80+ Beautiful Flowers That Start With C (With Pictures, Names & Meanings)

Flowers that start with C include some of the most loved blooms in the world. Carnation, chrysanthemum, camellia, and cherry blossom are the big names. But the letter C also holds quieter finds, like crown imperial, cuckoo flower, and the calypso orchid. This guide brings them all together in one place.

The list below covers more than 80 flowers that start with C. Each one is a real plant with a verified botanical name. You will find garden staples, houseplants, florist picks, wild natives, and a few rare species that most lists skip.

A long list of flowers that start with C only helps if you can use it. So every plant here is sorted by color, life cycle, and use. Each table comes with plain-language notes. You will never hit a bare spreadsheet.

Read straight through or jump ahead. Want a pet-safe border? Go to the toxicity section. Need a name for a school project? Use the alphabetical list. Want a fast pick? Try the decision table near the end.

Quick Answer: Ten Standout C Flowers

Cosmos is the easiest place to begin. It grows from seed and blooms until frost. Coneflower is the tough pollinator favorite for sunny beds. Camellia brings glossy leaves and winter color. Carnation and chrysanthemum are the florist classics, loved for long vase life. Clematis is the climber that turns a fence into a wall of bloom. Calendula is the cheerful, edible annual. Crocus is the first spark of spring. Cherry blossom is the iconic spring tree. Calla lily closes the list as the elegant, sculpted choice for weddings and patios.

Master Alphabetical List of Flowers That Start With C

This list names more than 80 flowers that start with C. Most entries use a familiar common name. A few are better known by their botanical name, so those appear under the name nurseries print on their tags. Each row has a short note so you can tell at a glance what the plant looks like and where it grows best.

See More Flowers: 80+ Beautiful Flowers That Start With A (With Pictures, Names & Meanings)

Flower	Botanical Name	Note
Cabbage Rose	Rosa centifolia	Full, fragrant pink old rose
Calendula (Pot Marigold)	Calendula officinalis	Orange or yellow daisy, edible petals
Calibrachoa	Calibrachoa × hybrida	Mini petunia-like blooms for baskets
California Poppy	Eschscholzia californica	Orange silky cups, state flower of California
Calla Lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica	Elegant white spathe around a yellow spike
Calypso Orchid	Calypso bulbosa	Rare pink woodland orchid
Camassia	Camassia quamash	Blue-violet star spikes from native bulbs
Camellia	Camellia japonica	Glossy leaves, rose-like winter blooms
Camellia Sasanqua	Camellia sasanqua	Earlier, smaller, fall-blooming camellia
Campion (Red)	Silene dioica	Bright pink-red blooms, woodland edge plant
Candytuft	Iberis sempervirens	White evergreen mounds, spring bloom
Canna Lily	Canna indica	Bold tropical leaves with orange or red spikes
Canterbury Bells	Campanula medium	Tall stems of large bell flowers
Cape Daisy	Osteospermum ecklonis	Daisy blooms that close at night
Cape Fuchsia	Phygelius capensis	Red-orange tubular blooms, hummingbird plant
Cape Primrose	Streptocarpus × hybridus	Trumpet blooms for bright indoor spots
Cardinal Flower	Lobelia cardinalis	Fiery red spikes for moist soil
Carnation	Dianthus caryophyllus	Ruffled, spicy-scented cut flower
Carolina Jessamine	Gelsemium sempervirens	Yellow fragrant vine, highly toxic
Cat’s Claw Vine	Dolichandra unguis-cati	Bright yellow trumpets on a fast climber
Cat’s Whiskers	Orthosiphon aristatus	White flowers with long, whisker-like stamens
Catalpa Blossom	Catalpa speciosa	White frilled bloom on a large shade tree
Catmint	Nepeta × faassenii	Lavender-blue spikes, long bloom time
Cattleya Orchid	Cattleya spp.	Large, ruffled, fragrant corsage orchid
Celosia	Celosia argentea	Plume or crest blooms in hot colors
Cherokee Rose	Rosa laevigata	Single white rose, state flower of Georgia
Cherry Blossom	Prunus serrulata	Pink-white clouds of spring bloom
Chenille Plant	Acalypha hispida	Long red fuzzy tails, tropical shrub
Chicory	Cichorium intybus	Sky-blue roadside daisy
Chilean Glory Flower	Eccremocarpus scaber	Orange-red tubular blooms on a climber
China Aster	Callistephus chinensis	Full pom-pom blooms, cut flower
China Rose	Rosa chinensis	Everblooming old rose in pink or red
Chinese Forget-Me-Not	Cynoglossum amabile	Deep blue small flowers
Chinese Fringe Flower	Loropetalum chinense	Pink spidery blooms on a dark-leaved shrub
Chinese Lantern	Physalis alkekengi	Orange papery lanterns around small blooms
Chinese Peony	Paeonia lactiflora	Huge, fragrant late-spring blooms
Chives Flower	Allium schoenoprasum	Purple pompoms, edible
Chocolate Cosmos	Cosmos atrosanguineus	Dark red blooms with a chocolate scent
Christmas Cactus	Schlumbergera × buckleyi	Pink or red winter blooms indoors
Christmas Rose	Helleborus niger	White winter bloom, toxic
Chrysanthemum	Chrysanthemum × morifolium	Fall mum in nearly every color
Cineraria	Pericallis × hybrida	Bright daisy clusters for cool rooms
Cinquefoil	Potentilla fruticosa	Yellow shrub blooms all summer
Citrus Blossom	Citrus × sinensis	Fragrant white bloom, grown mostly for fruit
Clarkia	Clarkia amoena	Silky pink cups, cool-season annual
Clematis	Clematis spp.	Large climbing blooms in many colors
Cleome	Cleome hassleriana	Spiky pink and white spider flowers
Clivia	Clivia miniata	Orange trumpet clusters for shady rooms
Clover (Red)	Trifolium pratense	Pink pom-pom blooms, bee favorite
Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)	Colchicum autumnale	Lilac blooms in fall, highly toxic
Columbine	Aquilegia vulgaris	Spurred blooms that look like tiny lanterns
Common Primrose	Primula vulgaris	Pale yellow early spring bloom
Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea	Pink petals around a spiky cone
Confederate Rose	Hibiscus mutabilis	Blooms that change from white to pink
Coral Bean	Erythrina herbacea	Red tubular spikes, red toxic seeds
Coral Bells	Heuchera sanguinea	Tiny red bells above colorful leaves
Coral Honeysuckle	Lonicera sempervirens	Red-orange trumpet vine, hummingbird favorite
Coral Tree	Erythrina crista-galli	Crimson, cockscomb-shaped blooms
Coral Vine	Antigonon leptopus	Pink heart-shaped sprays on a fast vine
Coreopsis	Coreopsis grandiflora	Golden daisies for months
Corn Poppy	Papaver rhoeas	Red papery blooms, symbol of remembrance
Cornflower	Centaurea cyanus	True-blue fringed blooms
Corydalis	Corydalis lutea	Yellow tubular blooms for shady walls
Cosmos	Cosmos bipinnatus	Airy pink, white, and magenta daisies
Cowslip	Primula veris	Yellow drooping clusters, spring meadows
Crabapple Blossom	Malus spp.	Pink-white spring bloom, bird-friendly fruit
Crape Myrtle	Lagerstroemia indica	Summer-long frilly blooms on a small tree
Cranesbill	Geranium spp.	Hardy, long-blooming perennial geranium
Creeping Buttercup	Ranunculus repens	Glossy yellow cups, spreads fast
Creeping Jenny	Lysimachia nummularia	Golden coins with small yellow flowers
Creeping Phlox	Phlox subulata	Carpet of spring color
Crepe Jasmine	Tabernaemontana divaricata	White pinwheel blooms, fragrant at night
Crimson Clover	Trifolium incarnatum	Bright red cone-shaped blooms
Crinum Lily	Crinum asiaticum	Large white spider-like blooms
Crocosmia	Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora	Fiery arching sprays in summer
Crocus	Crocus vernus	First blooms of spring, cup-shaped
Crown Imperial	Fritillaria imperialis	Tall stems topped with orange bells and leaves
Crown of Thorns	Euphorbia milii	Small red bracts on a spiny, tough houseplant
Cuckoo Flower	Cardamine pratensis	Pale lilac meadow bloom
Cuckoo Pint	Arum maculatum	Hooded green spathe, red toxic berries
Cup and Saucer Vine	Cobaea scandens	Purple bells sitting in green saucers
Cuphea (Cigar Flower)	Cuphea ignea	Red tubes tipped with white and black
Cyclamen	Cyclamen persicum	Swept-back petals over marbled leaves
Cymbidium Orchid	Cymbidium spp.	Long-lasting orchid sprays
Cypress Vine	Ipomoea quamoclit	Fine feathery leaves, small red stars

That makes 85 distinct flowers that start with C. Calla lily and cuckoo pint sit far apart in safety and style. One is a wedding classic. The other is a woodland oddity with poisonous berries. Both show how much range this one letter holds.

Full Comparison Table: Sun, Water, and Bloom Time

Sun and water needs often decide which plant wins. The table below compares the main flowers that start with C from this guide. Check the sun column first. Then look at water needs and bloom season to see if the plant fits your space and calendar.

Flower	Sun Needs	Water Needs	Bloom Season
Calendula	Full sun	Low to moderate	Spring to early summer, again in fall
California Poppy	Full sun	Low	Spring to summer
Calla Lily	Full sun to part shade	Moderate to high	Late spring to summer
Camellia	Part shade	Moderate	Fall to early spring
Canna Lily	Full sun	Moderate to high	Summer to fall
Cardinal Flower	Part shade	High	Late summer
Carnation	Full sun	Moderate	Spring to summer
Chrysanthemum	Full sun	Moderate	Fall
Christmas Cactus	Bright indirect light	Low to moderate	Late fall to winter
Clematis	Sun for the top, shade for the roots	Moderate	Spring to fall, by type
Columbine	Part shade	Moderate	Late spring
Coneflower	Full sun	Low to moderate	Summer to fall
Coral Bells	Part shade	Moderate	Late spring to summer
Coreopsis	Full sun	Low	Summer
Cosmos	Full sun	Low	Summer to frost
Crape Myrtle	Full sun	Low once established	Summer
Crocus	Full sun to part shade	Low	Late winter to early spring
Cyclamen	Bright indirect light	Moderate	Fall to spring

Cosmos and coreopsis are the best picks for hot, dry spots. Both thrive on little water. Cardinal flower sits at the other end. It wants steady moisture and cool roots.

Garden Favorites Among Flowers That Start With C

A handful of C flowers earn a spot in almost every garden. Coneflower blooms for months and feeds bees and goldfinches. Coreopsis keeps flowering through summer heat. Columbine brings elegant, spurred blooms to part-shade beds. Catmint fills borders with soft blue spikes and needs almost no care.

• Coneflower returns every year and draws pollinators all summer.
• Coreopsis blooms for weeks with little deadheading.
• Columbine self-seeds gently and brightens shady corners.
• Catmint blooms from late spring and rebounds after a trim.
• Cosmos grows quickly from seed and fills gaps in a bed.

Coneflower and catmint make a strong pair. One has bold, daisy-like heads. The other adds a soft, misty blue. Together they look full from early summer until frost.

Find More Ideas: 100+ Flowers That Start With B: Names, Meanings & Beautiful Photos

Indoor Plants Among Flowers That Start With C

Several C flowers do well indoors. Christmas cactus blooms in the darkest months and lives for decades. Cyclamen brings cool-season color to bright rooms. Clivia produces orange flower clusters in shade. Cape primrose rewards a sunny windowsill with repeat blooms.

• Christmas Cactus needs cool nights in fall to set buds.
• Cyclamen prefers cool rooms and bright light.
• Clivia blooms best when it is slightly root-bound.
• Cymbidium Orchid thrives in bright light with cooler nights.
• Crown of Thorns tolerates dry air and forgetful watering.

Crown of thorns is the pick for beginners. It handles neglect and blooms almost all year. Just wear gloves. Its sap can irritate skin.

Florist Favorites Among Flowers That Start With C

Florists rely on C flowers for color and staying power. Carnations last up to two weeks in a vase. Chrysanthemums hold their shape for just as long. Calla lilies bring clean, modern lines. Cosmos and cornflower add a soft, wildflower mood to loose bouquets.

• Carnations last about two weeks and come in many colors.
• Chrysanthemum is long-lasting and ranges from buttons to giant blooms.
• Calla Lily gives sculptural elegance to weddings.
• Cornflower offers rare true blue.
• China Aster adds full, pom-pom texture.

Carnation and chrysanthemum are the quiet workhorses. They rarely steal the show. But a florist’s cooler would feel empty without them.

Rare Flowers That Start With C

Some C flowers are hard to find in the wild or at a nursery. Calypso orchid grows in cool northern forests and rarely survives transplanting. Crown imperial is an ancient garden bulb with a skunky smell and a crown of leaves above its bells. Chilean glory flower is a climber from the Andes that struggles in hot summers. Coral bean is a southeastern native with red spikes and bright seeds that most gardeners never see.

These four plants share one trait. Each wants a very specific home. That is why they stay special.

Caution: Toxic Flowers That Start With C

Several C flowers can harm pets, livestock, or people. Carolina jessamine and colchicum are the most dangerous. Every part of both plants is poisonous. Crown imperial and Christmas rose affect the heart. Calla lily, cuckoo pint, and cyclamen cause strong mouth irritation or stomach upset.

Flower	Toxic To	Severity
Carolina Jessamine	Humans, dogs, cats, livestock	Severe — all parts, can be fatal
Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)	Humans, dogs, cats, livestock	Severe — bulbs and all parts
Crown Imperial	Dogs, cats, humans	Moderate to severe — affects the heart
Christmas Rose	Dogs, cats, horses	Moderate — heart-affecting compounds
Cuckoo Pint	Dogs, cats, humans	Moderate — oxalate crystals, burning mouth
Cyclamen	Dogs, cats	Moderate — tubers are the most toxic part
Calla Lily	Dogs, cats, humans	Mild to moderate — oral and throat irritation
Crinum Lily	Dogs, cats	Moderate — bulbs cause vomiting and drooling
Columbine	Dogs, cats, humans	Mild to moderate — seeds and roots are riskiest
Chrysanthemum	Dogs, cats, horses	Mild to moderate — drooling and stomach upset
Clematis	Dogs, cats, horses	Mild to moderate — sap irritates mouth and skin
Crown of Thorns	Dogs, cats, humans	Mild to moderate — sap irritates skin and eyes

Carolina jessamine and colchicum deserve the loudest warning. Keep both away from children and pets. Chrysanthemum and clematis are milder, but a chewing dog can still get sick. If a pet eats any plant on this list, call a vet or poison control right away.

Explore More Blooms: 100+ Flowers That Start With D (Names, Meanings & Beautiful Photos)

C Flowers Grouped by Color

Pink and red lead the C list. Carnation, camellia, cosmos, cherry blossom, and crape myrtle all deliver shades from blush to deep rose. Cherry blossom and crape myrtle give the boldest show, since they bloom on whole trees. Cosmos and carnation suit cutting gardens and small beds.

White and cream flowers include calla lily, candytuft, Christmas rose, and Cherokee rose. White brightens shade and glows at dusk. Calla lily suits formal containers. Candytuft makes a clean edge along paths. Christmas rose is a rare winter gift.

Yellow and orange bring warmth. Calendula, California poppy, coreopsis, and crocosmia glow in full sun. They pair well in meadow-style plantings. California poppy and calendula are also easy from seed.

Blue and purple are rarer, but C does well here. Cornflower, catmint, clematis, and campanula add cool tones. Use them to calm down hot-colored beds. Cornflower and catmint suit sunny borders. Clematis climbs where blue is needed up high.

Red-hot accents come from cardinal flower, cape fuchsia, and coral honeysuckle. All three draw hummingbirds. Plant them where you can watch from a window.

Life-Cycle Groupings for Flowers That Start With C

A plant’s life cycle tells you how much work it will be. Annuals live one season, so you replant each year. Perennials return on their own. Bulbs and tubers need the right winter, cold or warm, to come back. Choose annuals for fresh color each year. Choose perennials for a bed that matures.

Flower	Life Cycle	Typical Zones
Calendula	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
California Poppy	Annual (perennial in mild climates)	8–10 (perennial), elsewhere annual
Cosmos	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Cornflower	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Celosia	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Cleome	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Candytuft	Perennial	3–9
Catmint	Perennial	3–8
Columbine	Perennial	3–9
Coneflower	Perennial	3–9
Coreopsis	Perennial	4–9
Coral Bells	Perennial	4–9
Creeping Phlox	Perennial	3–9
Carnation (Dianthus)	Perennial	3–9
Chrysanthemum (garden mum)	Perennial	5–9
Clematis	Perennial (vine)	4–9
Camellia	Perennial (shrub)	7–9
Crape Myrtle	Perennial (shrub or tree)	7–9
Crocus	Perennial (bulb)	3–8
Canna Lily	Tender perennial (rhizome)	7–10
Calla Lily	Tender perennial (rhizome)	8–10

Garden mums and canna lilies are the two to watch. Many people buy mums in fall and assume they are annuals. Planted early, they often return. Cannas look tropical but survive winter only in warmer zones or when lifted and stored.

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
Calendula	Calendula officinalis
California Poppy	Eschscholzia californica
Calla Lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica
Camellia	Camellia japonica
Carnation	Dianthus caryophyllus
Chrysanthemum	Chrysanthemum × morifolium
Clematis	Clematis spp.
Columbine	Aquilegia vulgaris
Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea
Coreopsis	Coreopsis grandiflora
Cornflower	Centaurea cyanus
Cosmos	Cosmos bipinnatus
Crocus	Crocus vernus
Cyclamen	Cyclamen persicum
Autumn Crocus	Colchicum autumnale

Crocus and autumn crocus are the pair to watch. They share a name but belong to different families. True crocus is safe to grow. Colchicum, called autumn crocus, is highly toxic. The Latin name tells them apart.

What C Flowers Mean

Flower meanings vary by culture, but a few C flowers carry steady symbolism. Carnation stands for love and fascination. Its color changes the message. Pink often means a mother’s love. Red means deep admiration. Yellow can suggest disappointment. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and honor in Japan, where it appears on imperial crests. In parts of Europe, it is tied to mourning, so context matters.

Camellia has long meant admiration and perfection. In Victorian flower language, a red camellia said you were a flame in someone’s heart. The calla lily stands for beauty and rebirth, which is why it appears at weddings and Easter. The cherry blossom is the symbol of renewal and the fleeting nature of life, especially in Japan.

Cosmos stands for order, harmony, and peace. Cornflower carries hope and delicacy. Crocus speaks of youthful joy, since it is among the first blooms of spring. Clematis stands for mental beauty and clever thinking. Corn poppy is a symbol of remembrance in many countries. Calendula has a double meaning, with joy in some cultures and grief in others. Pick the flower that fits your message and your audience.

Decision Table: Which C Flower Fits Your Situation

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

If You Want…	Choose This C Flower
Easy color from seed	Cosmos, Calendula, or Cornflower
Pollinator support	Coneflower, Catmint, or Cardinal Flower
A shady spring show	Columbine or Coral Bells
A long-blooming sunny border	Coreopsis or Coneflower
A climbing vine	Clematis
A winter-blooming shrub	Camellia
A houseplant with blooms	Christmas Cactus or Cyclamen
Wedding or bouquet flowers	Calla Lily, Carnation, or Chrysanthemum
A low spring carpet	Creeping Phlox or Crocus
A pet-friendlier garden	Cosmos, Calendula, or Coneflower

Cosmos appears twice because it is easy, bright, and not on the toxic list in this guide. Coneflower and calendula are good partners for it. If you want flowers that start with C for a family garden, begin with those three.

Conclusion

Flowers that start with C give you more choice than almost any other letter. They run from the humble cornflower to the stately crown imperial. This guide sorted more than 80 of them by color, life cycle, and use so you can pick with confidence. Whether you want a pollinator border, a winter shrub, or a bouquet classic, there is a C flower that fits. Use the tables above, check the toxicity notes, and start planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flowers start with C? More than 80 well-known flowers start with C. This guide lists 85 of them, from common garden plants to rare wildflowers.

What is the most popular flower that starts with C? Carnation, chrysanthemum, and cosmos are among the most popular. Camellia and cherry blossom are the best-known flowering trees and shrubs.

What are the easiest flowers that start with C to grow? Cosmos, calendula, cornflower, and California poppy are very easy to grow from seed. Coneflower and coreopsis are easy perennials.

Which C flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds? Coneflower, catmint, cardinal flower, and cape fuchsia are top picks. Coral honeysuckle and cuphea also draw hummingbirds.

Are calla lilies poisonous to pets? Yes. Calla lilies contain crystals that irritate the mouth and throat. Chewing can cause drooling and vomiting, so keep pets away.

Which C flower is the most dangerous? Carolina jessamine and colchicum are the most dangerous. Every part of both plants is toxic to people, pets, and livestock.

Is autumn crocus the same as crocus? 

No. Colchicum, called autumn crocus, is highly toxic. True crocus belongs to a different plant family and is safe to grow.

What does a carnation symbolize? 

A carnation stands for love and fascination. Pink often means a mother’s love, red means admiration, and yellow can mean disappointment.

Which C flowers bloom in winter? 

Camellia and Christmas rose bloom in the cold months. Christmas cactus and cyclamen brighten homes in winter.

Do chrysanthemums come back every year? 

Garden mums often do in zones 5 to 9 if planted early enough to root before winter. Florist mums are usually short-lived.

Which C flowers work best for shade? Columbine, coral bells, camellia, and clivia do well in shade. Cardinal flower likes part shade with steady moisture.

Which C flowers make good cut flowers? Carnation, chrysanthemum, calla lily, cosmos, and cornflower all cut well. China aster and celosia also work.

What is the rarest flower that starts with C? 

Calypso orchid and crown imperial are among the rarest. Calypso orchid is very hard to grow outside its native forests.