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The green color is associated with nature, good fortune, and financial prosperity, yet it also symbolizes envy and jealousy, as in Shakespeare’s coinage “the green-eyed monster”. With or without this symbolism in mind, many gardeners opt for green flowers to instill a natural touch to their homes.
As for care requirements, most flowering plants are killed by incorrect watering and most prefer to be given a good soaking then left to dry out. Never mist in bright sunlight since this can leave scorch marks on foliage. Some flowering plants require higher humidity. Prune old flowering plants in the spring to encourage flowering. Finally, most flowering houseplants prefer diffused daylight. Green flowers are not very common but they make wonderful flower arrangements if combined with other plants in different shades of pink or orange. Here are 40+ green-flowered species and concise instructions on how to care for them.
1. Dionaea muscipula – Venus Flytrap
This is a carnivorous plant that attracts insects, captures them, and uses the nutrients they provide. It has green leaves with hairs on the edges that are like bars of a prison, whereas the mouth is often red inside and contains nectar glands that attract insects.
Cultivation: Bright light, high humidity and highly acidic potting mix with peat moss are vital for this demanding plant. Place in a cold place in the dormant period which is about 5 months during the winter season.
2. Saintpaulia – African Violet
This plant comes in a wide array of colors, sizes, and leaf variations that is mind-boggling. Flowers range from green, pink, red, and white in between. They can be single, double, and semi-double.
Cultivation: An east or west window is best suitable for African violets, with the addition of grow light exposure for 12 hours a day. Keep evenly moist and wick watering is a popular method of watering them.
3. Cymbidium “Flightland Canary”
This orchid species come from Asia and Australia and is very easy to grow. It has a rhizomatous root system, leathery leaves, and waxy flowers in green, pink, white, or red. They appear in winter and spring.
Cultivation: It needs indirect sunlight, a normal room temperature of about 15 degrees C, moist soil from spring to fall, and feeding every two weeks in spring and summer.
4. Paphiopedilum – Slipper Orchid
This is a stemless orchid that has thick and fleshy leaves, along with waxy flowers in shades of green, pink, or orange lasting from 8 to 12 weeks between fall and spring.
Cultivation: Indirect sunlight, temperature below 13 degrees C. Keep moist all year. Give it some foliar feeding once a month.
5. Cymbidium species
This orchid comes in 50 different species, once rare and expensive, nowadays widely available. The green variety is now within our reach thanks to modern propagation techniques. It flowers for six weeks, then goes into a resting period.
Cultivation: It needs bright sunlight, high humidity, and daily misting with tepid water.
6. Osmanthus fragrans- Sweet Olive
This houseplant is one of the must-have houseplants with pale green fragrant flowers. It blooms from September to May. It can be trained into a durable indoor topiary.
Cultivation: It needs bright, diffused light of at least 4 hours a day. Cool to moderate temperatures and enough airflow. Prune to promote young growth.
7. Pterostylis longifolia
Native to Australia, this orchid produces green blooms in winter, which means it is summer-dormant. It grows in zones 9-10, where the minimum temperature is 38 degrees F.
Cultivation: Provide light shade, fertilize monthly, and water carefully, after almost drying out.
8. Triphora trianthophora – Three Birds Orchid
This plant produces green, pink, or white blooms in the summer. It thrives in zones 4-9.
Cultivation: Provide constant moisture, good drainage and use a slightly acidic tullock general purpose mix.
9. Hellebores viridis
Hellebore is undemanding plant species that produce equally stunning leaves and flowers. The plant looks especially attractive from January to May, with its glossy green foliage and soft petals that are lime green in the center.
Cultivation: Refrain from repotting hellebores occasionally. Grow in part shade in well-drained soil. Mulch annually.
10. Cymbidium Orchid
This plant produces long spikes, fragrant flowers that last around three months. G.goeringii is one lime-green species to check out.
Cultivation: Bring them outdoors in May. Provide diffused light. Water frequently and thoroughly. Use light and porous soil for green cymbidium.
11. Zinnia elegans
This plant is a long-lasting and colorful addition to any indoor garden. The foliage is always bright green, yet flower colors range from pink to green.
Cultivation: Grow it in a sunny flower bed and it will act as a summer blanket to otherwise dull ground.
12. Ranunculus asiaticus
This is a sun-loving perennial plant that blooms in early spring until early summer. It comes in a variety of colors, including green, pink, white, bright orange, and red.
Cultivation: Dig up the rhizome before winter and bring it indoors. Water moderately. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer.
13. Celosia cristata – Cockscomb
Traditionally cultivated in red and orange color, this species is also available in green. It rewards its keeper with long-lasting scented flowers. Celosia Spring Green is another popular variety.
Cultivation: Find a full sun location and use well-draining soil.
14. Hemerocallis Green Iceberg-Daylily
The daylily is a classic perennial flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis which comprises more than 16 known species and 2 hybrids. The most common colors are orange and pink, but there is also an apple-green variety.
Cultivation: Drought and frost-tolerant. Generally low maintenance.
15. Dianthus barbatus “Green Ball”
Otherwise known as Sweet William, this plant boasts marvelously shaped round, fuzzy lime green balls and long, glossy leaves. Performs equally well in containers and garden beds.
Cultivation: Full sun, organic and rich soil, deadhead when necessary.
16. Gladiolus hortulanus “Green Lace”
This is a tender perennial bulb that can grow to a height of 130 cm in zones 8-10. It is poisonous if ingested and can cause skin irritations.
Cultivation: Mildly acidic to neutral soil. Propagate by dividing rhizomes.
17. Moluccella laevis – Bells of Ireland
Bells of Ireland is another attention-grabber lime green species whose flower bells hide and shelter white or pink flowers. It is famed for the longevity, wide availability, and ornamental qualities of its pale lime-green funnel-shaped flowers. It is non-toxic to humans and animals. It thrives in zones 6-11.
Cultivation: Full to partial sun. Mulch after planting outdoors and keep evenly moist. Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble formula.
18. Dendranthema grandiflorum – Pot Mum
These are a perennial hardy species, widely used as food addition, such as aromatic tea. It flowers from August to October.
Cultivation: It requires sandy soil, loamy, or clay medium. It can’t grow in the shade. Keep the soil moist.
19. Zantedeschia aethiopica – Cally Lily
Calla lily plants have large, feathery bright green leaves, and emerging from the center is a tall, somewhat thick stem bearing a single flower that has lime green throat, but gradually fades into the very pale green to white. It thrives in most regions, producing blooms in late spring to early summer, one of the reasons for its wide popularity.
Cultivation: Calla lilies are low-maintenance plants that need very frequent watering and tolerate even clay or wet soil. They are tolerant of deer and rabbits.
20. Hydrangea arborescence “Annabelle”
Smooth green hydrangea is a deciduous shrub that performs best in zones 3 to 9. It features heart-shaped leaves and pale green small flowers growing on top of the stem and forming a ball.
Cultivation: Hydrangea needs partial shade, medium watering, and well-drained soil. Prune back in late winter.
21. Tulipa “Formosa”
Viridiflora Tulip is an incredibly beautiful species that has yellow to long-lasting yellow-green flowers evocative of spring and summer that create a unique harmony with other bulbs.
Cultivation: Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant in the fall.
22. Chrysanthemum morifolium – Spider mum
This is a herbaceous perennial plant that produces uniquely shaped flowers in a variety of shades, including pink and green in late summer and fall. It thrives in zones 6-9.
Cultivation: Humus-rich and well-drained soil. Find a sunny position and water every other day.
23. Angelica “Wild Celery”
Native to Europe, these plants are herbaceous hardy species that form umbels of tiny green flowers. Each plant contains a number of such umbels, giving the plant the appearance of a coherent ball from a distance. Seeds, fruit, and leaves are edible, while the roots are used in oil and perfume production.
Cultivation: It favors damp soil and shady areas. Grow it with other herbaceous species.
24. Green chrysanthemum
Green chrysanthemums are very popular green indoor and outdoor species with an interesting shape. It flowers from June to November.
Cultivation: It is thankful if provided with full sun, ordinary moist soil, and a sheltered spot. Bring indoors to overwinter.
25. Nicotinia alata – Flowering tobacco
Flowering tobacco is a low-maintenance annual species ideal for anyone’s garden. The foliage is blue-green and flowers vary from green to purple and red. It attracts birds and butterflies, but it is perfectly suitable for containers. It thrives in zones 10-11. Poisonous if ingested. Nicotiana ‘Lime green’ is also a popular species.
Cultivation: Full sun and well-drained soil. It attracts aphids and whitefly.
26. Hypericum androsaemum- Hypericum berrie
Hypericum berries are otherwise known as St John’s Wort and it is grown for its berries in shades of green, red, or brown. It is popular for weddings and wedding bouquets since it doesn’t leave any stains on clothes. It thrives in zones 5-8.
Cultivation: Provide at least 6 hours of light each day. Prune to mildew.
27. Clematis Florida Alba Plena – Green Clematis
Clematis is a magnificent and late blooming double-flowering lime green variety that blooms until late summer. The picture below can hardly do it justice.
Cultivation: Prune in late winter. Plant in quick-draining soil.
28. Rosa chinensis
This green rose is a hardy deciduous shrub that thrives in zone 7, producing green richly scented flowers from June to September. It refreshes everyone’s morning if displayed as a bouquet in a vase. Bees often visit it.
Cultivation: Small green roses appreciate a sunny position in quality, moist, clay soils in which they bloom freely and readily. Susceptible to honey fungus.
29. Abutilon sandwicense
Greenflower Indian Mallow produces apple green flowers as well as yellow, red, and maroon. It can be small, medium, or tall and you can maintain its size by pruning or pinching back. It is a long-lived plant used for hedging or screening.
Cultivation: Well-draining moist organic soil, full sun, and no fertilizing.
30. Alyssum desertorum Stapf
This plant belongs to the family Brassicaceae and has pale lime green-yellow flowers that emerge on longer and sparsely leafed branches. It usually occurs in the crevices of the ground in its native habitat. It flowers from April to June.
Cultivation: Full sun and more compact soil than usual are ideal for this plant.
31. Dahlia
Dahlias are perennial plants that make good wedding decoration plants. There are many types and flower sizes but the majority feature white flowers. Luckily, thanks to modern propagation techniques, we now have green dahlias as well.
Cultivation: Susceptible to frost. They can get leggy if they’re not given supplemental lighting.
32. Dianthus caryophyllus
Green carnation produces a profusion of usually red, pink, white, less frequently green flowers, very long-lasting and ideal for a present. It grows in zones 7-10.
Cultivation: Plant in full sun. Maintain the constant temperature in winter because carnations cannot tolerate temperatures below 0 degrees C.
33. Orchid cypripedium – Lady’s Slipper Orchid
Lady’s Slipper Orchid is a deciduous species that has elliptic to lanceolate leaves and solitary, unusual, and distinctive pale green to white flowers.
Cultivation: Provide moderate humidity, quick-draining humus-rich soil and don’t allow it to dry out in the summer.
34. Telosma cordata – Chinese Violet
This is a small vine known for its milky sap and irresistible nectar that hosts butterflies and other pollinators. The flowers are borne in clusters on thick stems, while leaves are heart-shaped with distinct veins. Grow them as a centerpiece for tri-level interest.
Cultivation: Water and fertilize regularly, prune in late winter, and watch for spider mites. Propagate by cuttings and seeds.
35. Cestrum nocturnum – Night-blooming Jasmine
This plant has sparked many courting couples. The flowers are very pale green, tubular, and appear in clusters all over the plant. It emits a seductive and sweet fragrance and penetrates the night air. The flowers glow, the fragrance enchants and everyone falls in love.
Cultivation: Water and fertilize regularly, water by drip irrigation, prune back by one-third and identify any issues before spraying.
36. Cymbidium goeringii
This is another species from China and Japan that produces green flowers with a white lip marked in purple in spring. It grows in zone 10 but remains manageably small.
Cultivation: Partial sun, constant moisture, weekly fertilizing with orchid fertilizer and allow to dry out slightly before watering.
37. Cypripedium californicum – California lady’s slipper
Native to California and Oregon, this plant produces green or white flowers in late spring. It grows in zones 8-9 and matures to be 2 feet tall.38.
Cultivation: Partial shade, bog conditions, and tullock general purpose mix.
38. Ophys apifera – Bee Orchid
Native to Europe, this is a summer-dormant species that produces greenish to pink blooms with a yellow-spotted chestnut lip. It grows in zones 6-10. Another green variety is Ophys fusca or Dull Bee Orchid.
Cultivation: Provide light shade, bog mix, organic fertilizers, and mulch after dying back.
39. Platanthera flava var.flava
Originally from England, this species bears yellow-green flowers in summer, particularly in zones 3-8.
Cultivation: Full sun to light shade, sharp drainage, keep moist during active growth and dry during dormancy.
40. Ponthieva racemosa – Shadow witch
Native to North America and the Caribbean, this annual plant produces green and white blooms in fall. It grows in zones 5-10.
Cultivation: Dappled shade, monthly feeding, and careful watering. Don’t let it dry out completely.
41. Pterostylis banksii – Greenhood orchid
The native habitat of this plant is New Zealand. It is a summer-dormant plant that produces green blooms with brown tails on the petals in winter. It thrives in zones 9-10. Other Pterostylis species also produce green flowers such as P. concinna, P. curta, P. Grandiflora, and P. plumosa.
Cultivation: Light shade, average drainage, monthly feeding with quarter-strength orchid fertilizer.
Why are the green flowers rare?
Greens are very rarely seen in floral arrangements and cultivation and botanists still haven’t come up with a 100 percent reliable theory. One assumption is that chlorophyll is present in petals and another is that it is the result of flowers being blue and yellow. Still, it is indisputable that green flower species are worthy of attention and research, of course.
Conclusion
Flowering plants often have highly ornamental evergreen leaves, so they are worth cultivating not only for their flowers, but they are doubly worthwhile. Like foliage plants, flowering indoor plants also have some basic requirements which should be met if they are to provide you with the pleasure of a superbly ornamental plant.
That’s primarily a good light – preferably direct, regular spraying or trays of evaporating water and careful pruning after flowering. With this in mind, you will be able to grow these green species, but also other types of orange and pink flowers, along with black or black-and-white species.
