30 flowers that start with L: list with pictures
If you’ve ever explored the world of flowers and noticed how many lovely blooms share the same starting letter, you’ll know it’s a delightful rabbit hole to fall into. Today we’re exploring flowers that start with L, and there are far more than you might think!
From delicate woodland blooms like lily of the valley to bold, showy flowers like Lupins, the letter L brings us a wonderful mix of perennial flowers, ornamental plants, fragrant herbs, and even aquatic plants. Many of these beauties thrive in well-drained soil, some prefer moist soil, while others happily bask in full sun or cope with partial shade.
As gardeners and flower lovers, expanding our knowledge of flowers is always a joy, and discovering different flowers is a great way to find new plants for borders, rock gardens, ponds, or containers. Some of these blooms also carry fascinating symbolic significance, cultural meaning dating back to ancient times, or even medicinal properties used in traditional medicine.
List of flowers that start with L
Here are 30 beautiful flowers beginning with L, shared in alphabetical order with their Latin names and symbolism.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla)
Known for its soft feathery foliage and sprays of tiny yellow flowers, lady’s mantle is a charming perennial plant often used as ground cover in borders and rock gardens.
Symbolism: Comfort and protection.
Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium)
A rare and exotic bloom, the lady’s slipper orchid has pouch-shaped flowers and thrives in woodland settings with moist soil and partial shade.
Symbolism: Beauty and uniqueness.
Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana)
The elegant lady tulip produces delicate, star-shaped blooms with thin petals in white and pink. Native to southwest Asia, it blooms in early spring.
Symbolism: Grace and elegance.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
A cheerful flowering shrub native to South America, Central America, and parts of North America, Lantana camara is adored for its clusters of vibrant flowers that often appear in various colours (yellows, oranges, pinks and reds) all on the same plant. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a popular choice in warm gardens.
Symbolism: Lantana symbolises rigour and resilience, thanks to its hardy nature and long-lasting blooms.
Larkspur (Delphinium)
A favourite in cottage gardens, larkspur features tall stems of colourful blossoms in blues, pinks and purples. These beautiful blooms are often grown as cut flowers.
Symbolism: Lightness and positivity.
Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Better known as bay laurel, this evergreen shrub or small tree is famous for its culinary laurel leaves. It also produces small yellow flowers in spring.
Symbolism: Victory and honour.
Lavender (Lavandula)
One of the most recognisable aromatic flowers, lavender is a perennial herb from the Mediterranean region with silvery aromatic leaves and fragrant purple flowers. It loves well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. Lavender is widely used for essential oils, herbal remedies, and even culinary uses.
Symbolism: Calmness, purity, and devotion.
Lechenaultia (Lechenaultia)
Native to Australia, this plant produces striking vibrant blue flowers and thrives in well-drained soil and sunny conditions.
Symbolism: Freedom and creativity.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
A perennial plant often grown in herb gardens, lemon balm produces small white flowers and citrus-scented leaves. Native to southern Europe and southwest Asia, it thrives in moist soil and partial shade. Traditionally valued for its soothing medicinal properties, it’s a lovely addition to any cottage garden.
Symbolism: Healing and renewal.
Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus)
Another delightful perennial herb, lemon thyme features tiny pink flowers and beautifully scented foliage. This low-maintenance plant enjoys full sun and well-drained soil, and its leaves are often used in cooking.
Symbolism: Courage and strength.
Leptospermum (Leptospermum scoparium)
Often called the tea tree, this evergreen shrub bears delicate white or pink flowers and aromatic foliage. It’s valued for both its ornamental value and essential oil production.
Symbolism: Healing and protection.
Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)
Often appearing in early spring, lesser celandine carpets woodland floors with shiny yellow flowers and glossy leaves. Native to Europe and parts of North Africa, it prefers moist soil and shady spots.
Symbolism: Joy and returning sunshine.
Leucanthemum (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Commonly known as the oxeye daisy, this plant bears cheerful daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centres. It thrives in sunny meadows and well-drained soil.
Symbolism: Innocence and simplicity.
Liatris (Liatris spicata)
Sometimes called blazing star, this perennial plant from North America grows tall spikes of purple blooms that butterflies adore.
Symbolism: Happiness and bliss.
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Lilac is a much-loved flowering plant famous for its clusters of wonderfully fragrant flowers that bloom in early spring. Native to southern Europe, lilacs produce showy flowers in soft purples, pinks and white, adding beautiful colour and scent to garden borders.
Symbolism: First love, youthful innocence, and the joy of spring.
Lily (Lilium)
True lilies are among the most elegant ornamental plants, producing large showy blooms in a variety of colours including white, pink, orange and red. Many varieties thrive in well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade, making them a great addition to summer borders.
Symbolism: Purity, renewal and motherhood.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
This woodland favourite produces delicate bell-shaped flowers and wonderfully fragrant flowers in early spring. Lily of the valley forms a lovely ground cover in shady areas with moist soil.
Symbolism: Humility, sweetness, and the return of happiness.
Linaria (Linaria vulgaris)
Also known as toadflax, linaria produces delicate spires of yellow flowers with orange centres. It’s a hardy plant often seen growing in the wild across Europe.
Symbolism: Protection.
Linnaea (Linnaea borealis)
Also known as twinflower, Linnaea is a delicate woodland ground cover plant found across cooler regions of North America and northern Europe. It produces tiny bell-shaped flowers in soft pink flowers during early summer. This charming perennial plant prefers partial shade and moist soil, making it perfect for natural woodland gardens.
Symbolism: Modesty, devotion, and quiet beauty.
Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)
Originally from North America, lisianthus produces elegant rose-like showy flowers in various colours. These are highly prized in floral arrangements due to their long-lasting blooms.
Symbolism: Appreciation and gratitude.
Lithodora (Lithodora diffusa)
Native to southern Europe and parts of the Mediterranean region, this spreading perennial plant forms a dense ground cover with masses of striking star-shaped blue blooms in late spring and early summer. Its compact growth habit also makes it an excellent choice for edging paths, planting in containers, or filling gaps between other perennial flowers.
Symbolism: Admiration, calmness, and enduring beauty.
Lobelia (Lobelia)
A lovely trailing plant for containers and hanging baskets, lobelia features masses of tiny vibrant flowers in blues, purples and whites.
Symbolism: Benevolence and goodwill.
Lonicera (Lonicera periclymenum)
Commonly known as honeysuckle, this climbing plant produces sweetly fragrant flowers that attract pollinators throughout early summer.
Symbolism: Devotion and affection.
Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Often spotted growing in wetland areas, loosestrife is a striking perennial plant known for its tall stems of purple flowers that bloom throughout early summer. Native to Europe and parts of North America, it thrives in moist soil and near ponds or streams.
Symbolism: Passion, perseverance, and strength.
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
The iconic lotus flower grows among aquatic plants and lotus plants in ponds and still water. With elegant thin petals and large leaves, it’s one of the most spiritually meaningful flowers in the world.
Symbolism: Purity, enlightenment, and rebirth.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
A tall, leafy perennial herb that has been grown since ancient times for both culinary uses and herbal remedies. Native to southern Europe and southwest Asia, this hardy plant thrives in moist soil and partial shade. It produces small clusters of yellow flowers in early summer.
Symbolism: Love and devotion.
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena)
Love-in-a-mist is adored for its delicate thin petals surrounded by feathery foliage that creates the “mist” effect. Native to the Mediterranean region, it produces charming blue flowers, though pink and white varieties exist too. It grows best in full sun and well-draining soil.
Symbolism: Love, mystery, and harmony.
Love Lies Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)
An unforgettable plant with cascading crimson tassels, love lies bleeding produces striking showy blooms. Native to South America, it’s often grown for dramatic cut flowers.
Symbolism: Deep love and devotion.
Lupin (Lupinus)
Loved for their dramatic tall spikes and vibrant colours, lupins bring height and structure to cottage gardens. These perennial flowers grow happily in well-drained soil and full sun.
Symbolism: Imagination and admiration.
Lythrum (Lythrum salicaria)
Also called purple loosestrife, this striking plant produces tall spikes of purple flowers and thrives in moist soil near ponds or wetlands.
Symbolism: Passion and persistence.
What are your favourite flowers that start with L?
As you can see, the names of flowers beginning with the letter L are wonderfully varied. Exploring flowers that begin with L is a great way to expand your planting palette and bring more colourful flowers, fragrance, and ornamental value into your garden. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant, a bold statement bloom, or something delicate and lovely for early spring, there’s an amazing plant on this list for every gardener.
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