37 Popular White Flowers for Home Gardeners with Pictures

Are you planning to grow some white flowers in your backyard? There are many different types of white flowers, including annuals and perennials, that will enliven your yard or add some harmony to a garden of vibrantly colored flowers. This complete guide shares 37 of our most favorite white flowers, along with their names and images.

White flowers are a symbol of purity, innocence, and peace. They are admired for their elegance and simplicity, and have been used in various cultures and traditions for their beauty and symbolic meaning.

Whether you are looking to create a serene garden, or decorate your home by growing them indoors, white flowers are a classic choice that never goes out of style. And what’s best is that they provide a striking contrast to the dark greens and browns of the majority of gardens and add more balance to any space or garden.

The sheer variety of white-flowering plants, though, might make it difficult to choose the right ones for your yard and climate. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of white flowers to pick from because they can thrive in almost any climate.

In this blog post, we have curated a list of the 37 most popular white flowers to grow, including perennials, annuals, and evergreen shrubs. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you’re sure to find something on this list that will inspire you to create a beautiful and serene space.

1. Daffodil

Botanical Name: Narcissus

Hardiness Zones: 4 – 8 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun

Daffodils are sun-loving flowers with trumpet-like central crowns that’s surrounded by six petals. Daffodil bulbs, when planted in the fall, will produce stunning blossoms in the early spring, and they symbolize rebirth, resilience, and hope.

Their Latin name, narcissus, refers to an ancient Greek hunter who fell in love with his own reflection. These stunning flowers and rabbit and deer resistant and fortunately require little maintenance.

2. Gardenia

Botanical Name: Gardenia Jasminoides

Hardiness Zones: 7 – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun

Gardenia feature fragrant blossoms that have a velvety, creamy feel that is offset by their dark, glossy foliage. They can be difficult to propagate, but the effort is well worth it. As long as they get enough sunlight and their soil is moist, they make fantastic indoor plants because to their pleasant smell.

These flowering plants require a lot more maintenance than others since they are prone to mold, scales, aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, mildew, leaf spots, and anthracnose.

3. Dahlia

Botanical Name: Dahlia

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Annual

Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun

Dahlias are perennial bulbs that produce dense blossoms composed of countless small petals. The plant grows to a height of forty-eight inches, and the flowers have a diameter of around four inches. Dahlias thrive in full sun, but they should be protected from strong winds. They also require a consistent watering to thrive.

Dahlias attract butterflies and thrive in sandy, loamy, and clay-like soils. Plant in groups of five or more for the most aesthetic impact, and dig up and preserve the bulbs overwinter in colder areas.

4. Nemesia

Botanical Name: Nemesia

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Annual

Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun

Nemesia is a bushy, annual plant that produces an abundance of little white blooms and will never grow taller than half a metre. It thrives in partial sunlight, making it an ideal addition to gardens with taller plants that provide dappled shade.

The blooms are fragrant and fortunately this plant is low maintenance, making it ideal for new gardeners. Keep in mind though that it flowers less in hotter climates and should be fertilized after being pruned.

5. Tulip

Botanical Name: Tulipa

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennials

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Tulips are perennial flowers that are popular in spring gardens and can be found in a variety of vivid colors. The white tulip is associated with purification and forgiveness, making it a profound symbol of goodwill. Tulips flourish in the sun and grow from bulbs.

They don’t need a lot of care and maintenance outside, and prefer loamy, sandy soil. They work great for flower arrangements and bouquets, and can also be grown indoors.

6. Snowdrop

Botanical Name: Galanthus nivalis

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 7 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial bulb

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Galanthus, most often known as ‘snowdrop,’ takes its name from the striking, bulbous, white blooms that droop when in full bloom.

Snowdrops are more resilient than their name implies, making them relatively simple to grow. They won’t get very tall, so place them at the edge of the bed where they will be visible.

7. Moonflower

Botanical Name: Ipomoea Alba

Hardiness Zones: 10 – 12 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial flowering vines

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Moonflower vines produce trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in the late afternoon, producing a subtle fragrance that perfumes their surroundings.

The vines will happily wrap around anything within their grasp. Gently guide the vines through a trellis, and you’ll soon have a gorgeous, sweet-smelling vine to complement your yard.

8. Petunia

Botanical Name: Petunia

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Nightshade

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Petunia plants are annual perennials that are available in a variety of vibrant colors. Plant the blanket double white or supertunia white kinds to get the types of white flowers you want. As long as they receive enough direct sunlight, they will bloom continuously from the beginning of spring until the first frost.

These stunning flowers require little maintenance but will bloom even better if you remove dead flowers and trim it occasionally.

9. Peony

Botanical Name: Paeonia Lactiflora

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8 (USDA)

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Peony plants produce large, sweetly scented flowers that range in color from white to fuchsia. They are the perfect garden plant because they are hardy and perennial. The herbaceous types can go as tall as 2 meters, so plant them somewhere with plenty of sunlight and space to flourish.

These beautiful flowers rarely have any issues with pests and diseases, and generally require little maintenance. They attract butterflies to the garden and are also resistant to deers and rabbits.

10. Iris

Botanical Name: Iris

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Even though the majority of wild irises are white, this genus of flowering plant comes in a wide variety of vibrant hues, giving credence to its name, which is derived from the Greek word for a rainbow. Iris have long stems and frequently compete with other plants for sunlight, so they need plenty of space to grow.

11. Amaryllis

Botanical Name: Hippeastrum

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

The Alfresco kind of amaryllis is a magnificent, full plant that produces five to eight flowers per stem and two to three stems per bulb. The plant typically grows to be twelve to eighteen inches tall and flowers for several weeks to months.

Amaryllis are hardy perennial flowers that can live for up to seventy-five years if given the proper conditions. They thrive on clay, sandy, and loam soils and are relatively low maintenance.

12. Foxglove

Botanical Name: Digitalis

Hardiness Zones: 4 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Biennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

Foxglove bushes give rise to tall, proud, leafy stems that sport drooping, bell-shaped, purple, or white flowers. This flowering shrub requires little maintenance and is also resistant to rabbits and deers while attracts pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and other birds to your garden. It’s a sun-loving plant that does well in partial shade in warmer months.

13. Hibiscus

Botanical Name: Hibiscus Moscheutos

Hardiness Zones: 5 – 8 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Hibiscus moscheutos (or luna white) is a perennial plant notable for its showy, large white blooms. While each flower only lives for 1-2 days, they quickly replace each other when the old ones die. The huge, white petals of a Luna hibiscus have brilliant red centers, making it easy to spot.

14. Gerbera Daisy

Botanical Name: Gerbera

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Gerbera daisies are semi-evergreen perennial plants with beautiful flowers that are much bigger than regular daisies. Most Gerbera daisy flowers are about two inches across and bloom from spring to fall.

This plant grows to a height of 18 inches, and it thrives in soils that are either sandy, loamy, or chalky. It must be planted in an area with adequate drainage.

15. White Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa X Alba

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8 (USDA)

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Despite their reputation for being finicky and difficult to propagate, white roses are well worth the extra effort. They are popular at weddings because they represent everlasting love and purity. The more sunlight these rare flowers receive, the more they bloom.

16. Hydrangea

Botanical Name: Hydrangea Aborescens

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub

Sun Exposure: Full sun to afternoon shade

One of the most well-known types of white hydrangeas is oakleaf hydrangeas. Their little white blossoms form lovely conical clusters. When compared to other, more colorful springtime flowers, these common shrubs offer a striking contrast. Ideally, they should receive full sun in the morning and gradually fade into shade as the afternoon progresses.

17. Lily of the Valley

Botanical Name: Convallaria Majalis

Hardiness Zones: 2 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun

The lily of the valley is a beautiful addition to any garden. It only grows six to twelve inches tall and has many tiny white flowers that look like bells. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance and require minimal maintenance.

This plant prefers clay and loam soils with a moderate amount of moisture but adequate drainage. They can, however, withstand dry soil that’s clay. Also, they benefit from an annual application of organic compost.

18. Dendrobium Orchid

Botanical Name: Dendrobium spp.

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 12 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Partial sun

This variety of orchid is comparatively simple to grow if its preferred conditions are maintained. They are beautiful ornamental houseplants with white, delicate flowers. Orchids thrive in small containers and when they receive plenty of sunlight.

19. Butterfly Bush

Botanical Name: Buddleja

Hardiness Zones: 5 – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennials

Sun Exposure: Full sun

These fast-growing deciduous shrubs bear small, white blooms in clusters that resemble cones. They can be invasive if not controlled, but as the name implies, they attract a variety of pollinating insects.

20. Carnation

Botanical Name: Dianthus Caryophyllus

Hardiness Zones: 5 – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

White carnations are one of the many varieties and colors available. They are perennials and can reach heights of up to 30 inches. During the summer, carnations can be propagated from cuttings and flowers.

This plant requires moist soil, ample sunlight, and moderate watering. After they bloom, carnations should be pruned. They are hardy plants that produce a spicy scent when they are in full bloom. Hummingbirds and bees are drawn to their distinctive aroma.

21. Ranunculus

Botanical Name: Ranunculus

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Annual, perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Ranunculus plants are well-liked by florists because of their sturdy, spiraling petals and long vase life. Since they last so long when cut from the stem, they are frequently used in flower arrangements and bouquets. Certain varieties of ranunculus plants, which are typically annuals, may be encouraged to bloom for a second year if they are grown in well-drained soil.

22. Bacopa

Botanical Name: Bacopa Monnieri

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Bacopa monnieri has gained popularity in ayurvedic medicine due to its memory-enhancing, antidepressant, and anxiolytic qualities. It is a perennial herb that grows in bushy bunches and produces delicate white blooms.

23. Snapdragon

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum coulterianum

Hardiness Zones: 8a – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Annual

Sun Exposure: Full sun

White snapdragon blooms in clusters of woody stalks with elegant white blossoms. The buds start out pink and progressively fade to white as the petals unfurl. They often grow wild in places where there was a fire the year before.

24. Angelonia

Botanical Name: Angelonia

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Annual

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Angelonia, also known as angelface, is a tender perennial that requires minimal watering and even less upkeep. It thrives in typical chalky, clay, or sandy soil and prefers direct sunlight.

Angelonia can reach a height of thirty to forty inches and a width of twelve to eighteen inches. It may be grown through cuttings, rarely attracts disease or pests, and is self-cleaning which makes it an excellent white flowering plant for beginners.

25. Arabian Jasmine

Botanical Name: Jasminum Sambac

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial shrub

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Arabian jasmine is a beautiful plant with a strong, alluring scent. It is an evergreen scrambling plant that can twine for support and reaches heights and widths of six to ten feet. In warmer climates, the clusters of three to twelve white flowers can last the entire summer or even longer. As they age, their flowers fade to pink.

Arabian jasmine enjoys full to partial sun and loam soils. It needs good drainage but minimal further upkeep. It doesn’t get many pests, and you can prune and shape it.

26. Calla Lily

Botanical Name: Zantedeschia Aethiopica

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 10 (USDA)

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennials

Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

The calla lily, originating in Africa’s southern regions, is instantly recognizable thanks to its animal-ear shape and protruding, colorful pistil.

Even though most people call the calla lily a lily, it is actually a Zantedeschia, which is a different kind of flower. This incorrect assumption originated from a mistake made when the plant was first named.

Although the white calla lily is the most popular, there are many other colors to pick from. Calla lilies thrive in warm, humid environments with lots of water. In hotter climates, they do better with more shade.

27. White Bouvardia

Botanical Name: Bouvardia longiflora

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Sun Exposure: Full sun

This plant’s petite, star-shaped flowers and broad, dark-green leaves make it easily recognizable as decor for weddings and other special occasions. They thrive in warm, temperate regions and make excellent house plants.

28. Camellia

Botanical Name: Camellia Japonica

Hardiness Zones: 7 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Camellias are evergreen, so if you want a flowering plant to liven up your garden in the winter, you don’t have to look any further. Their petals grow in a fractal pattern, which makes the flowers beautiful and symmetrical. For them, a partial sun and shade combination is ideal.

Camellias are low-maintenance plants that thrive in clay, loam, and sandy soil. They should be planted in places that are protected from cold, harsh winds and bright, hot sun.

29. Baby’s Breath

Botanical Name: Gypsophila

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Annual, perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Baby’s breath, which is also called gypsophila, is a favorite flower for florists to use in arrangements. The tiny, white, delicate blooms are produced by thin stems. Both fresh and dried ones are used as decorations in bouquets and indoor flower arrangements.

30. Fan Flower

Botanical Name: Scaevola

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Evergreen perennial/shrub

Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun

These annual white flowers require little care and are stunning year after year. They are native to southern Australia, but have become popular in gardens around the world, thanks to their resilience to summer heat. They are an excellent addition to any garden due to their resistance to neglect and harsh conditions as well as their tendency to attract pollinators.

31. Lobelia

Botanical Name: Lobelia

Hardiness Zones: 10 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Lobelia comes in many different colors and is usually a small plant that doesn’t like the summer heat. They make excellent ground cover when shaded by larger plants in the afternoon and can produce stunning white flowers.

32. Chrysanthemum

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum

Hardiness Zones: 4 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Chrysanthemums, also known as ‘mums,’ are incredibly diverse in terms of size, shape, and color. White chrysanthemums are striking, large white blooms that symbolize loyalty and commitment. If you take good care of your chrysanthenums over the winter, they will come back year after year.

33. Yarrow

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Yarrow has little white flowers in clusters and is appreciated for its therapeutic properties. It is used to cure a variety of diseases in natural medicine, including arthritis, gastrointestinal distress, congestion, and flesh wounds.

34. Marigold

Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta

Hardiness Zones: 2 – 11 (USDA)

Plant Type: Herbaceous, annual

Sun Exposure: Full sun

The snowball marigold plant features long, leafy branches that yield pleasantly crowded, spherical clusters of white flowers. Marigolds flourish in full sun and moist soil. As they reach full bloom, their beauty is undeniable.

35. Hellebore

Botanical Name: Helleborus

Hardiness Zones: 6 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hellebores are hardy plants that remain evergreen in all areas except those with the harshest winters. They are frequently planted on hills or slopes so the white flowers can be appreciated. They are perennial and make good companion plants for daffodils and snowdrops that have also been mentioned in this article.

36. White Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula Angustifolia

Hardiness Zones: 5 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun

White lavender is a rare but breathtaking sight. There are five basic types of lavender that gardeners grow, and most white lavender varieties fall into one of those. White lavender has the same strong scent and appearance as purple lavenders. The stems reach a height of twenty to twenty-four inches and form clusters that are twenty-four to thirty inches wide. Lavender blooms from late spring until midsummer.

37. Wisteria 

Botanical Name: Wisteria

Hardiness Zones: 5 – 9 (USDA)

Plant Type: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Wisteria has a wonderfully magical appearance. This tree, sometimes known as lavender lace, features willow-like long, dangling tendrils of silky flowers. The tree can grow to be ten to thirty feet tall and just as wide.

Wisteria prefers full or partial light and thrives in any moist, well-drained soil. It is fragrant, appealing to pollinators, and resistant to deer and drought.

 

Other Flower Guides from Planet Natural:

Begonia: How to Plant, Grow and Care for Begonia Plant

Coneflower: How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Echinacea spp.

Complete Guide to Plant, Grow, and Care for Sunflowers