75+ Beautiful Flowers That Start With N: Names, Full Guide & Photos

Quick Answer: Flowers That Start With N are Narcissus, the most recognizable N flowers are Nasturtium, Nemesia, Nigella, Nicotiana, Nerine, Nymphaea, and Nepeta. Nasturtium is a go-to for edible gardens, Nymphaea is the standard water lily for ponds, Nicotiana brings evening fragrance to patios, and Nepeta is one of the most dependable pollinator perennials you can plant.

Flowers beginning with N cover an unusually wide range of growing styles, spring bulbs, easy seed-grown annuals, fragrant evening bloomers, pond and bog plants, native wildflowers, and specialty orchids. Because so many of these names double up between common names and botanical names (Narcissus/daffodil, Nymphaea/water lily, Nasturtium/Tropaeolum), a clean N list has to be careful not to count the same plant twice.

What Is the Most Popular Flower That Starts With N?

Narcissus is the clear answer. It’s the botanical name behind daffodils, one of the most widely planted spring bulbs in the world, and it returns reliably year after year in beds, naturalized lawns, and containers.

75 Flower Names Starting With N: At a Glance

#	Flower Name	Botanical Name	Type	Main Colors	Best Use
1	Narcissus	Narcissus spp.	Bulb perennial	Yellow, white, orange	Spring borders, pots, cut flowers
2	Nasturtium	Tropaeolum majus	Annual	Orange, red, yellow, cream	Containers, edging, edible gardens
3	Nemesia	Nemesia spp.	Annual/tender perennial	Pink, purple, white, yellow	Pots, window boxes
4	Nemophila	Nemophila menziesii	Annual	Blue, white	Spring edging, wildflower planting
5	Nicotiana	Nicotiana spp.	Annual/tender perennial	White, pink, lime, red	Evening fragrance, borders
6	Nigella	Nigella damascena	Annual	Blue, white, pink	Cottage gardens, seed pods
7	Nierembergia	Nierembergia spp.	Tender perennial	White, blue, lavender	Edging, containers
8	Nerine	Nerine bowdenii	Bulb perennial	Pink, red, white	Late color, cut flowers
9	Neapolitan Garlic	Allium neapolitanum	Bulb perennial	White	Natural planting
10	Neomarica	Neomarica spp.	Rhizomatous perennial	White, blue, purple	Warm patios, shade pots
11	Nolana	Nolana spp.	Annual	Blue, violet, white	Dry gardens, trailing pots
12	Nothoscordum	Nothoscordum spp.	Bulb perennial	White, yellow	Naturalized bulb planting
13	Nodding Onion	Allium cernuum	Perennial	Pink, mauve	Native gardens, pollinators
14	Nodding Ladies’ Tresses	Spiranthes spp.	Orchid	White	Naturalistic planting
15	Northern Blue Flag	Iris versicolor	Perennial	Blue, violet	Wet soil, pond edges
16	Nuphar	Nuphar spp.	Aquatic perennial	Yellow	Ponds, water gardens
17	Nymphaea	Nymphaea spp.	Aquatic perennial	White, pink, red, yellow, blue	Water gardens
18	Night Blooming Cereus	Epiphyllum/Selenicereus spp.	Cactus	White	Night bloom, containers
19	Night Phlox	Zaluzianskya capensis	Annual/tender perennial	White, dark reverse	Evening scent, patios
20	Natal Lily	Clivia miniata	Perennial	Orange, yellow, cream	Shade pots, patios
21	Nettle-leaved Bellflower	Campanula trachelium	Perennial	Purple, blue	Cottage borders
22	New England Aster	Symphyotrichum novae-angliae	Perennial	Purple, pink	Pollinator gardens
23	New York Aster	Symphyotrichum novi-belgii	Perennial	Purple, pink, lavender	Borders, pollinators
24	New Guinea Impatiens	Impatiens hawkeri	Tender perennial	Pink, red, white, orange	Shade pots, patio color
25	Nepeta	Nepeta spp.	Perennial	Blue, lavender, purple	Pollinator beds
26	Nyctanthes	Nyctanthes arbor-tristis	Flowering tree	White, orange center	Fragrance, warm gardens
27	New York Ironweed	Vernonia noveboracensis	Perennial	Purple	Native planting, rain gardens
28	Nodding Wakerobin	Trillium flexipes	Woodland perennial	White, cream, pink	Woodland gardens
29	Nelumbo	Nelumbo nucifera	Aquatic perennial	Pink, white	Ponds, large water tubs
30	Nerium	Nerium oleander	Flowering shrub	Pink, white, red, yellow	Warm climate hedges
31	Night-flowering Catchfly	Silene noctiflora	Annual/biennial	White, pale pink	Wildflower interest
32	Night-scented Stock	Matthiola longipetala	Annual	Lilac, pink, white	Evening scent, pots
33	Nymphoides	Nymphoides spp.	Aquatic perennial	Yellow, white	Small ponds, water bowls
34	Navarretia	Navarretia spp.	Wildflower	Blue, purple, white	Native wildflower planting
35	Nemastylis	Nemastylis spp.	Bulb/corm perennial	Blue, violet	Prairie gardens
36	Nuttallanthus	Nuttallanthus canadensis	Wildflower	Blue, violet	Meadow planting
37	Narthecium	Narthecium spp.	Bog perennial	Yellow	Wetland gardens
38	Nectaroscordum	Nectaroscordum siculum	Bulb perennial	Cream, pink, green	Cottage borders
39	Nematanthus	Nematanthus spp.	Tender perennial	Orange, red, yellow	Hanging pots
40	Neotinea	Neotinea spp.	Orchid	Pink, purple, white	Orchid collections
41	Neottia	Neottia spp.	Orchid	Green, brown, white	Woodland orchid interest
42	Notylia Orchid	Notylia spp.	Orchid	White, green, yellow	Orchid collections
43	Napeanthus	Napeanthus spp.	Tropical flowering plant	White, purple	Specialty collections
44	Nama	Nama spp.	Wildflower	Purple, blue, pink, white	Dry wildflower planting
45	Nassauvia	Nassauvia spp.	Daisy family	White, pink, purple	Alpine/specialty gardens
46	Nabalus	Nabalus spp.	Wildflower	White, cream, pink	Native meadow planting
47	Nicandra	Nicandra physalodes	Annual	Blue, violet, white	Ornamental beds
48	Nuytsia	Nuytsia floribunda	Flowering tree	Orange, yellow	Warm climate feature tree
49	Nyctaginia	Nyctaginia capitata	Wildflower	Pink, purple	Dry gardens
50	Nyctocalos	Nyctocalos brunfelsiiflorus	Flowering vine	White, cream	Tropical vine display
51	Naked Lady Lily	Amaryllis belladonna	Bulb perennial	Pink, white	Dry borders, bulb beds
52	Noble Dendrobium	Dendrobium nobile	Orchid	White, pink, purple, yellow	Indoor orchid displays
53	New Zealand Tea Tree	Leptospermum scoparium	Flowering shrub	White, pink, red	Shrub borders, bees
54	New Zealand Rock Lily	Arthropodium cirratum	Perennial	White	Coastal gardens
55	New Zealand Christmas Bush	Metrosideros excelsa	Flowering tree	Red	Coastal warm gardens
56	Nodding Catchfly	Silene nutans	Perennial	White, pale pink	Wildflower gardens
57	Nodding Bur Marigold	Bidens cernua	Annual	Yellow	Wet soil, pond margins
58	Nodding Thistle	Carduus nutans	Biennial	Purple	Wildlife areas
59	Nodding Blue Lily	Stypandra glauca	Perennial	Blue, violet	Dry gardens, native planting
60	Narrowleaf Coneflower	Echinacea angustifolia	Perennial	Pink, purple	Prairie planting
61	Narrowleaf Sunflower	Helianthus angustifolius	Perennial	Yellow	Native borders
62	Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass	Sisyrinchium angustifolium	Perennial	Blue, violet	Edging, meadow gardens
63	Narrowleaf Evening Primrose	Oenothera fruticosa	Perennial	Yellow	Sunny borders
64	Nuttall’s Larkspur	Delphinium nuttallianum	Perennial wildflower	Blue, purple	Native wildflower planting
65	Nuttall’s Sunflower	Helianthus nuttallii	Perennial	Yellow	Meadow planting
66	Nolina	Nolina spp.	Perennial with flower spikes	Cream, white	Dry gardens, structural bloom
67	Neoregelia	Neoregelia spp.	Bromeliad	Purple center flower, colorful bracts	Tropical containers
68	Nasturtium Vine (Canary Creeper)	Tropaeolum peregrinum	Annual vine	Yellow	Trellises, fences
69	Nun’s Orchid	Phaius tankervilleae	Orchid	Brown, white, purple	Shade gardens, warm climates
70	Nakedwood Flower	Myrcianthes fragrans	Flowering shrub/tree	White	Fragrant hedges, warm gardens
71	Netted Iris	Iris reticulata	Bulb perennial	Purple, blue	Early spring rock gardens
72	Nootka Rose	Rosa nutkana	Native flowering shrub	Pink	Native hedgerows, wildlife gardens
73	Numbat Bush	Eremophila glabra	Flowering shrub	Yellow, orange, red	Dry native Australian gardens
74	Norfolk Island Hibiscus	Lagunaria patersonia	Flowering tree	Pink	Coastal landscape trees
75	Nootka Lupine	Lupinus nootkatensis	Perennial wildflower	Blue, purple	Native and coastal meadow planting

What Counts as a Flower Starting With N?

A flower earns a spot on this list if its common name or botanical name begins with N and the plant is clearly grown, sold, or discussed for its blooms,garden flowers, bulbs, annuals, perennials, aquatic plants, orchids, flowering vines, shrubs, trees, and wildflowers all qualify.

Simply starting with N isn’t enough. The bloom itself needs to matter, through color, fragrance, shape, pollinator value, or genuine botanical interest for an entry to belong on a flower-first list rather than a general plant list.

Types of Flowers That Start With N

Sorting the N group by growth habit makes the list far easier to act on, since a pond plant, an orchid, and a dry-climate wildflower all need completely different care.

Bulb flowers: Narcissus, Nerine, Naked Lady Lily, Neapolitan Garlic, Nothoscordum, Nectaroscordum, Nemastylis, Netted Iris.

Annual flowers: Nasturtium, Nemophila, Nigella, Nolana, Night Phlox, Night-scented Stock, Nicandra, Night-flowering Catchfly, Canary Creeper.

Perennial flowers: Nepeta, Northern Blue Flag, New England Aster, New York Aster, Nodding Onion, Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Narrowleaf Coneflower, Narrowleaf Sunflower, Narrowleaf Evening Primrose.

Aquatic flowers: Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nuphar, and Nymphoides — all suited to ponds, tubs, or wet margins rather than ordinary dry soil.

Orchids: Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, Neotinea, Neottia, Notylia Orchid, Noble Dendrobium, Nun’s Orchid.

Flowering shrubs and trees: Nerium, Nyctanthes, New Zealand Tea Tree, New Zealand Christmas Bush, Nuytsia, Nootka Rose, Norfolk Island Hibiscus.

Wildflowers: Navarretia, Nuttallanthus, Nama, Nabalus, Nodding Catchfly, Nodding Bur Marigold, Nodding Thistle, Nuttall’s Larkspur, Nuttall’s Sunflower, Nootka Lupine.

For similar type-by-type sorting on a different letter, see flowers that start with C.

Plants vs. Flowers That Begin With N

Not every N-named plant belongs on a flower-focused list. Some are grown mainly for foliage, structure, or general landscaping rather than bloom.

Strong flower-first entries include Narcissus, Nasturtium, Nemesia, Nigella, Nicotiana, Nymphaea, Nepeta, Nerine, and Northern Blue Flag, all widely grown or recognized specifically for their flowers.

Broader plant names like Nandina, New Zealand Flax, Nephrolepis (Boston fern), and stinging nettle shouldn’t be padded onto a flower count just to raise the number, they’re valid plants, but weak matches for a flower-first list. Flowering shrubs and trees like Nerium, New Zealand Tea Tree, New Zealand Christmas Bush, Nyctanthes, and Nuytsia still qualify because their blooms are a defining feature, not an afterthought.

How This List Was Curated

These 75 flowers were chosen for bloom value, garden use, wildflower relevance, fragrance, color range, aquatic and orchid interest, and genuine name fit. Duplicate names were removed so no plant is counted twice under both a common and botanical label.

Narcissus is not repeated as “daffodil.” Nymphaea is not repeated as “water lily.” Nelumbo is kept separate from Nymphaea because lotus and water lily are different genera and different garden uses. Night Phlox and Night-scented Stock are also kept as separate entries since they’re different plants entirely.

Common Flowers That Start With N in the Garden

Common N flowers are the ones you’ll actually find at a garden center: easy to recognize, widely available, and simple to place in an ordinary design.

Narcissus is the strongest spring bulb choice. Nasturtium is the easiest edible annual. Nemesia and New Guinea Impatiens both perform well in containers. Nigella brings cottage-garden charm from seed. Nicotiana adds evening scent to a patio bed. Nepeta and the fall asters are dependable, long-blooming perennials.

These familiar names are better starting points than rare orchids, pond plants, or habitat-specific wildflowers, simply because they’re easier to source and easier to place. For more everyday choices on a different letter, browse flowers that start with S.

Rare Flowers Beginning With N

Rare N flowers are less likely to show up at a standard garden center, some are wildflowers, some are orchids, and some are regional plants that need specific sourcing.

Good rare examples: Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, Navarretia, Nemastylis, Napeanthus, Nuytsia, Nyctocalos, Nuttallanthus, Nassauvia, Neotinea, Neottia, Notylia Orchid, and Nun’s Orchid.

Rare doesn’t necessarily mean difficult it usually just means less familiar, less commercially available, or more closely tied to a native habitat, orchid culture, bog condition, or warm-climate setting than the average bedding flower.

Purple Flowers That Start With N

Purple and blue tones are especially strong across the N group, making this letter a good source of cool-toned color for cottage borders, pollinator beds, and meadow plantings.

Reach for Nemesia in pots, Nigella for cottage style, Nepeta for the longest bloom window, Northern Blue Flag for damp soil, New England Aster for fall color, New York Ironweed for tall native structure, Netted Iris for early spring rock gardens, and Nuttall’s Larkspur for wildflower interest.

For a small space, stay compact with Nemesia or Nepeta. For a larger naturalized planting, taller choices like New York Ironweed, New England Aster, and Nootka Lupine carry more presence, just confirm local guidance before introducing spreading species like Nodding Thistle.

Perennials That Start With N

Perennial N flowers return from bulbs, rhizomes, crowns, roots, or aquatic root systems, which makes them the better choice when you want repeat bloom instead of yearly replanting.

Narcissus and Nerine return from bulbs. Nepeta, Nettle-leaved Bellflower, New England Aster, and New York Aster return as reliable border perennials. Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nuphar, and Nymphoides are the perennial picks for water gardens. Narrowleaf Coneflower, Narrowleaf Sunflower, and Narrowleaf Evening Primrose suit open, sunny, naturalistic planting.

Care needs vary by type, a pond flower needs water depth and sun, a woodland flower needs shade and leaf-rich soil, and a prairie flower generally wants open sun with sharp drainage.

Annual Flowers That Start With N

Annual N flowers deliver fast color in beds, containers, and seasonal displays. Some finish their life cycle in a single season; others are tender perennials commonly grown as annuals in colder climates.

Nasturtium, Nemophila, Nigella, Nolana, Night Phlox, Night-scented Stock, Nicandra, and Night-flowering Catchfly are the strongest annual picks. Nemesia and Nicotiana can also be grown as annuals in most climates.

Nasturtium and Nigella are the easiest from seed. Night-scented Stock and Night Phlox are chosen more for evening fragrance than for bold flower size, so plant them where you’ll actually smell them.

Indoor or Protected Space Picks

Several N flowers can work indoors or in protected containers, provided light, airflow, temperature, and watering are dialed in.

Forced Narcissus bulbs are the clearest indoor option for seasonal bloom. Natal Lily can flower well in bright, protected conditions. Nematanthus is a strong pick for hanging pots. Noble Dendrobium suits an indoor orchid display, and Night Blooming Cereus rewards patient container growers with its dramatic after-dark flowers.

Not every N flower belongs indoors, meadow wildflowers, pond plants, and tall native perennials generally do far better outside, where light, soil, and space match their natural growth habit.

Fragrant N Flowers

Nicotiana is one of the standout scented choices in this group, especially once evening falls, many varieties release fragrance later in the day, making them ideal near patios, doors, windows, and seating areas.

Night Phlox and Night-scented Stock are also strong evening-scent picks. Nyctanthes adds fragrant white flowers with orange centers in warm climates. Some Narcissus varieties carry scent as well, though this varies significantly by cultivar.

For the best effect, plant fragrant flowers close to where people actually pass or sit, a scented plant tucked at the back of the garden tends to go unnoticed.

Beginner Friendly Choices

The best beginner N flowers are forgiving, widely available, and reliable without demanding special care. Nasturtium, Narcissus, Nigella, Nemophila, Nemesia, Nepeta, New Guinea Impatiens, and Narrowleaf Coneflower are all solid starting points.

Nasturtium and Nigella are simple from seed. Narcissus takes almost no ongoing effort once bulbs are planted at the right time. Nepeta tolerates a wide range of sunny conditions and blooms for an unusually long stretch with minimal care.

Beginners should be more cautious with rare orchids, Nerium (which is toxic), specialty aquatic plants, and sensitive wildflowers that may need specific conditions or responsible sourcing.

How to Use This List in Garden Planning

Garden Goal	Best N Flower Choices	Best Fit
Spring color	Narcissus, Nemophila, Neapolitan Garlic, Netted Iris	Early borders, pots, light meadow planting
Easy seed growing	Nasturtium, Nigella, Nemophila	Beginners, containers, seasonal beds
Evening fragrance	Nicotiana, Night Phlox, Night-scented Stock	Patios, windows, seating areas
Water gardens	Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nuphar, Nymphoides	Ponds, tubs, aquatic planting
Purple pollinator planting	Nepeta, New England Aster, New York Ironweed	Sunny borders, native beds, late color
Shade or protected pots	Natal Lily, New Guinea Impatiens, Neomarica	Patios, bright shade, containers
Rare flower interest	Navarretia, Nemastylis, Napeanthus, Nuytsia	Specialty gardens, plant collections
Coastal and wildlife planting	Nootka Rose, Nootka Lupine, New Zealand Christmas Bush	Hedgerows, coastal gardens

For a small balcony, keep it compact with Nasturtium, Nemesia, New Guinea Impatiens, or Nematanthus. For a wildlife-friendly patch, lean on Nepeta, Nodding Onion, New England Aster, New York Ironweed, and Narrowleaf Sunflower. For ponds, stick to true aquatic flowers, Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nuphar, and Nymphoides.

Container and Small Space Picks

Nasturtium is one of the single most useful N flowers for pots and balconies, it trails well, grows easily from seed, and works in both ornamental and edible displays. Nemesia and Nierembergia give a tidier front-of-pot look, while New Guinea Impatiens is the stronger pick for bright shade. For protected patios, Natal Lily and Nematanthus also fit well since both stay compact and manageable.

Pollinator Friendly and Meadow Picks

Nepeta is the most reliable pollinator plant in the N group, it blooms freely in sunny borders with very little upkeep. New England Aster, New York Aster, New York Ironweed, Narrowleaf Coneflower, and Narrowleaf Sunflower suit meadow-style or native planting, extending color and insect activity later into the season. Nodding Onion is a good choice for smaller wildlife-friendly spaces since it adds flower value without overwhelming the border.

Cut Flower and Bouquet Favorites

The N group isn’t as bouquet-heavy as some other letters, but Narcissus and Nerine both stand out. Narcissus gives clean, recognizable spring stems for simple arrangements, while Nerine brings a finer, late-season look with good movement. Neapolitan Garlic can also add a softer, starry filler effect to looser, garden-picked bouquets.

Water and Pond Flower Picks

Water gardening is one of the clearest strengths of the N group. Nymphaea is the classic water lily for still ponds, while Nelumbo delivers a bolder lotus presence where there’s enough warmth and space. Nuphar suits larger ponds, and Nymphoides works better in smaller water gardens or containers. For wet margins rather than open water, Northern Blue Flag and Nodding Bur Marigold are the stronger edge-planting choices.

Final Thoughts

Flowers that start with N offer far more range than a simple alphabet list suggests, easy annuals like Nasturtium and Nigella, dependable bulbs like Narcissus and Nerine, fragrant evening bloomers like Nicotiana and Night-scented Stock, and aquatic standouts like Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nuphar, and Nymphoides.

The most practical approach is to choose by garden need rather than by name alone: Narcissus for spring color, Nasturtium for easy seed growing, Nepeta for pollinators, New Guinea Impatiens for shade pots, and Nymphaea or Nelumbo for water features. Rarer entries like Navarretia, Nemastylis, Napeanthus, and Nuytsia are worth exploring once the basics are covered and your growing conditions match their needs.

FAQs

References

• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Narcissus, Nepeta, Nicotiana growing profiles
• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) — Plant selection guides for bulbs, annuals, and perennials
• North Carolina State University Extension — Poisonous Plants database (Nerium oleander)
• USDA PLANTS Database — Native species records for Nodding Onion, Nuttall’s Larkspur, and Narrowleaf species
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Native plant profiles for Nabalus, Navarretia, and New England Aster
• American Orchid Society — Growing guides for Dendrobium, Neotinea, and Spiranthes