Playing categories can be incredibly fun. That’s all until you have to name flowers that start with x. Your brain draws a blank, and after a moment of thought, you skip to the next category. Well, this article will help you fix that!
There are over 30 flowers that start with x, and that’s when only looking at species’ names. That includes flowers like Xeranthemums. However, going by the scientific name, there are hundreds. This is because hybrid plants get an x-prefix to help identify them. For example, the flower x Fatshedera lizei.
So, if you want to win your next category game or to grow an alphabetical garden, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into our list of flowers that start with x.
Xeranthemum
- Common name: Everlasting Plant
- Colors: Purple and pink
- Size: 12 to 24 inches
- Sunlight: Full sunlight
- Moisture level: Well-drained
- Special properties: Some antioxidant properties
The name Xeranthemum has Greek origins. If we break it up, we find that the first half of the word ‘xeros’ means dry in Greek, and ‘anthemon’ means flower. So, the full name translates to dry flower.
This name comes from the fact that Xeranthemums don’t need a lot of water to grow. They prefer dry environments with low humidity.
Xeranthemums are relatives of the sunflower. However, Xeranthemums are much smaller. They have tall stems that can grow up to 24 inches, but the flower at the end is small.
There are two shades of Xeranthemum, a pale purple and soft pink. These flowers bloom annually in late summer or early fall. The blooms don’t last a long time, but they also don’t lose their color when they dry out. This makes these flowers perfect for dried bouquets.
Xanthosoma sagittifolium
- Common name: Tannia Cocoyam
- Colors: White, purple, and variations of green
- Size: 24 to 48 inches
- Sunlight: Partial or complete shade
- Moisture level: High moisture
- Special properties: Edible
This is another plant with a Greek name. The word ‘Xanthos’ means yellow, and ‘soma’ means body. Even though the petals of this flower are rarely yellow, the inner tissue of the plant is. That’s why ‘yellow body’ makes the perfect name for this plant.
The Xanthosoma petal grows in a boat shape around the stem. These petals can be a few different colors. The most common petals are white, but you can also have a few green shades and an exotic purple.
Xanthosoma sagittifolium is an excellent house plant. You can grow this flower both in and outdoors. All you need is a little sunlight and plenty of water.
Not only does this flower look good, but it’s also edible. You can boil the flower and eat it. It’s not flavorful, but the plant can fill you up.
Xyris torta
- Common name: Twisted Yellow-eyed Grass
- Colors: Yellow, white, a pinkish-red
- Size: 6 to 12 inches
- Sunlight: Full sunlight
- Moisture level: High moisture levels
- Special properties: Edible
The Xyris torta is a common garden plant. ‘Xyris’ means razor, which describes how thin the plant is. They’re so slim that the stems can look like grass.
At the tip of the stem, a small bulb forms that bloom into a flower. This bulb can resemble an eye when it starts to open up. That’s where the common name comes from.
The petals on this flower are incredibly colorful. They’re tiny, but they pack quite a punch. This makes the Xyris torta perfect for your garden.
These plants also have the added benefit of being herbs. Still, they don’t add that much flavor, so it may be best to use them to brighten up a room.
Xerophyllum
- Common name: Beargrass
- Colors: White
- Size: 18 to 36 inches
- Sunlight: Full sunlight
- Moisture level: Well-drained
- Special properties: Several medicinal uses
The Petals of a Xerophyllum are pure white, and they represent rebirth. It’s not the color of the flower that gives it its meaning, but rather its growing conditions.
Xerophyllum needs specific conditions to grow. These conditions usually only align after a fire. The soil should be dry and nutrient-rich enough to support the plant. So, the plants rise from the ashes of the fire.
Still, that’s not the only reason the plant has that name. The flower of the Xerophyllum also has medicinal properties. It can help stop bleeding wounds and ease swollen limbs.
Another use for the plant is weaving. Long ago, many people would use the stems of the plant to weave baskets and clothes.
Even though this plant is incredibly useful, it might be difficult to grow at home. The conditions these plants need may be a little tricky to maintain. So, you might not even get the flower to bloom.
Xerochrysum
- Common name: Everlasting Daisy
- Colors: White, yellow, gold, orange, red
- Size: 30 to 60 inches
- Sunlight: Partial or full shade
- Moisture level: Well-drained
- Special properties: Essential oil has medicinal properties
These plants look like daisies, but they come from a different family. Xerochrysums are one of the most colorful flowers on our list. They come in more than seven different colors, and they can crossbreed. That’s why we often use them in bouquets.
Florists also love this plant because it’s relatively easy to grow. They don’t need much sunlight or water to grow. This means you can try growing them at home. Even if you’re bad at keeping your plants watered, the plant should be ok.
In addition, these plants can stay in bloom for a while. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they can last you from spring to fall.
Xerochrysums also have some medicinal properties. When you extract their essential oil, you can use it on wounds to help them heal faster.
x Fatshedera lizei
- Common name: Bush Ivy
- Colors: White and green
- Size: 18 to 40 inches
- Sunlight: Partial shade
- Moisture level: High moisture level
- Special properties: Climbing plant
This plant’s an example of a hybrid flower that starts with an x-prefix. X Fatshedera lizei is a hybrid of aralia and ivy. That means it’ll have properties of both original plants.
The leaves of the x Fatshedera lizei look like a cross between both parent plants. However, the flower is almost identical to the aralia flower. It’s pale white and barely visible.
Since this plant is half ivy, you can train it to climb structures. This makes it perfect for any backyard. You can use it to add a touch of green to your garden or for a little extra shade.
Unfortunately, because x Fatshedera is a hybrid, it’s sterile. That means it cannot create offspring. That means if you don’t maintain the plants you have, you’ll have to replant every season.
Xylobium variegatum
- Common name: Orchid
- Colors: Purple, cream, and white
- Size: 18 to 36 inches
- Sunlight: Partial shade
- Moisture level: Moderate moisture
- Special properties: Decorative
This plant is part of the orchid family. The Xylobuim variegatum shares many qualities with its family members. Mainly, their flowers all look the same. They have delicate petals that envelope the pistil.
Xylobium variegatum has unique petals. The base of the petals is a soft cream color that fades into a snowy white. However, the innermost petal, or the lip, fades from cream into a deep shade of purple.
The major drawback of Xylobium variegatum is that the blooms can be fragile. They need specific sun and moisture conditions to stay alive. So, keep it in the shade and be sure to water it regularly.
Xeronema Callistemon
- Common name: Poor Knights Lilies
- Colors: Red
- Size: 12 to 18 inches
- Sunlight: Partial or complete sunlight
- Moisture level: Moderate moisture
- Special properties: Decorative
If you’re looking for a pop of color for your garden, the Xeronema Callistemon may be the way to go. This plant has one of the most vibrant flowers on the list.
Xeronema Callistemon has many tiny little flowers. Each one’s a deep, vivid red. All the flowers grow on one part of the plant and create a cluster. However, the flowers are incredibly small, so they look like spikes coming off the plant.
Because of its unusual shape, many people overlook this plant. Still, these plants can grow in tough environments and don’t need a lot of care. They can also add a dash of color to any space.
Planting Flowers That Start With X
If you’re interested in growing one of these plants yourself, you can start with seeds. The easiest way to find seeds is to look through your local seed catalog. They may not have all the seeds you’re looking for, but they should have the largest collection in the area.
Depending on where you live, you may not be able to grow all the flowers on this list. Make sure to check the growing conditions of a flower before you plant it.
Wrapping Up
Even though there are many flowers that start with X, it can be tricky to remember one of them off the top of your head. Mostly because their names are long and complex.
However, now you should have the knowledge to win your next categories game or grow your garden.
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