70+ Flowers That Start With K: Beautiful Names, Meanings & Photos

Flowers that start with K are bold, unusual, and full of surprises. Kangaroo paw, kerria, kniphofia, and kousa dogwood are the names most gardeners know. But the letter K also hides a plant that blooms only once every twelve years, a flower that opens for a single night, and the national flower of South Africa. This guide gathers 72 of them in one place.

Every plant below is real and has a verified botanical name. You will find border favorites, houseplants, florist picks, trees, wildflowers, and several rarities from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Three entries are grown mainly for fiber, fruit, or ground cover, and each one 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.

Quick Answer: Ten Standout K Flowers

Kniphofia is the show-off, with torch-like spikes of orange and yellow that hummingbirds love. Kangaroo paw is the quirky Australian bloom with fuzzy, paw-shaped flowers in red, yellow, and green. Kerria lights up shady spring corners with golden blooms on bright green stems, and kousa dogwood adds layers of pointed white bracts in early summer.

Kwanzan cherry is the famous double pink blossom, while Korean spice viburnum fills the air with a clove-like scent. Kalanchoe is the easy houseplant that blooms through winter. King protea is the dramatic, dinner-plate flower of South Africa, and kachnar brings orchid-like blooms and edible buds to warm South Asian gardens.

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Master Alphabetical List of Flowers That Start With K

This list names 72 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. Three entries are marked as exceptions because the flower is not the main reason people grow them.

Flower	Botanical Name	Note
Kachnar	Bauhinia variegata	Orchid-like pink-purple blooms, edible buds in South Asia
Kadupul Flower	Epiphyllum oxypetalum	White night-bloomer that fades by dawn
Kahili Ginger	Hedychium gardnerianum	Yellow and red fragrant spikes, invasive in Hawaii
Kaempferia (Peacock Ginger)	Kaempferia pulchra	Small lilac blooms over patterned leaves
Kakabeak	Clianthus puniceus	Rare New Zealand shrub with red claw-shaped blooms
Kalanchoe	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana	Long-lasting clusters in red, pink, orange, or yellow
Kalimeris	Kalimeris indica	Small lavender daisies on a tidy plant
Kalmia (Mountain Laurel)	Kalmia latifolia	Cup-shaped pink-white blooms, highly toxic
Kalmiopsis	Kalmiopsis leachiana	Rare pink-flowered shrub from Oregon
Kamahi	Weinmannia racemosa	White flower spikes on a New Zealand forest tree
Kamchatka Stonecrop	Phedimus kamtschaticus	Golden star flowers on a hardy groundcover
Kaner (Oleander)	Nerium oleander	Pink or white clusters, highly toxic
Kangaroo Apple	Solanum aviculare	Purple star flowers, toxic unripe fruit
Kangaroo Paw	Anigozanthos flavidus	Fuzzy tubular blooms in red, yellow, and green
Kangaroo Thorn	Acacia paradoxa	Golden yellow puffs on a prickly Australian shrub
Kanuka	Kunzea ericoides	White starry blooms on a New Zealand shrub
Kansas Gayfeather	Liatris pycnostachya	Tall purple-pink spikes, butterfly favorite
Kapok	Ceiba pentandra	Tropical tree with large pale flowers pollinated by bats
Kashmir Bouquet	Clerodendrum bungei	Domed pink fragrant clusters
Kaufmanniana Tulip	Tulipa kaufmanniana	Very early star-shaped tulip
Kenaf (exception)	Hibiscus cannabinus	Cream hibiscus-like bloom on a fiber crop
Kennedia (Coral Pea)	Kennedia prostrata	Scarlet pea flowers on a spreading Australian groundcover
Kenilworth Ivy	Cymbalaria muralis	Tiny lilac flowers on trailing wall plants
Kentucky Wisteria	Wisteria macrostachya	Violet clusters on a less aggressive wisteria
Kerria	Kerria japonica	Golden yellow spring blooms on green stems
Keurboom	Virgilia divaricata	Pink pea flowers on a fast-growing South African tree
Kewra (Screwpine)	Pandanus odorifer	Strongly scented flower used for kewra water
Kidney Vetch	Anthyllis vulneraria	Yellow clustered pea flowers for dry, chalky soil
Kidneyleaf Buttercup	Ranunculus abortivus	Small yellow woodland buttercup
Kigelia (Sausage Tree)	Kigelia africana	Maroon bell flowers, bat-pollinated, huge hanging fruit
King Alfred Daffodil	Narcissus ‘King Alfred’	Classic large golden trumpet daffodil
King Protea	Protea cynaroides	Giant pink flower head, national flower of South Africa
King’s Crown	Justicia carnea	Pink plume-like tropical shrub bloom
King’s Spear	Asphodeline lutea	Tall yellow spikes, Mediterranean native
Kingcup	Caltha palustris	Bright yellow cups for wet ground, toxic
Kingfisher Daisy	Felicia bergeriana	Small sky-blue daisies, low-growing
Kinnikinnick	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	Small pink-white bells on a tough groundcover
Kirengeshoma	Kirengeshoma palmata	Waxy pale yellow bells for shade
Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate	Persicaria orientalis	Drooping crimson tassels on a tall annual
Kiku	Chrysanthemum × morifolium	Japanese name for the chrysanthemum, emblem of the emperor
Knapweed	Centaurea nigra	Purple thistle-like meadow flower
Knautia	Knautia macedonica	Deep crimson pincushion blooms
Kniphofia	Kniphofia uvaria	Orange and yellow torch spikes
Koa	Acacia koa	Hawaiian tree with pale yellow flower puffs
Koelreuteria (Golden Rain Tree)	Koelreuteria paniculata	Yellow summer plumes on a small tree
Kohleria	Kohleria amabilis	Spotted tubular blooms, indoor favorite
Kokia	Kokia drynarioides	Rare Hawaiian tree with red hibiscus-like flowers
Kolkwitzia (Beautybush)	Kolkwitzia amabilis	Arching shrub covered in pink bells
Kopsia	Kopsia fruticosa	Pink-white pinwheel blooms on a tropical shrub
Korean Azalea	Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense	Fragrant lavender-pink spring blooms
Korean Bellflower	Campanula takesimana	Large pale bells with purple freckles
Korean Chrysanthemum	Chrysanthemum zawadskii	Hardy daisy-like fall bloom
Korean Forsythia	Forsythia ovata	One of the earliest and hardiest forsythias
Korean Lilac	Syringa meyeri	Compact, fragrant purple-pink blooms
Korean Mint	Agastache rugosa	Purple spikes loved by bees and hummingbirds
Korean Rhododendron	Rhododendron mucronulatum	Bright pink blooms in very early spring
Korean Spice Viburnum	Viburnum carlesii	Clove-scented pink-white clusters
Korean Stewartia	Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana	White camellia-like summer blooms
Kosteletzkya (Seashore Mallow)	Kosteletzkya pentacarpos	Pink hibiscus-like blooms for wet coastal soil
Kou	Cordia subcordata	Orange trumpet flowers on a Pacific coastal tree
Kousa Dogwood	Cornus kousa	White pointed bracts in early summer
Kōwhai	Sophora tetraptera	Hanging golden bells, New Zealand favorite
Kōtukutuku	Fuchsia excorticata	Tree fuchsia with purple and blue-green blooms
Kleinhovia	Kleinhovia hospita	Pink flower clusters on a tropical tree
Koromiko	Veronica stricta	White to lilac spikes on a New Zealand shrub
Kudzu (exception)	Pueraria montana	Fragrant purple pea flowers on an invasive vine
Kumquat Blossom (exception)	Citrus japonica	Fragrant white bloom on a fruit tree
Kunzea	Kunzea ambigua	White fluffy blooms on an Australian shrub
Kurinji	Strobilanthes kunthiana	Blue-purple blooms, once every twelve years
Kurrajong	Brachychiton populneus	Creamy bells on a tough Australian shade tree
Kurume Azalea	Rhododendron × obtusum	Small, dense blooms in many colors
Kwanzan Cherry	Prunus ‘Kanzan’	Double pink spring blossoms

That table names 72 distinct flowers that start with K. Kangaroo paw and kudzu sit at opposite ends of the story. One is a prized ornamental from Western Australia. The other is an invasive vine that smothers whole forests. 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 K 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
Kangaroo Paw	Full sun	Low	Spring to summer
Kalanchoe	Bright light	Low	Winter to spring
Kansas Gayfeather	Full sun	Low to moderate	Late summer
Kerria	Part shade	Moderate	Spring
Kirengeshoma	Part to full shade	Moderate to high	Late summer to fall
Knautia	Full sun	Low to moderate	Summer to fall
Kniphofia	Full sun	Moderate	Summer to fall
Korean Mint	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Summer to fall
Kousa Dogwood	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Late spring to early summer
Kwanzan Cherry	Full sun	Moderate	Mid-spring
Korean Spice Viburnum	Full sun to part shade	Moderate	Spring
King Protea	Full sun	Low	Winter to spring in mild climates
Kachnar	Full sun	Low to moderate	Late winter to spring
Kingcup	Full sun to part shade	High	Early spring
King Alfred Daffodil	Full sun	Moderate	Early to mid-spring
Kaufmanniana Tulip	Full sun	Low to moderate	Very early spring
Kolkwitzia	Full sun	Low to moderate	Late spring
Kalmia	Part shade	Moderate	Late spring to early summer

King protea and kangaroo paw are the best picks for hot, dry, lean soil. Both resent heavy fertilizer and wet feet. Kingcup and kirengeshoma sit at the other end. They want damp soil and cool roots.

Garden Favorites Among K Flowers

A handful of K flowers earn a place in almost every garden. Kniphofia brings fiery spikes to sunny beds from summer to fall. Kerria fills a shady corner with gold in spring and keeps green stems for winter interest. Knautia floats crimson pincushions above a border all summer. Kansas gayfeather sends up purple spikes that butterflies cannot resist.

• Kniphofia thrives in sun and draws hummingbirds and bees.
• Kerria grows in part shade and needs little pruning.
• Knautia blooms for months and self-seeds gently.
• Kansas Gayfeather is a tough native that handles dry spells.
• Kousa Dogwood is a small tree with four-season interest.

Kniphofia and knautia make a strong pair. One gives hot orange spears, and the other gives deep red pincushions. Together they carry a sunny border from midsummer to fall.

A few care habits keep these plants happy. Plant kniphofia in well-drained soil, since wet winter roots can kill it. Prune kerria right after it blooms. Leave knautia seed heads for finches. Give kousa dogwood room to spread, because it grows wide with age.

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Indoor and Container Picks Among K Flowers

Only a few K plants thrive indoors, but they are worth knowing. Kalanchoe is the easiest, blooming for weeks in winter with almost no care. Kohleria produces spotted, tubular blooms in bright rooms. Kaempferia, called peacock ginger, grows patterned leaves with small lilac flowers in summer. Kangaroo paw grows well in pots on sunny patios in cooler climates.

• Kalanchoe wants bright light and soil that dries out between waterings.
• Kalanchoe likes warmth, humidity, and bright, indirect light.
• Kaempferia goes dormant in winter and wakes in spring.
• Kangaroo Paw needs sun, sharp drainage, and little feeding.

Kalanchoe is the pick for beginners. It forgives missed waterings. Just remember that it blooms when days are short, so give it long, dark nights in autumn to set buds.

Light matters more than anything else for indoor K plants. A bright east or south window suits kalanchoe and kohleria. Avoid cold drafts and soggy saucers. Most of these plants fail from too much water, not too little.

Florist Favorites Among K Flowers

Florists use K flowers for drama, shape, and long vase life. King protea is the luxury showpiece, lasting two weeks or more and drying beautifully. Kangaroo paw brings fuzzy, architectural stems to modern bouquets. Kniphofia adds hot-colored spikes to large arrangements. Branches of Kwanzan cherry and kerria can be cut and forced indoors in late winter.

• King Protea is dramatic, long-lasting, and dries well.
• Kangaroo Paw adds a quirky, modern look and lasts about two weeks.
• Kniphofia gives height and color to big arrangements.
• Kwanzan Cherry branches bring spring indoors early.
• Kiku (Chrysanthemum) is a staple in Japanese floral art and lasts well.

King protea and kangaroo paw are the statement flowers. They stand out in any vase. A florist’s bouquet using both would look bold, modern, and unforgettable.

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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 protea, keep the water shallow, since the thick stems rot quickly if they sit too deep.

Rare and Unusual K Flowers

Some K plants are hard to find or hard to grow. Kurinji is the most famous. It blooms in blue-purple waves across the hills of southern India only once every twelve years, and the hills there are named for it. Kadupul is a night-blooming cactus flower from Sri Lanka that opens after dark and fades before dawn. Kokia is a rare Hawaiian tree with red hibiscus-like flowers that survives in very small numbers. Kakabeak is a New Zealand shrub with red claw-shaped blooms that is threatened in the wild.

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 K species are protected by law.

Caution: Toxic K Flowers

Several K plants can harm pets, livestock, or people. Kaner, also called oleander, is the most dangerous. Every part of the plant is poisonous, and even small amounts can affect the heart. Kalmia, known as mountain laurel, is toxic to pets and grazing animals. Kalanchoe contains compounds that can upset the stomach and heart in cats and dogs. Kangaroo apple has toxic unripe berries.

Flower	Toxic To	Severity
Kaner (Oleander)	Humans, dogs, cats, horses, livestock	Severe — all parts affect the heart, can be fatal
Kalmia (Mountain Laurel)	Dogs, cats, horses, livestock	Severe — all parts affect the heart and stomach
Kōwhai	Humans, dogs, cats, livestock	Moderate to severe — seeds are the riskiest part
Kangaroo Apple	Humans, dogs, cats, livestock	Moderate — unripe fruit and leaves
Kalanchoe	Dogs, cats, horses	Moderate — can affect heart rhythm in large amounts
Kentucky Wisteria	Dogs, cats, horses	Moderate — seeds and pods upset the stomach
Kingcup	Dogs, cats, livestock	Moderate — sap irritates mouth and skin
Kidneyleaf Buttercup	Dogs, cats, livestock	Mild to moderate — sap irritates mouth and skin
Kigelia	Humans, livestock	Moderate — raw, unripe fruit is toxic

Kaner and kalmia deserve the loudest warning. Keep both away from children, pets, and livestock. Kingcup and kidneyleaf buttercup are milder, but a chewing dog can still get sick. If a pet or child eats any plant on this list, call a vet or poison control right away.

K Flowers Grouped by Color

Pink and rose tones run through Kwanzan cherry, kolkwitzia, king protea, kachnar, and Korean rhododendron. Kwanzan cherry and kolkwitzia give the biggest show, since the whole plant fills with blooms. King protea brings pink on a giant, sculptural scale. Kachnar adds pink and purple to warm South Asian streets and gardens.

Yellow and gold bring warmth. Kerria, kirengeshoma, kingcup, King Alfred daffodil, and Koelreuteria all glow in sun or light shade. King Alfred daffodil and kingcup arrive in early spring. Kerria lights up shaded corners, and Koelreuteria carries gold into summer.

Red and orange accents come from kniphofia, kangaroo paw, knautia, kakabeak, and kalanchoe. Kniphofia and kangaroo paw are the bold, tropical-looking pair. Knautia gives a darker, wine-red note. Kalanchoe brings red indoors through winter.

White and cream flowers include kousa dogwood, Korean spice viburnum, kanuka, kamahi, and kumquat blossom. White brightens shade and glows at dusk. Kousa dogwood and Korean spice viburnum are the best choices for spring and early summer scent and elegance.

Purple, blue, and lilac are the cool side of K. Korean mint, Kansas gayfeather, Korean lilac, Korean bellflower, and kurinji all bring these shades. Korean mint and Kansas gayfeather suit pollinator beds. Kurinji is the rare, dramatic showpiece of the group.

Life-Cycle Groupings for K Flowers

A plant’s life cycle tells you how much work to expect. Annuals live one season, so you replant each 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
Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate	Annual	All zones (seasonal)
Kansas Gayfeather	Perennial	3–9
Knautia	Perennial	5–9
Kniphofia	Perennial	5–9
Kirengeshoma	Perennial	5–8
Korean Mint	Perennial	4–9
Kingcup	Perennial	3–7
Knapweed	Perennial	3–8
Kenilworth Ivy	Perennial	4–9
King Alfred Daffodil	Perennial (bulb)	3–9
Kaufmanniana Tulip	Perennial (bulb)	3–8
Kangaroo Paw	Tender perennial	9–11
Kalanchoe	Tender perennial (houseplant)	10–12 (indoors elsewhere)
Kahili Ginger	Tender perennial	8–11
Kerria	Perennial (shrub)	4–9
Kolkwitzia	Perennial (shrub)	4–8
Korean Spice Viburnum	Perennial (shrub)	4–7
Kurume Azalea	Perennial (shrub)	6–9
Kalmia	Perennial (shrub)	5–9
Kousa Dogwood	Perennial (tree)	5–8
Kwanzan Cherry	Perennial (tree)	5–9
King Protea	Tender perennial (shrub)	9–11
Kachnar	Tender perennial (tree)	9–11

Kniphofia and kangaroo paw are the two to watch. Many gardeners expect both to survive cold, wet winters. In truth, kniphofia rots in soggy soil, and kangaroo paw only lives outdoors in warm zones. Both need sharp drainage, and kangaroo paw does best in a pot in cooler climates.

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
Kangaroo Paw	Anigozanthos flavidus
Kerria	Kerria japonica
Kniphofia	Kniphofia uvaria
Knautia	Knautia macedonica
Kousa Dogwood	Cornus kousa
Kwanzan Cherry	Prunus ‘Kanzan’
Korean Spice Viburnum	Viburnum carlesii
Korean Mint	Agastache rugosa
Kalanchoe	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
King Protea	Protea cynaroides
Kachnar	Bauhinia variegata
Kaner	Nerium oleander
Kalmia	Kalmia latifolia
Kurinji	Strobilanthes kunthiana
Kingcup	Caltha palustris

Kaner shows why this matters. In Urdu and Hindi, kaner is the common name for oleander, one of the most poisonous garden plants. Also, do not confuse kingcup with true buttercups or with marsh marigold sold under another name. Kingcup and marsh marigold are the same plant, Caltha palustris, and it is toxic.

What K Flowers Mean

Flower meanings vary by culture, but a good number of K flowers carry steady symbolism. The king protea is the national flower of South Africa, and it stands for strength, diversity, and transformation. Kangaroo paw is the floral emblem of Western Australia and stands for the wild beauty of that region. Kōwhai is closely tied to spring in New Zealand, and its golden bells signal that winter is over.

Kiku, the Japanese chrysanthemum, is the emblem of the emperor of Japan and stands for long life and nobility. Kwanzan cherry shares the wider cherry blossom message of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. Kalanchoe stands for lasting affection, which suits a plant that blooms for weeks and weeks.

Kurinji carries a deep cultural meaning in southern India. Its twelve-year bloom marks the passage of time, and some local communities have counted their ages by it. Kadupul is treasured in Sri Lanka because it opens for only one night and cannot be sold, since it fades by morning.

In South Asia, kewra and kachnar are tied to food and festivals. Kewra water flavors sweets and drinks, and kachnar buds are cooked as a vegetable. Kaner, the oleander, carries a warning in Victorian flower language, where it meant caution. Match the flower to your message, and remember that the same bloom can mean something different in another culture.

Decision Table: Which K 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 K flower for it. Then check the toxicity section if you have pets or children.

If You Want…	Choose This K Flower
Hot color for a sunny bed	Kniphofia or Kangaroo Paw
Color in part shade	Kerria or Kirengeshoma
Butterfly and bee support	Kansas Gayfeather, Korean Mint, or Knautia
Fragrance in spring	Korean Spice Viburnum or Korean Lilac
A flowering tree	Kwanzan Cherry or Kousa Dogwood
An easy houseplant with blooms	Kalanchoe
Dramatic cut flowers	King Protea or Kangaroo Paw
A wet-soil or pond edge flower	Kingcup
Very early spring color	Kaufmanniana Tulip or Korean Rhododendron
A pet-friendlier garden	Kangaroo Paw, King Protea, or Kerria (all absent from this guide’s toxic list)

Kangaroo paw appears twice because it is showy, easy in the right climate, and not on the toxic list in this guide. King protea is a good partner for it in a warm, sunny bed. Always double-check any plant with your vet if a pet is likely to chew it.

Conclusion

Flowers that start with K offer a very wide choice, from the glowing kniphofia to the rare kurinji. This guide sorted 72 of them by color, life cycle, and use, so you can pick with confidence. Whether you want a sunny hummingbird border, a fragrant spring shrub, or an easy winter houseplant, there is a K flower that fits. Use the tables above, read the toxicity notes, and start planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flowers start with K?

More than 70 well-known flowers start with K. This guide lists 72, from common garden plants to rare tropical trees and wildflowers.

What is the most popular flower that starts with K?

Kniphofia, kerria, kangaroo paw, kousa dogwood, and kalanchoe are among the most popular. King protea is the most famous rare showpiece.

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

Kalanchoe, kerria, knautia, and Kansas gayfeather are very easy. King Alfred daffodil is an easy bulb for early spring.

Which K flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds?

Kansas gayfeather, knautia, and Korean mint draw butterflies and bees. Kniphofia, Korean mint, and kakabeak draw hummingbirds or nectar birds.

Is oleander (kaner) poisonous?

Yes. Kaner, or oleander, is one of the most poisonous garden plants. Every part can affect the heart, and even dried leaves are dangerous.

Which K flower is the most dangerous?

Kaner (oleander) and kalmia (mountain laurel) are the most dangerous. Both can cause severe poisoning in people, pets, and livestock.

What is kachnar?

Kachnar is Bauhinia variegata, a tree with orchid-like pink and purple blooms. In South Asia, the buds and flowers are cooked and eaten.

What is kewra used for?

Kewra, from Pandanus odorifer, produces a strongly scented water and essence. It flavors sweets, rice dishes, and drinks across South Asia.

What does king protea symbolize?

King protea is the national flower of South Africa. It stands for strength, diversity, and change.

Which K flowers bloom in very early spring?

Kaufmanniana tulip, Korean rhododendron, Korean forsythia, and kingcup bloom early. King Alfred daffodil follows soon after.