31 Captivating Plants That Begin With U

Plants that start with the letter U encapsulate a diverse range of botanicals, each with their own unique characteristics and appeal. From common garden varieties to rare tropical specimens, these plants share the distinction of having names beginning with the letter U.

In this article, we’ll explore 31 of the most popular and visually striking plants that begin with U, providing an overview of their key features and cultivation requirements. Read on to learn more about these botanical beauties!

1. Umbrella Plant

The umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola) is a popular houseplant known for its glossy, hand-shaped leaves that radiate out from a central stalk resembling the spokes of an umbrella. Native to Taiwan and Hainan Island, this easy-care plant thrives in bright, indirect light and moderately warm temperatures.

2. Ugni

Ugni (Ugni molinae) is an attractive evergreen shrub that produces edible berries Sometimes called Chilean guava or murta, this plant is native to Chile and blooms with nodding white or pink flowers The berries have a sweet, spicy flavor and are used to make jams and desserts.

3. Upright Juniper

Upright juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Stricta’) is an narrow, columnar evergreen shrub valued in landscaping for its dense foliage and vertical shape. Its blue-green needle-like leaves provide year-round interest. This drought tolerant plant grows well in full sun.

4. Utricularia

Commonly known as bladderwort, Utricularia is a carnivorous genus of plants that use bladder-like traps to capture prey These aquatic plants produce delicate flowers in hues of purple, yellow, pink, and white. There are over 200 species in this genus, many valued for their ornamental flowers

5. Utah Agave

The Utah agave (Agave utahensis) is a striking succulent with blue-green, spiky leaves. It is distinguished by its flower stalk that can grow up to 15 feet tall topped with greenish-yellow blossoms. This agave flowers only once after several years before dying.

6. Umbrella Tree

The umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) is a tropical tree recognized by its dense crown of palmate leaves. This fast-growing plant can reach up to 30 feet in height. The umbrella tree blooms with insignificant greenish-yellow flowers followed by dark purple fruits.

7. Ulex

Commonly known as gorse, Ulex is a prickly evergreen shrub that produces vibrant yellow flowers. Ulex europaeus is the most widely distributed species, known for its coconut-like fragrance. This tough plant grows well in poor soils and is found in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

8. Uva Ursi

Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a trailing evergreen shrub with small pink or white bell-shaped flowers. Also called bearberry, this plant has historically been used medicinally to treat urinary tract infections due to its disinfectant properties. It thrives in acidic, well-drained soils.

9. Umbrella Sedge

The umbrella sedge (Cyperus involucratus) is a perennial sedge grown as an ornamental for its unique, umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Emerging from triangular stems, they resemble opened umbrellas. This easy-care plant does well in full sun and moist soils, often around ponds or water gardens.

10. Umbrella Magnolia

The umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) is a deciduous tree prized for its large, fragrant white flowers in spring and its unique umbrella-shaped leaves. This magnolia can reach 40 feet in height at maturity. Its natural range is limited to the Appalachian Mountains.

11. Urginea Maritima

Also known as sea squill, Urginea maritima is a bulbous perennial that produces tall stems topped with white star-shaped flowers. Native to sandy seashores of the Mediterranean region, this plant grows from a large bulb that is toxic if ingested.

12. Uvularia

Commonly called bellwort, Uvularia is a spring-blooming woodland wildflower that produces dangling, bell-shaped yellow blossoms. Species such as U. grandiflora and U. sessilifolia are valued as shade garden plants and woodland groundcovers.

13. Utah Serviceberry

Native to western North America, the Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) is a deciduous shrub that displays clusters of sweet, edible berries in summer. Showy white flowers appear in spring, and leaves turn vibrant shades of orange and red in fall.

14. Umbrella Palm

The umbrella palm (Cyperus alternifolius) is a tropical plant grown for its palm-like tufts of long, narrow leaves. As a marginal aquatic plant, it thrives planted in standing water or consistently moist soil. This fast grower adds exotic appeal to water gardens.

15. Umbrella Papyrus

Related to umbrella palm, umbrella papyrus (Cyperus involucratus) is an ornamental sedge grown for its unique, umbrella-shaped flower heads. Reaching 5 feet tall, it grows well in wet soils and is ideal for pond margins or as a focal point.

16. Urn Plant

The urn plant (Aechmea fasciata) is a bromeliad prized for its rosette of strap-like leaves that form an open urn shape. Showy pink flower spikes appear in summer. Native to Brazil, it is widely grown as a houseplant and in tropical gardens for its exotic foliage.

17. Upright Prairie Coneflower

Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) is a North American native perennial that produces yellow flowers with drooping petals around a central brown cone. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, this plant attracts butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.

18. Umbrella Thorn

Acacia tortilis, also called umbrella thorn acacia, is a spiny, flat-topped tree native to Africa and the Middle East. It develops an umbrella-shaped crown and is tolerant of drought, heat, and poor soils. Certain cultures plant this acacia as a food source.

19. Urceolina

A member of the Amaryllidaceae family, Urceolina is a genus of bulbous tropical plants that produce unique, urn-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow. Popular ornamental species include U. amazonica, U. andreana, and U. xanthobyrsa.

20. Uncarina

Uncarina is a genus of succulent spiny plants native to Africa. Some species grow on trees as epiphytes. They produce exotic-looking flowers with curved petals emerging from conical bases. Popular species include U. grandidieri, U. peltata, and U. roeoesliana.

21. Umbrella Grass

The aptly named umbrella grass (Cyperus involucratus) is a sedge grown for its umbrella-shaped inflorescences arising from a spoke-like arrangement of stems. Reaching 5 feet tall, it is suitable for pond margins or water gardens where it can get consistently moist soil.

22. Umbrella Arum

Umbrella arum (Polyscias scutellaria) is a tropical understory plant with large, deeply cut leaves that emerge in a circular pattern resembling an open umbrella. Small dark berries and insignificant flowers are borne on tall stalks. It grows best in warm, humid conditions.

23. Umbrella Tree

The umbrella tree or octopus tree (Schefflera actinophylla) is an evergreen tree with palmate leaves containing 5-8 finger-like leaflets. Named for its dense, umbrella-shaped crown, this fast-growing tropical can reach 30 feet tall at maturity.

24. Utah Agave

Agave utahensis, also called the Utah agave, is a compact blue-gray succulent prized for its flowering stalk that arises after 10+ years. Reaching up to 15 feet tall, the stalk bears dense clusters of greenish-yellow blooms before the mother plant dies.

25. Ume

Ume or Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) is a early-blooming fruit tree cultivated for its fragrant and edible fruits and lovely blossoms in shades of pink and white. These trees flower in late winter, signaling the arrival of spring.

26. Utricularia

Utricularia, commonly known as bladderworts, are carnivorous aquatic plants that rely on suction traps to capture prey. Tiny, bladder-like traps vacuum in and digest insect larvae and other microscopic organisms. Many species produce showy flowers.

27. Uvaria

A member of the Annonaceae family, Uvaria is a genus of shrubs and trees found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Species are grown for their fragrant flowers, ornamental appeal, and medicinal uses. Leaves are often glossy and evergreen.

28. Upas Tree

Antiaris toxicaria, known as the upas tree, is a tropical evergreen valued for its durable, light-colored wood. Milky latex produced by the tree contains the cardiac poison antiarin. The upas tree occurs across Southeast Asia, where it is logged for timber.

29. Umbrella Bamboo

Umbrella bamboo (Fargesia robusta) is a clumping bamboo prized for its graceful, arching stems and position sensitivity. Culms emerge in a fountain-like habit, then bend towards the light as they grow. Hardy to zone 6, it tolerates drier soils than most bamboos.

30. Umbrella Plant

The umbrella plant (Darmera peltata) produces large, rhubarb-like leaves that emerge in spring in a circle surrounding the flower stalks. Clusters of small pink or white flowers appear in early spring before the leaves fully emerge.

31. Urginea Indica

Also called Indian squill, Urginea indica is a bulbous plant that produces racemes of white star-shaped flowers in summer. All parts of this plant are considered toxic. It is native to dry, rocky slopes of South Asia through the Middle East.