flowers that start with o

19+ Cute Flowers That Start With O | Exciting Pictures

Looking to add unique beauty to your garden or bouquet? Flowers that start with O are the answer. I’ll never forget the first time I grew an Oriental Lily in my home garden—its bold petals and intoxicating scent instantly elevated the beauty of my home. 

Before you continue, explore our fun articles on flower names that start with K, L, and M.

Let’s uncover more!

Olearia

Olearia-Flowers That Begin With The Letter O

Olearia, also known as “Daisy Bush,” is a flowering plant member of the Asteraceae family, the largest plant family in the world. These are mainly herbaceous shrubs and small trees. Olearia has beautiful daisy-like flowers in mauve, purple, pink, and white.

Its growth rate is about 30cm, and it blooms well in full sunlight with appropriate watering. For optimum growth, the soil must be moist and well-drained.

Did You Know?

The plant has been used in traditional herbal remedies in New Zealand for its calming properties.

Scientific NameOlearia
Blooming TimeSpring to Summer
SymbolismEndurance
Number of SpeciesApproximately 180 Species
Native ToNew Zealand and Australia

Osteospermum

Osteospermum

Osreopermum is one of the smallest tribe of the daisy or sunflower family, Asteraceae. It is also famous as an “African Daisy” and “Daisy Bushesh,” a refreshing bloom in shades of purple, yellow,  pink, and white. They have daisy-like flowers and dark green leaves that add beautiful colors to your home garden or any container. 

They prefer warm, humid, and sunny sides and rich soil for blooming, although they can tolerate salt, poor organic soil,  or drought excellently. The latest cultivars flower gradually when watered and fertilized appropriately. On the other hand, deadheading is not vital because they do not produce seeds quickly.

Interesting Fact:

Osteospermum flowers can “close” at night and “wake up” when the sun rises, following the movement of the sun? This amazing natural behavior is called heliotropism.

Scientific NameOsteospermum 
Blooming TimeSpring to Fall
SymbolismPurity and Cheerfulness 
Number of SpeciesAround 7 Species
Native ToSouth Africa

Orange Hawkweed | Flowers That Start With O

Orange Hawkweed-Flowers That Start With O

Another charming flower in my list of flowers that starts with O is Orange Hawkweed. It is a very striking [erennial flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The other common names of this attractive wildflower are “Grim-the-collier and “Devil’s Paintbrush.” They usually have bright orange or yellow colored flowers. 

All parts of this plant produce a milky juice and are most commonly present in meadows and along the roadsides.  Its name originated from the Latin epithet “aurantiaca” which means ‘orange,’ the common color of the flower. The common name of Fox-and-cubs” is because of the similarity of the open flowers (the fox) along the flower buds.

These wildflowers are aggressive spreaders and form great blocks of color.  They are mostly used in home gardens because of their bright and bold orange flowers that are also best for pollinators.

Scientific NamePilosella aurantiaca
Blooming TimeSummer
SymbolismWealth and Strength
Number of SpeciesUnknown
Native ToEurope

Ostrich Fern

Ostrich Fern

The Ostrich Fern is a fern genus with only 1 species and a member of the Onocleaceae family. It has large, tall, feathery, and vertical fronds. Its deciduous green fronds are 39-67 inches tall and 7.9–14 inches broad, similar to the ostrich plumes. They are motley seen in green color.
The Ostrich Ferns grow in partial to full shade, well-drained soil, and average to high amounts of water. They are susceptible to sunlight, and leaves can be discolored or burned when under direct sunlight.

Did You Know?

Ostrich Ferns can produce a “fiddlehead” in spring? These tightly coiled young fronds unfurl into beautiful, ferny leaves, and are even edible when harvested early, offering a delicious, earthy flavor often used in cooking!

Scientific NameMatteuccia struthiopteris
Blooming TimeNon-flowering 
SymbolismSincerity and New Beginning
Number of Species1 Spesie
Native ToNorth Hemisphere

Orchid | Flowers That Start With O

Orchid-Flowers That Start With O

Orchids are unique and delicate flowers belonging to one of the great flowering plants, Orchidaceae. They are exotic and perennial flowers with complex and white colored flowers.

They don’t have permanent woody structures. Ochids grow well under 85 degrees Fahrenheit and regular irrigation.

One of the most interesting features of an orchid is that its blooming quantity can be triggered artificially according to need by different techniques like increasing or decreasing in day length and controlling temperature.

Did You Know?

Orchids are one of the oldest flowering plants on Earth. Some species date back over 80 million years. Many species can even mimic the scent of other insects to attract pollinators, ensuring their survival!

Scientific NameOrchidaceae
Blooming TimeSpring to fall
SymbolismLover, Beauty, and Charm
Number of Species28,000 Species
Native ToEverywhere on the earth

Obedient Plant

Obedient Plant

Obedient Plant is a perennial flower that belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint family). Its name is because its flowers remain in the place when moved. Also known as “Obedience and False Dragonhead.” Obeyed plants have lances of conical flowers with shades of purple and pink on white. 

Obedient plants flourish well in full sunlight and well-drained soil, which helps to avoid the loss of lower leaves on the plant stems. Direct full sunlight is also favorable for flower growth and gives the number of flowers. They can have minor problems like spiders,  rust, mites, and aphids, so it’s vital to keep this plant safe from them.

Scientific NamePhysostegia virginiana
Blooming TimeSummer to early fall
SymbolismFlexibility and Bravery
Number of SpeciesOnly 2 Subspecies
Native ToNorth America

Ononis | Flowers That Start With O

Ononis-Flowers That Start With O

Ononis are perennial herbs or shrubs that belong to the Fabaceae family. They are low-growing shrubs with bunches of purple or pink eye-catching blooms. Onions are commonly seen on coasts and rocky areas. They are used as food. 

Ononis plants prefer full sunlight to partial shade in low to medium-watered soil. The plants also have medicinal properties, and many herbalists widely use them in traditional home remedies.

Amazing Tidbit:

These plants are often used in erosion control due to their strong root systems, which help stabilize the soil.

Scientific NameOnonis (genus)
Blooming TimeJune to mid-September
SymbolismHealing
Number of Species600-900 Species
Native ToNorth Africa and Western Asia

Orach

Orach

Orach is a green plant of the Amaranthaceae family. They have tiny flowers and leaves that are edible with a salty and spinach-like taste. They are used in different salads, cooked or raw. In Italy, green leaves are used to color pasta. A common use of the orach is to balance out the sour flavor of sorrel.

They are also cultivated as an ornament and serve as a vegetable and are diuretic, anti-oxidant, emetic, and purgative. Its seeds grow fastest when the temperature of the soil is between 50 and 65 degrees. It is a cool-weather lover and frost-tolerant, but it also grows in warm temperatures.

A flower that’s both beautiful and practical!

Orach was once used as a natural dye? Its vividly colored leaves and flowers—especially the deep purples and reds—were crushed to tint fabrics and even food, long before synthetic dyes existed.

Scientific NameAtriplex
Blooming TimeSummer
SymbolismCure and Meditation
Number of Species250-300 Species
Native ToTemperate and Subtropical regions

Oenothera

Oenothera

Oenothera, also known as “Evening Primrose,” “Sundrops,” and “Suncups”, is a flowering plant that is a member of the Onagraceae family. They have different species of plants with pink, yellow, or white-coloured flowers.
Its oil (Oenothera biennis) is used for different health conditions, especially for women, such as breast pain (mastalgia), premenstrual or menopausal symptoms, and labour induction. Interestingly, all parts of Oenothera are edible, but its oral use might increase the chances of bleeding.

Pro Tip

If you are planning to have any surgery, stop consuming it 15 days beforehand.

Scientific NameOenothera
Blooming TimeEarly summer to fall
SymbolismHealing, Hope, Love, and Protection
Number of Species145 Species
Native ToAmerica

Oleander | Flowers Beginning With O

Oleander-Flowers Beginning With O

Rosebay is another common name for Oleander; it is a hardy evergreen small tree or shrub belonging to the Apocynaceae family. Its flowers have different shades of dark pink, light red, and yellow. Almost all parts of this dangerous plant are extremely toxic, and a single leaf can kill an adult.
Oleander can cause other health problems like vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, hyperkalemia, diarrhoea, and dysrhythmias. By the way, it is illegal in the USA.
They perform well in full sunlight and moderate watering.

Pro Tip

Oleanders are beautiful yet toxic. You should remove oleander from your home garden, especially if you have kids.

Scientific NameNerium oleander
Blooming TimeYear-round, peaking  in summer
SymbolismDanger, Destint, and Resilience
Number of SpeciesUnknown
Native ToMediterranean region, Iran,  and southern China

Oxeye Daisy

Oxeye Daisy

The Oxeye Daisy, Dog daisy, and  Marguerite are lovely flowers belonging to the Asteraceae family. A mature Oweye Daiy plant can produce approximately 26,000 seeds that vehicles, animals, and humans can spread. They are larger than the common daisy flowers.

It is non-toxic, and animals can consume its milk. Oxeye daisy has bright white petals and a dark yellow center, the best addition to add warmth and colors to any garden.  They have some traditional medicinal uses, too, considered best for healing cough, asthma, and other types of coughs.

The stems, petals, and leaves can be eaten raw in sandwiches or salads. Oxeye Daisies bloom well in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. They are mostly grown on woodland edges and roadsides.

Fun Fact!

The stems, petals, and leaves can be eaten raw in sandwiches or salads.

Scientific NameLeucanthemum vulgare
Blooming TimeMay to September
SymbolismCheerfulness, Innocence, and Patience
Number of SpeciesApproximately 23,000
Native ToEurope and the temperate region of Asia

Ornithogalum | Flowers Beginning With O

Ornithogalum-Flowers Beginning With O

Ornithogalum is a lovely perennial flowering plant, a member of the Asparagaceae family. It is also called the “Star of Bethlehem,” due to its star-shaped and white-coloured bloom, which resembles the Star of Bethlehem mentioned in the biblical account of Jesus’ birth.
Ornithogalum flourishes on moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.

They can spread quickly through their bulbs, making them active garden spreaders that frequently migrate into the wild. However, they are toxic to dogs and can cause visual impairment and irreversible blindness in them.

Did You Know?

Some species of Ornithogalum can release a faint, musky scent at night to attract nocturnal pollinators, turning your garden into a secret midnight meeting spot for moths!

Scientific NameOrnithogalum umbellatum
Blooming TimeApril to May
SymbolismPurity and Hope
Number of Species300 Species
Native ToNorth-western America

Oregano

Oregano

Oregano is one of the most famous herbs from the Lamiaceae family. They have pretty charming flowering variations. Its flowers come in bright pink or purple color, making them a luxury addition to any home eco-friendly garden.

Because of its rich flavor, oregano is also used in cooking. It tastes warm, spicy, and slightly bitter, with different levels of intensity. This can be grown in full sunlight with minimal to average watering.

Scientific NameOriganum vulgare
Blooming TimeSummer
SymbolismJoy and Happiness
Number of Species45 Species
Native ToMediterranean region

Oriental Poppy

Oriental Poppy-Flowers That Begin With The Letter O

The Oriental poppy is a rare and unique perennial flower with large and bright flowers in attractive colors like pink, red, and orange. They prefers soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and full direct sunlight or partially shaded conditions.
These are low-maintenance and hardy poppies, members of the Papaveraceae family.

Did You Know?

Each and every part of the poppy is toxic and contains alkaloids that serve as sedatives. Large amounts of it consumed may be dangerous to dogs, even lethal to smaller breeds and puppies.

Scientific NamePapaver orientale
Blooming TimeSpring to early summer
SymbolismRomane, Success, Peace, and Beauty
Number of Species3 species
Native ToIran and Turkey

Ornamental Onion

Ornamental Onion

Allium is basically a monocotyledon flowering plant, a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Ornamental Onions have globe-shaped flowers in purple, yellow, and white.
It is a globular perennial known for its garlic onion fragrance. It stands 35-50 inches tall and has a massive umbel of densely packed flowers.
Both edible and ornamental alliums are toxic to dogs. Red blood cell destruction, upset stomach, oral discomfort, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea are all brought on by consuming large quantities of ornamental onion.

Scientific NameAllium
Blooming TimeLate spring to early summer
SymbolismUnity
Number of SpeciesMore than 500 Species
Native ToNorthern Hemisphere

Ozothamnus

Ozothamnus

Rice Flower is the most common and well-known name for the Ozothamnus flower. It is a woody shrub that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has dense heads of tiny, rice-like bunches of white or pink flowers, primarily used in floral arrangements.
Fast-growing, medium-sized shrub, 6 to 12 feet tall, with appealing green leaves. It can tolerate moderate frosts, full sun, and most well-drained soils.

Did you know?

Ozothamnus flowers release a sweet, honey-like scent that intensifies in the sun, attracting bees, butterflies, and even curious humans. Some species were traditionally used by Indigenous Australians as natural air fresheners due to their aromatic foliage.

Scientific NameOzothamnus 
Blooming TimeSpring to summer
SymbolismEndurance, Longevity, and Love
Number of Species53 Species
Native ToAustralia and New Zealand

Oswego Tea | Flowers That Begin With The Letter O

Oswego Tea-Flowers That Begin With The Letter O

Oswego Tea is an aromatic herb of the Lamiaceae family. It is also called the “Bee Balm”. “Bergamot”, “Eau-de-Cologne plant”, and “Scarlet monarda,”.
It’s said to smell like bergamot oranges, which are used to flavour Earl Grey tea.
This plant attracts hummingbirds and serves as a juvenile host for the hermit sphinx, berry pyrausta, and orange mint moth. It has a mint-lie taste.
It grows best in full sun, but it can also flourish in moist, well-drained soil and withstand some mild shade.

Scientific NameMonarda didyma
Blooming TimeSummer to fall
SymbolismProtection and Hospitality
Number of Species6700 Species
Native ToEastern North America

Oxalis

Oxalis

Oxalis, commonly known as Wood Sorrel, is a flowering plant belonging to the Oxalidaceae family. These plants can be either annual or perennial. The leaves are divided into three, five, or ten or more oval, outstanding leaves.

In India, it is only eaten during the winter months, from December to January. Oxalis like strong indirect sunlight and can also tolerate direct sunlight through a door or window. It must be kept in the shade, though, as it cannot withstand direct light outside.

Edible Surprise:

Many Oxalis plants have a tangy, lemon-like flavor due to oxalic acid and are used in small amounts to add zest to salads and drinks.

Scientific NameOxalis
Blooming TimeSpring-Summer
SymbolismJoy, Happiness, Faith, and Luck
Number of Species550 Species
Native ToWorldwide

Ornamental Peppers | Flowers That Begin With The Letter O

Ornamental Peppers-Flowers That Begin With The Letter O

These ornamental peppers have beautiful, small, colorful, and attractive fruits. It is also known as Sweet Pepper, Jalapeño, Bell pepper, or Cayenne.
Ornamental peppers are fruits from the nightshade family. Their high content of antioxidants and low-calorie content make them an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

Its leaves are a little toxic to humans. They can attract bees, whiteflies, cutworms, and Colorado potato beetles, best for an eco-friendly garden.

Scientific NameCapsicum annuum
Blooming TimeSummer to fall
SymbolismSpice and Excitement
Number of SpeciesAbout 3,000 Species
Native ToCentral and South America

Conclusion

Nature doesn’t just grow flowers—it tells stories through them. The blooms that start with ‘O’ are proof of this, each carrying its own mystery, charm, or even a touch of danger (looking at you, Oleander!).

From the luminous Evening Primrose that wakes up at dusk to the ever-smiling Osteospermum that follows the sun, these flowers are more than just garden beauties—they’re little wonders with big personalities. 

So, whether you’re planning your next floral masterpiece or just love discovering nature’s best-kept secrets, stay with us. A whole world of blooms is waiting to be explored, let’s uncover them together! 

Be happy!

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