers. Poppy stands for remembrance, and the red field poppy is worn each year to honor soldiers who died in war.

Pansy takes its name from the French word pensée, which means thought, so it stands for thoughtful remembrance. Primrose stands for young love and the first days of spring. Passionflower is named for the Passion of Christ, since Spanish missionaries saw its parts as symbols of the story. Pasqueflower is named for Easter, and it is the state flower of South Dakota.

Plumeria stands for devotion, new beginnings, and warm welcome. In Hawaii, it is strung into leis, and in Laos it is the national flower. In Pakistan, it is called gulchin and is often planted near homes and shrines. Poinciana, known as gulmohar, lights up South Asian streets with red blooms in early summer and marks the arrival of the hot season.

Peace lily stands for peace and sympathy, which is why it is a common gift for funerals. Phlox stands for unity and sweet dreams. Protea stands for change and courage, and the king protea is the national flower of South Africa. Petunia carried a double meaning in Victorian times, with both comfort and resentment. Match the flower to your message, and remember that the same bloom can mean something different in another culture.

Decision Table: Which P Flower Fits Your Situation

You do not have to read the whole list to choose well. Start with your goal in the left column. The right column names the best P flower for it. Then check the toxicity section if you have pets or children.

If You Want…	Choose This P Flower
Easy color all summer	Petunia, Pot Marigold, or Plains Coreopsis
Color in cool seasons	Pansy, Polyanthus, or Primrose
Bees and butterflies	Purple Coneflower, Pincushion Flower, or Pentas
Hummingbirds	Penstemon, Pineapple Sage, or Pagoda Flower
Strong fragrance	Garden Phlox, Paperwhite, or Plumeria
A flowering tree	Poinciana (Gulmohar), Peach Blossom, or Plum Blossom
An easy houseplant with blooms	Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)
A pond or water flower	Pond Lily or Pickerelweed
Hot, dry, low-water gardens	Penstemon, Plumeria, or Prickly Pear
A pet-friendlier garden	Pansy, Petunia, or Phalaenopsis (absent from this guide’s toxic list)

Petunia appears first because it is easy, bright, and not on the toxic list in this guide. Pansy is a good partner for it, since the two cover warm and cool seasons. Always double-check any plant with your vet if a pet is likely to chew it.

Conclusion

Flowers that start with P offer a very wide choice, from the cheerful pansy to the fiery gulmohar. This guide sorted 83 of them by color, life cycle, and use, so you can pick with confidence. Whether you want a perfumed peony border, a pollinator garden, or an easy orchid for a sunny window, there is a P flower that fits. Use the tables above, read the toxicity notes, and start planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flowers start with P?

More than 80 well-known flowers start with P. This guide lists 83, from common garden plants to rare orchids and tropical trees.

What is the most popular flower that starts with P?

Peony, petunia, pansy, poppy, and primrose are among the most popular. Plumeria and poinciana are favorites in warm climates.

What are the easiest flowers that start with P to grow?

Petunia, pot marigold, plains coreopsis, purple coneflower, and penstemon are very easy. Phalaenopsis is the easiest P houseplant.

Which P flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds?

Purple coneflower, pincushion flower, and penstemon draw butterflies and bees. Penstemon, pineapple sage, and pagoda flower draw hummingbirds.

Is peace lily poisonous to pets?

Yes, mildly. Peace lily contains crystals that burn the mouth and can cause drooling and vomiting. It is not a true lily, and it is far less dangerous to cats than true lilies.

Which P flower is the most dangerous?

PIRAEIS is the most dangerous for people and pets. Pasqueflower, pipevine, and perennial sweet pea seeds are also serious risks.

Are pansies safe for pets?

Pansies are generally listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats, and the flowers are edible. Still, check with your vet if a pet tends to chew plants.

What does a peony symbolize?

Peony stands for prosperity, honor, and a happy marriage. In China, it is called the king of flowers.

What is gulmohar?

Gulmohar is the South Asian name for Poinciana, Delonix regia. It is a spreading tree that covers itself in fiery red blooms in early summer.

What is gulchin?

Gulchin is the Urdu name for plumeria, Plumeria rubra. It has waxy, fragrant flowers and grows best in warm climates.