Sow & Tell

Plant guide: how and when to grow 541 plants

How and when to grow 541 plants and more than 6,500 varieties, written in plain words from university Extension and USDA sources. Every page is also in the Sow & Tell app, set to your ZIP code.

Vegetables

Amaranth (greens)Amaranthus tricolor, A. dubius, A. cruentus and kin (grown for leaves)
ArtichokeCynara cardunculus var. scolymus (also listed as Cynara scolymus)
ArugulaEruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
AsparagusAsparagus officinalis
BeetBeta vulgaris
Bok choyBrassica rapa subsp. chinensis
BroccoliBrassica oleracea (Italica group)
Broccoli raab (rapini)Brassica rapa Ruvo Group
Brussels sproutsBrassica oleracea var. gemmifera
CabbageBrassica oleracea (Capitata group)
Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Cucumis melo
CardoonCynara cardunculus
CarrotDaucus carota subsp. sativus
CauliflowerBrassica oleracea var. botrytis
CeleriacApium graveolens var. rapaceum
CeleryApium graveolens var. dulce
Celtuce (stem lettuce)Lactuca sativa var. augustana
Chaya (tree spinach)Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (C. chayamansa)
ChayoteSechium edule
ChickpeaCicer arietinum
ChilacayoteCucurbita ficifolia
CollardsBrassica oleracea (Acephala group)
CucamelonMelothria scabra
CucumberCucumis sativus
Dry beans (pinto, black, kidney, navy)Phaseolus vulgaris
EdamameGlycine max
EggplantSolanum melongena
Endive and escaroleCichorium endivia
Fava beanVicia faba
GarlicAllium sativum
GingerZingiber officinale
Green beans (snap beans)Phaseolus vulgaris
HopsHumulus lupulus
HorseradishArmoracia rusticana
HuauzontleChenopodium berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae
Jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke)Helianthus tuberosus
JicamaPachyrhizus erosus
KaleBrassica oleracea (Acephala group)
KohlrabiBrassica oleracea var. gongylodes
KomatsunaBrassica rapa var. perviridis
LeekAllium ampeloprasum var. porrum
LentilLens culinaris
LettuceLactuca sativa
Lima beansPhaseolus lunatus
Luffa (loofah gourd)Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula
Mâche (corn salad)Valerianella locusta
Malabar spinachBasella alba (including the red form 'Rubra', sold as B. rubra)
MizunaBrassica rapa var. japonica (var. nipposinica)
Mustard greensBrassica juncea
Napa cabbageBrassica rapa Pekinensis Group
Nopal and prickly pear (Opuntia)Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian fig, the spineless crop type) and native Opuntia species such as O. engelmannii and O. humifusa
OkraAbelmoschus esculentus
OnionAllium cepa
Ostrich fern (fiddleheads)Matteuccia struthiopteris
ParsnipPastinaca sativa
PeanutArachis hypogaea
PeasPisum sativum
Pepper (sweet and chili)Capsicum annuum (most sweet and chili types); habanero and Scotch bonnet are C. chinense, Tabasco is C. frutescens
PotatoSolanum tuberosum
RadicchioCichorium intybus (leaf chicory)
RadishRaphanus sativus
Ramps (wild leeks)Allium tricoccum
RhubarbRheum rhabarbarum
RutabagaBrassica napus Napobrassica Group
Salsify (oyster plant)Tragopogon porrifolius
Scarlet runner beanPhaseolus coccineus
SesameSesamum indicum
ShallotAllium cepa var. aggregatum
Sorghum (sweet and grain)Sorghum bicolor
SorrelRumex acetosa (garden sorrel) and Rumex scutatus (French sorrel)
Southern peasVigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata
SpinachSpinacia oleracea
Sweet cornZea mays
Sweet potatoIpomoea batatas
Swiss chardBeta vulgaris (Cicla group)
TatsoiBrassica rapa subsp. narinosa
Tepary beanPhaseolus acutifolius
TomatilloPhysalis philadelphica (syn. Physalis ixocarpa)
TomatoSolanum lycopersicum
TurmericCurcuma longa
TurnipBrassica rapa (Rapifera group)
WatercressNasturtium officinale
WatermelonCitrullus lanatus
Winter squash and pumpkinCucurbita maxima, C. moschata and C. pepo
YaconSmallanthus sonchifolius
Zucchini and summer squashCucurbita pepo

Fruit and nuts

AlmondPrunus dulcis
American plum (wild plum)Prunus americana
Apple (backyard tree)Malus domestica
ApricotPrunus armeniaca
Aronia (black chokeberry)Aronia melanocarpa
AvocadoPersea americana
Banana (dwarf)Musa acuminata and its hybrids (Musa spp.)
Barbados cherry (acerola)Malpighia emarginata (often sold as M. glabra or M. punicifolia)
Beach plumPrunus maritima
Black raspberry (blackcap)Rubus occidentalis
Black walnutJuglans nigra
BlackberryRubus subgenus Rubus (cultivated erect, semi-erect and trailing hybrids)
BlueberryVaccinium corymbosum (highbush), V. virgatum (rabbiteye) and hybrids
Buffaloberry (silver buffaloberry)Shepherdia argentea
CalamondinCitrus x microcarpa (formerly x Citrofortunella microcarpa)
CherimoyaAnnona cherimola
Cherry (sweet and tart)Prunus avium (sweet cherry) and Prunus cerasus (tart, sour or pie cherry)
ChestnutCastanea mollissima (Chinese chestnut) and hybrids
ChokecherryPrunus virginiana
Clove currant (golden currant)Ribes aureum, including var. villosum (syn. Ribes odoratum), the clove or buffalo currant
Cornelian cherryCornus mas
Cranberry (American)Vaccinium macrocarpon
CurrantRibes sativum (red, pink and white currants) and Ribes nigrum (black currant)
DewberryRubus flagellaris (northern dewberry) and Rubus trivialis (southern dewberry)
Dragon fruit (pitaya)Selenicereus undatus (formerly Hylocereus undatus) and related Selenicereus species
Elderberry (American)Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis (American elderberry)
FigFicus carica
Finger limeCitrus australasica (formerly Microcitrus australasica)
Goji (wolfberry)Lycium barbarum (also L. chinense)
GooseberryRibes hirtellum (American gooseberry), Ribes uva-crispa (European gooseberry) and hybrids
GoumiElaeagnus multiflora
GrapeVitis species and hybrids (American V. labrusca, European V. vinifera, muscadine V. rotundifolia)
GrapefruitCitrus x paradisi
Ground cherryPhysalis pruinosa, P. grisea and P. pubescens
GuavaPsidium guajava
Hardy kiwi (kiwiberry)Actinidia arguta and Actinidia kolomikta
Haskap (honeyberry)Lonicera caerulea
Hazelnut (filbert)Corylus americana (American hazelnut), Corylus avellana (European hazelnut) and their hybrids
Highbush cranberry (American cranberrybush)Viburnum trilobum (syn. Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
Huckleberry (western mountain huckleberry)Vaccinium membranaceum (black, thinleaf or mountain huckleberry) and kin such as Cascade huckleberry (V. deliciosum)
JaboticabaPlinia cauliflora (syn. Myrciaria cauliflora) and related Plinia and Myrciaria species
JostaberryRibes x nidigrolaria (black currant x gooseberry)
JujubeZiziphus jujuba
KumquatCitrus japonica (Fortunella spp.)
LemonCitrus limon
Lime (key and Persian)Citrus aurantiifolia (key lime); Citrus × latifolia (Persian lime)
LingonberryVaccinium vitis-idaea
LoquatEriobotrya japonica
LycheeLitchi chinensis
Makrut limeCitrus hystrix
Mamey sapotePouteria sapota
Mandarin (satsuma, clementine, tangerine)Citrus reticulata and hybrids
MangoMangifera indica
MayhawCrataegus aestivalis (eastern mayhaw), C. opaca (western mayhaw) and C. rufula
Maypop (purple passionflower)Passiflora incarnata
MedlarMespilus germanica (syn. Crataegus germanica)
Meyer lemonCitrus × meyeri
Miracle fruitSynsepalum dulcificum
Mulberry (red and black)Morus rubra (red mulberry) and Morus nigra (black mulberry)
Nanking cherryPrunus tomentosa
Natal plum (carissa)Carissa macrocarpa (syn. C. grandiflora)
OliveOlea europaea
Orange and blood orangeCitrus x sinensis
PapayaCarica papaya
Passion fruitPassiflora edulis (purple passion fruit; the yellow form is P. edulis f. flavicarpa)
PawpawAsimina triloba
PeachPrunus persica
PearPyrus communis (European pear) and Asian pears (Pyrus spp.)
PecanCarya illinoinensis
Persimmon (American and Asian)Diospyros virginiana (American persimmon) and Diospyros kaki (Asian persimmon)
PineappleAnanas comosus
Pineapple guava (feijoa)Acca sellowiana (syn. Feijoa sellowiana)
PlumPrunus domestica (European plum), plus Japanese, American and hybrid plums (Prunus spp.)
PomegranatePunica granatum
QuinceCydonia oblonga
RaspberryRubus idaeus (red), Rubus occidentalis (black)
SalmonberryRubus spectabilis
Schisandra (magnolia vine)Schisandra chinensis
Sea buckthorn (seaberry)Hippophae rhamnoides
Serviceberry (juneberry, saskatoon)Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon) and other Amelanchier species
Starfruit (carambola)Averrhoa carambola
StrawberryFragaria x ananassa
Surinam cherryEugenia uniflora
TamarindTamarindus indica
Tejocote (Mexican hawthorn)Crataegus mexicana (syn. C. pubescens)
ThimbleberryRubus parviflorus
White sapoteCasimiroa edulis (also the woolly-leaf C. tetrameria and hybrids)

Herbs

AngelicaAngelica archangelica
AnisePimpinella anisum
BasilOcimum basilicum
Bay laurelLaurus nobilis
CarawayCarum carvi
CatnipNepeta cataria
Chamomile (German)Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile); Roman chamomile is Chamaemelum nobile
ChervilAnthriscus cerefolium
ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
Cilantro (coriander)Coriandrum sativum
CulantroEryngium foetidum
Curry plantHelichrysum italicum
DillAnethum graveolens
EpazoteDysphania ambrosioides
FennelFoeniculum vulgare (herb fennel and Florence or bulb fennel)
FenugreekTrigonella foenum-graecum
Hoja santaPiper auritum
Holy basil (tulsi)Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. O. sanctum)
HorehoundMarrubium vulgare
HyssopHyssopus officinalis
Lavender (English)Lavandula angustifolia
Lemon balmMelissa officinalis
Lemon verbenaAloysia citrodora (syn. A. triphylla, A. citriodora)
LemongrassCymbopogon citratus
LovageLevisticum officinale
Mexican mint marigold (Texas tarragon)Tagetes lucida
MintMentha species (peppermint Mentha x piperita, spearmint M. spicata)
OreganoOriganum vulgare
PápaloPorophyllum ruderale subsp. macrocephalum
ParsleyPetroselinum crispum
Perilla (shiso)Perilla frutescens
Pineapple sageSalvia elegans
PipichaPorophyllum linaria (also sold as P. tagetoides)
Roselle (Florida cranberry)Hibiscus sabdariffa
RosemarySalvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis)
Saffron crocusCrocus sativus
SageSalvia officinalis
Salad burnetSanguisorba minor
Santolina (lavender cotton)Santolina chamaecyparissus
Savory (summer and winter)Satureja hortensis and S. montana
SteviaStevia rebaudiana
Sweet marjoramOriganum majorana
Tarragon (French)Artemisia dracunculus 'Sativa' (French tarragon)
ThymeThymus vulgaris
Vietnamese corianderPersicaria odorata (syn. Polygonum odoratum)

Flowers and bulbs

Ageratum (floss flower)Ageratum houstonianum
Amsonia (bluestar)Amsonia tabernaemontana (eastern or willowleaf bluestar) and A. hubrichtii (Arkansas or threadleaf bluestar); also fringed bluestar (A. ciliata) and hybrids
Anemone (windflower)Anemone coronaria (poppy anemone), A. blanda (Grecian windflower) and Japanese anemones (A. x hybrida, A. hupehensis; now often placed in Eriocapitella)
Angelonia (summer snapdragon)Angelonia angustifolia
Anise hyssopAgastache foeniculum
Apothecary roseRosa gallica 'Officinalis'
AsterSymphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster), S. novi-belgii (New York aster) and relatives; also Aster x frikartii (Frikart's aster)
Astilbe (false spirea)Astilbe x arendsii and other Astilbe hybrids
AzaleaRhododendron species and hybrids (evergreen azaleas and deciduous native azaleas)
Baby's breathGypsophila paniculata (perennial baby's breath) and Gypsophila elegans (annual baby's breath)
Bachelor's button (cornflower)Centaurea cyanus
Baptisia (false indigo)Baptisia australis (blue false indigo, incl. dwarf var. minor) and hybrids such as 'Purple Smoke', the Prairieblues and Decadence series; white false indigo (B. alba) and yellow B. sphaerocarpa are close kin used in many hybrids
Bee balmMonarda didyma (scarlet bee balm) and Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
BegoniaBegonia × semperflorens-cultorum (wax begonia), B. × tuberhybrida (tuberous begonia), B. rex hybrids (Rex or painted-leaf begonia), B. × hybrida 'Dragon Wing' and kin
Black-eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan vineThunbergia alata
Blanket flower (gaillardia)Gaillardia x grandiflora (hybrid of G. aristata and G. pulchella); also G. aristata and the annual G. pulchella
Blazing star (liatris)Liatris spicata (dense blazing star, gayfeather) and relatives such as L. ligulistylis and L. aspera
Bleeding heartLamprocapnos spectabilis (old-fashioned bleeding heart, formerly Dicentra spectabilis); native Dicentra eximia, D. formosa and D. cucullaria
BloodrootSanguinaria canadensis
Blue vervainVerbena hastata
BorageBorago officinalis
BougainvilleaBougainvillea glabra, B. spectabilis and hybrids
Buckwheat (flowering cover crop)Fagopyrum esculentum
Butterfly bushBuddleja davidii
ButtonbushCephalanthus occidentalis
Calendula (pot marigold)Calendula officinalis
Calibrachoa (million bells)Calibrachoa x hybrida
California poppyEschscholzia californica
Calla lilyZantedeschia aethiopica (white calla) and colored calla hybrids (Zantedeschia spp.)
CamelliaCamellia japonica, C. sasanqua and hybrids
CannaCanna x generalis (garden cannas) and Canna indica
Cape plumbagoPlumbago auriculata (formerly P. capensis)
Cardinal climber and cypress vineIpomoea x multifida (cardinal climber) and Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine)
Cardinal flowerLobelia cardinalis
CatmintNepeta x faassenii and related garden catmints (N. racemosa, N. grandiflora, N. subsessilis and hybrids such as 'Walker's Low' and 'Six Hills Giant')
Celandine poppy (wood poppy)Stylophorum diphyllum
CelosiaCelosia argentea (plume group, once C. plumosa; crested cockscomb group, once C. cristata); wheat celosia C. spicata
Chrysanthemum (garden mum)Chrysanthemum x morifolium
ClematisClematis spp. and hybrids
Cleome (spider flower)Cleome houtteana (syn. C. hassleriana)
ColumbineAquilegia spp. (incl. native eastern red columbine A. canadensis, Rocky Mountain columbine A. caerulea, European A. vulgaris and hybrids)
Coral bells (heuchera)Heuchera spp. (incl. H. sanguinea, H. americana, H. villosa and hybrids)
Coreopsis (tickseed)Coreopsis lanceolata and other Coreopsis species
CosmosCosmos bipinnatus (garden cosmos); some listed varieties are sulphur cosmos (C. sulphureus) or chocolate cosmos (C. atrosanguineus)
Crape myrtleLagerstroemia indica and hybrids
Creeping phlox (moss phlox)Phlox subulata
CrocusCrocus species (C. vernus, C. chrysanthus, C. tommasinianus and others; saffron is C. sativus)
Culver's rootVeronicastrum virginicum
Cuphea (cigar plant and kin)Cuphea spp. (cigar plant C. ignea, bat-face cuphea C. llavea, Mexican heather C. hyssopifolia and hybrids)
DaffodilNarcissus species and hybrids
DahliaDahlia hybrids (Dahlia species)
Datura (jimsonweed, moonflower datura)Datura wrightii (sacred datura), Datura inoxia (pricklyburr) and Datura stramonium (jimsonweed); garden forms of the related Datura metel are sold under the same names
DaylilyHemerocallis hybrids (also H. fulva, H. lilioasphodelus and others)
DelphiniumDelphinium elatum hybrids (garden delphiniums), D. x belladonna and Chinese delphinium (D. grandiflorum)
Dianthus (pinks, sweet William, carnation)Dianthus spp. (D. plumarius, D. gratianopolitanus, D. deltoides, D. barbatus, D. caryophyllus and hybrids)
Dutchman's breechesDicentra cucullaria
Edging lobeliaLobelia erinus
Evening primrose (common evening primrose)Oenothera biennis
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium
Flowering tobacco (nicotiana)Nicotiana alata (jasmine tobacco) and Nicotiana sylvestris (woodland tobacco), plus compact bedding hybrids (N. alata x N. forgetiana, N. x sanderae)
FoamflowerTiarella cordifolia
Forget-me-notMyosotis sylvatica (woodland or garden forget-me-not); also M. scorpioides (water or true forget-me-not)
Four o'clockMirabilis jalapa
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea (common foxglove) and its hybrids, including strawberry foxglove (D. x mertonensis)
FuchsiaFuchsia x hybrida, F. magellanica (hardy fuchsia), F. triphylla and hybrids
Garden phlox (tall phlox)Phlox paniculata
Gardenia (cape jasmine)Gardenia jasminoides
Gaura (whirling butterflies)Oenothera lindheimeri (formerly Gaura lindheimeri)
Geranium (annual, Pelargonium)Pelargonium x hortorum (zonal) and P. peltatum (ivy)
Gerbera daisyGerbera jamesonii and hybrids
GladiolusGladiolus x hortulanus (garden hybrids) and other Gladiolus species
Glossy abeliaAbelia x grandiflora
GoldenrodSolidago species, such as gray goldenrod (S. nemoralis)
Gomphrena (globe amaranth)Gomphrena globosa
Grape hyacinthMuscari armeniacum and other Muscari species (M. botryoides, M. neglectum, M. azureum, M. latifolium, M. comosum)
Great blue lobeliaLobelia siphilitica
Hardy hibiscus (rose mallow)Hibiscus moscheutos and hybrids
Hellebore (Lenten rose)Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose; H. orientalis hybrids) and H. niger (Christmas rose)
HepaticaHepatica americana (round-lobed hepatica) and H. acutiloba (sharp-lobed hepatica, also listed as H. americana var. acuta); also filed under Anemone
HollyhockAlcea rosea
HyacinthHyacinthus orientalis (Dutch or garden hyacinth), including Roman hyacinth (H. orientalis var. albulus)
Hyacinth beanLablab purpureus (syn. Dolichos lablab)
HydrangeaHydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf: mophead and lacecap), H. arborescens (smooth), H. quercifolia (oakleaf), H. serrata (mountain)
Hydrangea tree (panicle hydrangea)Hydrangea paniculata
ImpatiensImpatiens walleriana (garden impatiens, busy Lizzie), I. hawkeri (New Guinea impatiens) and interspecific hybrids such as SunPatiens
IrisIris x germanica (bearded iris), I. sibirica (Siberian), I. ensata (Japanese), Louisiana irises and others
IronweedVernonia noveboracensis (New York ironweed), V. fasciculata (prairie ironweed) and V. lettermannii (narrowleaf or Letterman's ironweed, incl. 'Iron Butterfly'), plus hybrids such as 'Summer's Swan Song'
Jack-in-the-pulpitArisaema triphyllum
Jacob's ladderPolemonium reptans (Greek valerian, native Jacob's ladder) and P. caeruleum (European Jacob's ladder), plus hybrids such as 'Heaven Scent'
Joe-Pye weedEutrochium purpureum, E. maculatum, E. fistulosum and E. dubium (formerly Eupatorium)
Lantana (garden)Lantana camara and hybrids
Larkspur (annual larkspur)Consolida ajacis (rocket larkspur, formerly C. ambigua or Delphinium ajacis) and C. regalis (branched or field larkspur)
Lavatera (annual mallow)Malva trimestris (formerly Lavatera trimestris)
LilacSyringa vulgaris (common lilac) and other Syringa species and hybrids
Lily (Lilium)Lilium species and hybrids (Asiatic, Oriental, trumpet, Orienpet, Easter and others)
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)Pulmonaria saccharata, P. officinalis, P. longifolia and hybrids
Lupine (and Texas bluebonnet)Lupinus polyphyllus hybrids (Russell lupines), L. texensis (Texas bluebonnet), L. perennis (sundial lupine) and others
MandevillaMandevilla spp. and hybrids (incl. M. x amabilis, M. sanderi, M. boliviensis; the former Dipladenia)
MarigoldTagetes patula (French marigold) and T. erecta (African marigold)
Marsh mallowAlthaea officinalis
MayapplePodophyllum peltatum
Mexican hat (prairie coneflower)Ratibida columnifera (upright prairie coneflower), including the brown-purple form f. pulcherrima
Mexican sunflower (tithonia)Tithonia rotundifolia (syn. T. speciosa)
MilkweedAsclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), A. incarnata (swamp milkweed) and A. syriaca (common milkweed)
MonkshoodAconitum napellus (common monkshood, aconite, wolfsbane) and other garden Aconitum species and hybrids, such as azure monkshood (A. carmichaelii)
MoonflowerIpomoea alba
Morning gloryIpomoea purpurea (common morning glory) and Ipomoea tricolor (Heavenly Blue types)
Mountain mintPycnanthemum muticum (clustered or short-toothed mountain mint), P. tenuifolium (narrowleaf), P. virginianum (Virginia) and relatives
NasturtiumTropaeolum majus
Nigella (love-in-a-mist)Nigella damascena
Obedient plantPhysostegia virginiana
Ornamental onion (allium)Allium giganteum, A. hollandicum (A. aflatunense), A. cristophii and hybrids such as 'Globemaster'
Pansy and violaViola x wittrockiana (pansy); Viola cornuta and V. tricolor (violas, Johnny-jump-ups)
PasqueflowerPulsatilla vulgaris (European pasqueflower; formerly Anemone pulsatilla) and P. patens (eastern or American pasqueflower)
Penstemon (beardtongue)Penstemon spp. (e.g. P. barbatus, P. eatonii, P. digitalis, P. strictus and garden hybrids)
Pentas (Egyptian star flower)Pentas lanceolata
PeonyPaeonia lactiflora and hybrids (herbaceous); P. suffruticosa and hybrids (tree peonies); Itoh (intersectional) hybrids
PetuniaPetunia x hybrida
Phacelia (lacy phacelia)Phacelia tanacetifolia
Poppy (Oriental, Iceland, corn and breadseed poppies)Papaver orientale (Oriental poppy), P. nudicaule (Iceland poppy), P. rhoeas (corn, field, Flanders or Shirley poppy), P. somniferum (breadseed or opium poppy)
Portulaca (moss rose)Portulaca grandiflora (garden hybrids may involve P. oleracea or P. umbraticola)
Prairie smokeGeum triflorum (prairie smoke, old man's whiskers, purple avens)
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris (English primrose), P. x polyantha (polyanthus) and other garden Primula such as cowslip (P. veris)
Purple coneflower (echinacea)Echinacea purpurea
RanunculusRanunculus asiaticus (Persian buttercup) and its hybrids
Rattlesnake masterEryngium yuccifolium (var. yuccifolium; var. synchaetum on the Southeast coastal plain)
Red hot poker (torch lily)Kniphofia uvaria and hybrids
Rose (garden and landscape roses)Rosa hybrids (hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, shrub, climbing and miniature roses)
Rose of Sharon (shrub althea)Hibiscus syriacus
Russian sageSalvia yangii (formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia) and hybrids with P. abrotanoides
Salpiglossis (painted tongue)Salpiglossis sinuata
Salvia (ornamental sage)Salvia spp. (ornamental kinds such as S. nemorosa, S. guaranitica, S. greggii, S. elegans, S. splendens and S. coccinea)
Scabiosa (pincushion flower)Scabiosa columbaria and Lomelosia (Scabiosa) caucasica (perennial); Scabiosa atropurpurea (annual)
Sea lavenderLimonium latifolium (also listed as L. platyphyllum; old name Statice latifolia), the perennial statice
Sedum (stonecrop)Hylotelephium spectabile (showy stonecrop), H. telephium and hybrids such as 'Herbstfreude' ('Autumn Joy'); formerly Sedum
Shasta daisyLeucanthemum x superbum
Shooting starPrimula meadia (formerly Dodecatheon meadia)
SnapdragonAntirrhinum majus
SnowdropGalanthus nivalis (common snowdrop); also G. elwesii (giant snowdrop) and other Galanthus species
SpiderwortTradescantia ohiensis (Ohio spiderwort, bluejacket), T. virginiana (Virginia spiderwort) and the Andersoniana hybrids (T. x andersoniana)
Spring beautyClaytonia virginica
Statice (annual statice)Limonium sinuatum
StockMatthiola incana and hybrids
StrawflowerXerochrysum bracteatum (formerly Helichrysum bracteatum or Bracteantha bracteata)
SunflowerHelianthus annuus
Sweet alyssumLobularia maritima
Sweet peaLathyrus odoratus
Toothache plant (paracress)Acmella oleracea
Torenia (wishbone flower)Torenia fournieri and trailing Torenia hybrids
TrilliumTrillium spp.: great white trillium (T. grandiflorum), red trillium or wake-robin (T. erectum) and toadshade (T. sessile), plus yellow (T. luteum), little sweet Betsy (T. cuneatum) and prairie trillium (T. recurvatum)
Tropical hibiscusHibiscus rosa-sinensis and hybrids
Trout lilyErythronium americanum (yellow trout lily)
Trumpet honeysuckle (coral honeysuckle)Lonicera sempervirens
Trumpet vine (trumpet creeper)Campsis radicans and its cultivars; also the hybrid C. x tagliabuana ('Madame Galen')
TuberosePolianthes tuberosa (now often classed as Agave amica)
TulipTulipa species and hybrids
TurtleheadChelone glabra (white turtlehead), C. lyonii (pink turtlehead) and C. obliqua (red or pink turtlehead), plus hybrids
TwinleafJeffersonia diphylla
Verbena (garden verbena)Glandularia x hybrida (Verbena x hybrida); also Verbena bonariensis
Veronica (speedwell)Veronica spicata and other garden Veronica species
Vinca (annual vinca, Madagascar periwinkle)Catharanthus roseus (formerly Vinca rosea)
Virginia bluebellsMertensia virginica
WeigelaWeigela florida and hybrids
Wild geranium (spotted cranesbill)Geranium maculatum
WisteriaWisteria frutescens (American wisteria, incl. Kentucky wisteria, var. macrostachya); W. sinensis (Chinese) and W. floribunda (Japanese)
YarrowAchillea millefolium
ZinniaZinnia elegans; some listed varieties are narrowleaf zinnia (Z. angustifolia), Z. haageana or the Profusion/Zahara hybrids

Houseplants

African violetStreptocarpus ionanthus (formerly Saintpaulia ionantha)
Air plants (tillandsia)Tillandsia spp. (T. ionantha, T. xerographica and kin)
Aloe veraAloe vera (formerly Aloe barbadensis)
AmaryllisHippeastrum hybrids
Anthurium (flamingo flower)Anthurium andraeanum hybrids (also A. scherzerianum)
Areca palmDypsis lutescens (also sold as Chrysalidocarpus lutescens; butterfly palm, golden cane palm)
Arrowhead vine (syngonium)Syngonium podophyllum (sold as nephthytis)
Asparagus fernAsparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri' (sold as A. densiflorus) and A. setaceus (plumosa fern)
Bird of paradiseStrelitzia reginae (orange bird of paradise); the giant white bird of paradise is S. nicolai
Bird's nest fernAsplenium nidus
Boston fernNephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis' and other cultivars (sword fern)
BromeliadsGuzmania, Vriesea and Aechmea species and hybrids (also Neoregelia)
Cast iron plantAspidistra elatior
Chinese evergreenAglaonema commutatum, A. modestum and hybrids
Christmas cactusSchlumbergera x buckleyi (Christmas cactus) and S. truncata (Thanksgiving cactus), sold together as holiday cactus
Clivia (bush lily)Clivia miniata (also called bush lily or Natal lily)
CrotonCodiaeum variegatum (formerly C. variegatum var. pictum)
Crown of thornsEuphorbia milii
Cyclamen (florist's)Cyclamen persicum
Cymbidium orchidCymbidium spp. and hybrids (boat orchid)
Dendrobium orchidDendrobium spp. and hybrids
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)Dieffenbachia seguine (syn. D. amoena, D. maculata, D. picta) and hybrids
Dracaena (corn plant, dragon tree)Dracaena fragrans (corn plant, including the 'Janet Craig' and 'Warneckii' types once called D. deremensis); Dracaena marginata (dragon tree, now D. reflexa var. angustifolia)
English ivy (houseplant)Hedera helix (Atlantic ivy, H. hibernica, is a close relative often sold as 'Hibernica')
Fiddle-leaf figFicus lyrata (formerly Ficus pandurata)
Heartleaf philodendronPhilodendron hederaceum (syn. P. scandens, P. oxycardium, P. micans)
Hoya (wax plant)Hoya carnosa
Inch plant (wandering dude)Tradescantia zebrina (formerly Zebrina pendula)
Jade plantCrassula ovata (formerly Crassula argentea)
KalanchoeKalanchoe blossfeldiana
Lucky bambooDracaena sanderiana
Maidenhair fernAdiantum raddianum and A. capillus-veneris
Money treePachira aquatica
Monstera (Swiss cheese plant)Monstera deliciosa (sold as split-leaf philodendron, though it is not a philodendron)
Moth orchidPhalaenopsis hybrids
Nerve plant (fittonia)Fittonia albivenis (formerly F. verschaffeltii and F. argyroneura)
Norfolk Island pineAraucaria heterophylla (formerly A. excelsa)
Parlor palmChamaedorea elegans (syn. Neanthe bella, Collinia elegans)
Peace lilySpathiphyllum wallisii and hybrids
PeperomiaPeperomia obtusifolia, P. caperata, P. argyreia and about 1,000 other species
Pilea (Chinese money plant)Pilea peperomioides
PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima
Polka dot plantHypoestes phyllostachya (formerly H. sanguinolenta)
Ponytail palmBeaucarnea recurvata
PothosEpipremnum aureum (formerly Scindapsus aureus)
Prayer plants (calathea, maranta)Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant) and Goeppertia species, formerly Calathea (peacock plant, rattlesnake plant, zebra plant, rose-painted calathea)
Purple heartTradescantia pallida (formerly Setcreasea pallida)
Rubber plantFicus elastica
Shamrock plant (oxalis)Oxalis triangularis (O. regnellii is now treated as the same species)
Snake plantDracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata)
Spider plantChlorophytum comosum
String of heartsCeropegia woodii (sometimes C. linearis subsp. woodii)
String of pearlsCurio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)
Succulents (echeveria, haworthia, sedum)Echeveria spp., Haworthia spp., Sedum spp. and similar small rosette and trailing succulents
Swedish ivyPlectranthus verticillatus (usually sold as P. australis; NC State files the white-edged Swedish ivy under P. parviflorus)
Tropical pitcher plant (nepenthes)Nepenthes spp. and hybrids
Umbrella plant (schefflera)Schefflera arboricola (dwarf umbrella plant, now Heptapleurum arboricola) and S. actinophylla (umbrella tree, now Heptapleurum actinophyllum)
Venus flytrapDionaea muscipula
Yucca caneYucca gigantea (formerly Y. elephantipes and Y. guatemalensis)
ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifolia

Shrubs

American beautyberryCallicarpa americana; the Asian beautyberries C. dichotoma (purple beautyberry), C. japonica (Japanese beautyberry), C. bodinieri and their hybrids are non-native groups
ArborvitaeThuja occidentalis (American or eastern arborvitae) and the hybrid 'Green Giant' (T. standishii x T. plicata)
Bayberry and wax myrtleMorella pensylvanica (northern bayberry; syn. Myrica pensylvanica) and M. cerifera (southern wax myrtle; syn. Myrica cerifera) as groups
BoxwoodBuxus sempervirens (common or 'American' boxwood), B. microphylla (littleleaf and Japanese boxwood), B. sinica var. insularis (Korean boxwood) and hybrids
Burning bushEuonymus alatus (winged euonymus)
DeutziaDeutzia gracilis (slender deutzia) and its cultivars and hybrids; also fuzzy deutzia or Pride-of-Rochester (D. scabra)
ForsythiaForsythia x intermedia (border forsythia)
FothergillaFothergilla gardenii (dwarf fothergilla), F. major (large fothergilla) and hybrids such as 'Mount Airy'
HollyIlex opaca (American holly), I. crenata (Japanese holly), I. glabra (inkberry), plus I. cornuta (Chinese holly), I. vomitoria (yaupon) and hybrids such as 'Nellie R. Stevens'
Japanese barberryBerberis thunbergii
Japanese pierisPieris japonica (Japanese pieris, Japanese andromeda)
JuniperJuniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper), J. horizontalis (creeping juniper), J. virginiana (eastern red-cedar), J. x pfitzeriana and other garden junipers
Kerria (Japanese kerria)Kerria japonica
LoropetalumLoropetalum chinense (white-flowered) and L. chinense var. rubrum (purple-leaved, pink-flowered)
Mock orangePhiladelphus coronarius (sweet mock orange), P. lewisii (Lewis' mock orange) and hybrids such as P. x virginalis
Mountain laurelKalmia latifolia
Nandina (heavenly bamboo)Nandina domestica
New Jersey teaCeanothus americanus
NinebarkPhysocarpus opulifolius
OleanderNerium oleander
Red twig dogwoodCornus sericea (red-osier dogwood; syn. C. stolonifera); the non-native Tatarian dogwood C. alba is grown the same way and is included as a group
RhododendronRhododendron catawbiense (Catawba), R. maximum (rosebay), R. carolinianum, R. minus and their hybrids (large-leaved evergreen rhododendrons)
Shrubby cinquefoil (potentilla)Dasiphora fruticosa (syn. Potentilla fruticosa, Pentaphylloides fruticosa)
SmokebushCotinus coggygria (smokebush); the native American smoketree is C. obovatus
SpicebushLindera benzoin (northern spicebush)
SpireaSpiraea prunifolia (bridalwreath), S. x vanhouttei (Vanhoutte), S. thunbergii, S. betulifolia (birchleaf), S. japonica and S. x bumalda (Japanese spirea)
SumacRhus glabra (smooth sumac), R. typhina (staghorn sumac; syn. R. hirta) and R. aromatica (fragrant sumac) as groups; NOT poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)
Summersweet (Clethra)Clethra alnifolia
Sweetshrub (Carolina allspice)Calycanthus floridus (common sweetshrub, Carolina allspice); hybrids such as C. x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' and 'Venus' are sold alongside it
ViburnumViburnum dentatum (arrowwood), V. carlesii (Koreanspice), V. plicatum (doublefile and Japanese snowball), V. x burkwoodii, V. prunifolium (blackhaw), V. nudum (possumhaw), V. dilatatum (linden) and other ornamental viburnums
Virginia sweetspireItea virginica
WinterberryIlex verticillata
Witch hazelHamamelis virginiana (common witch hazel), H. vernalis (vernal or Ozark witch hazel) and the hybrid H. x intermedia (H. japonica x H. mollis)
YewTaxus x media (Anglo-Japanese or foundation yew), T. cuspidata (Japanese yew), T. baccata (English yew)
Yucca (Adam's needle)Yucca filamentosa (Adam's needle) and Y. glauca (soapweed or Great Plains yucca)

Trees

Bald cypressTaxodium distichum
Black gum (tupelo)Nyssa sylvatica
Bradford pear (Callery pear)Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear; 'Bradford' and other cultivars)
BuckeyeOhio buckeye (Aesculus glabra), red buckeye (A. pavia), bottlebrush buckeye (A. parviflora, a large shrub), and the non-native common horse chestnut (A. hippocastanum) and red horse chestnut (A. x carnea)
CatalpaNorthern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) and southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides)
Colorado blue sprucePicea pungens
Eastern hemlockTsuga canadensis (eastern or Canada hemlock) and T. caroliniana (Carolina hemlock)
Eastern redbudCercis canadensis
Eastern white pinePinus strobus
FirAbies fraseri (Fraser fir), A. balsamea (balsam fir), A. concolor (white or concolor fir) and A. nordmanniana (Nordmann fir)
Flowering cherryPrunus × yedoensis (Yoshino cherry) and Prunus serrulata (Japanese flowering cherry, including 'Kwanzan')
Flowering crabappleMalus species and hybrids (ornamental crabapples)
Flowering dogwoodCornus florida
GinkgoGinkgo biloba
HackberryCeltis occidentalis (common hackberry) and C. laevigata (sugarberry or southern hackberry)
Hop-hornbeam (ironwood)Ostrya virginiana (eastern or American hop-hornbeam)
HornbeamCarpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam, musclewood, ironwood, blue beech) and C. betulus (European hornbeam)
Japanese mapleAcer palmatum (and its many cultivars, including the cutleaf var. dissectum types)
Kousa dogwoodCornus kousa
LindenAmerican linden or basswood (Tilia americana) and littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata)
Oaks (white, red and pin oak)Quercus alba (white oak), Q. rubra (northern red oak), Q. palustris (pin oak)
Red mapleAcer rubrum
River birchBetula nigra
SassafrasSassafras albidum
Saucer magnoliaMagnolia × soulangeana (M. denudata × M. liliiflora)
Southern magnoliaMagnolia grandiflora
Sugar mapleAcer saccharum
SycamoreAmerican sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia, a hybrid of American sycamore and Oriental planetree)
Thornless honeylocustGleditsia triacanthos var. inermis (thornless honeylocust)
Tulip treeLiriodendron tulipifera
YellowwoodAmerican yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea, formerly C. lutea)

Foliage and shade plants

Agave (century plant)Agave americana (century plant) and native agaves such as Parry's agave (A. parryi), Havard's agave (A. havardiana), lechuguilla (A. lechuguilla) and American agave (A. virginica, formerly Manfreda virginica)
Ajuga (bugleweed)Ajuga reptans
Blue gramaBouteloua gracilis (including 'Blonde Ambition')
Brunnera (Siberian bugloss)Brunnera macrophylla
BuffalograssBouteloua dactyloides (formerly Buchloe dactyloides)
Caladium (angel wings)Caladium bicolor (syn. Caladium x hortulanum)
ColeusColeus scutellarioides (syn. Plectranthus scutellarioides, Solenostemon scutellarioides)
Dusty millerJacobaea maritima (formerly Senecio cineraria)
Elephant earColocasia esculenta (taro) and Alocasia species and hybrids; a few kinds sold as elephant ears are Xanthosoma
Feather reed grassCalamagrostis x acutiflora (also Korean feather reed grass, C. brachytricha)
Fountain grassCenchrus alopecuroides (syn. Pennisetum alopecuroides); purple fountain grass is Cenchrus setaceus (syn. Pennisetum setaceum)
Garden ferns (ostrich, Christmas, lady, Japanese painted)Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern), Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern), Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern), Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern)
Hens and chicksSempervivum tectorum (common houseleek) and its many hybrids
Hosta (plantain lily)Hosta spp. and hybrids (incl. H. plantaginea, H. sieboldiana, H. fortunei)
Japanese forest grass (hakone grass)Hakonechloa macra
Lamb's earStachys byzantina
Lily of the valleyConvallaria majalis
Liriope (lilyturf, monkey grass)Liriope muscari (big blue lilyturf) and L. spicata (creeping lilyturf)
Little bluestemSchizachyrium scoparium
Maiden grass (Miscanthus)Miscanthus sinensis
Ornamental kale and cabbageBrassica oleracea (ornamental kale group; flowering kale and flowering cabbage)
Ornamental sweet potato vineIpomoea batatas, ornamental cultivars (such as 'Marguerite', 'Blackie' and the Sweet Caroline and Illusion series)
Pachysandra (Japanese spurge)Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese pachysandra); native Allegheny spurge is P. procumbens
Prairie dropseedSporobolus heterolepis
Sedges (Carex)Carex spp. (e.g. C. morrowii, C. oshimensis, C. pensylvanica, C. plantaginea, C. buchananii)
Solomon's sealPolygonatum biflorum (native smooth Solomon's seal) and other Polygonatum species
Sweet woodruffGalium odoratum (syn. Asperula odorata)
SwitchgrassPanicum virgatum
Wild gingerAsarum canadense (Canadian wild ginger); European ginger is A. europaeum