Plants That Start With Q - Essential Garden Guide (2024)

Last Updated on April 23, 2023 by Derek

List of plants that begin with Q

We are blessed to live on a planet with such incredible and diverse natural beauty, from oceans to mountain tops, the flora and fauna are as diverse as the landscapes themselves.

There are over 390,000 known species of plants on earth, more than enough to fill an A-Z! It would take a lifetime to learn anywhere close to all of these, but worry not!

This article will delve into the world of plants that start with Q. From tall palms to tiny white flowers, plants starting with Q come in all shapes and sizes, grow in varied climates, and can be found across the globe.

Read on to learn about some of the fascinating plants that start with the letter Q.

Quesnelia (Quesnelia quesneliana)

Flowering with a vibrant intensity, Quesnelia is a genus of twenty-two known species of plants from the family Bromeliaceae. Each of these grows in Eastern Brazil in areas with some sunlight, although they have also been found to grow alongside rivers and streams.

It is named after Edouard Prosper Quesnel, a French businessman, and patron of botany. Bold and vivid cone-shaped rosettes form at the end of their branches, they’re usually pink, red, blue, or yellow, dependent on the species.

An easy plant to grow that is low maintenance, requiring only sunlight and an average amount of water to thrive. The plants also symbolize endurance and hardiness due to their resilience and tolerance to the cold and drought.

Fl. Univ.

Queen’s Cup (Clintonia uniflora)

Native to the mountains of North America and also known as Bead Lily or Bride’s bonnet, the Queen’s Cup is part of the Lily family Liliaceae.

This delicate plant has two or three leaves at the base of its stem and produces a single white flower that has six petals. After the flower is pollinated, the beautiful white petals are replaced by a single blue berry.

A small flower that grows to a maximum of ten inches so is suitable for even the smallest garden space. The plant can live for up to thirty years, though careful and consistent care is needed, and they require moist soil to remain healthy.

Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)

Quince, or Japonica as it’s also known, is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae. Much like their family members, their long stems are covered in spiky thorns, the vivid green leaves beautifully contrast the vibrant flowers.

What is quince fruit used for?

Quince tree flowers can be pink, red, or white. The fruits that grow on the plant are similar to apples and pears, similarly, they are also often used to make delicious preserves, jams, and jellies.

These durable plants are drought-tolerant and are comfortable in both the sun and shade. However, they do require regular sunlight to produce bigger flowers and succulent fruits.

Penn State

Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana)

Also known as the cocos palm, these iconic tropical trees are native to South America and have since been introduced across the world to bring a truly exotic feel to any green space.

They are often part of the romanticized imagery of sunsets, co*cktails, white sandy beaches, and deep blue waters.

How big does a queen palm get?

Queen palms grow to an astonishing height of fifty feet tall, with their long and wide leaves forming huge canopies as wide as twenty-five feet!

They flourish and reach their growth potential when planted in warm climates, though they can tolerate temperatures as low as twenty degrees.

Queen of the Meadow Plant (Filipendula ulmaria)

Commonly known as Meadowseet, this perennial plant belongs to the Rosaceae family and grows in damp conditions throughout Europe, Western Asia, and North America.

The name comes from the Old English words meodu meaning “meadow” and swete meaning “sweet, pleasant or delicious”. It can grow up to around three feet tall and in bloom displays densely packed umbrella-shaped creamy white flower clusters.

Queen of the meadow uses

These flowers can be used to make incredibly sweet honey that has strong analgesic properties. The aroma given off by the plant is sweet and almond-like, making them a fantastic choice to add to your flower bed or home.

Queen of Sheba (Thelymitra speciosa)

Almost as mysterious as its namesake, this rare and unique species is a member of the family Orchidaceae. It is often referred to as the Holy Grail of the orchid family and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia.

Truly a sight to behold, the dark green leaves allow the intense multicolored flowers to take center stage. The flowers look absolutely spectacular, a bold mix of purple and pink, with orange and yellow edges to the petals.

Queen of Sheba flowers are insect-pollinated, and on hot days they will open widely to bask in the sun’s rays.

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)

A species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae that is native to Europe and Southwest Asia, though it has also been naturalized to North America and Australia. Also known as wild carrot and Bishop’s Lace, this perennial plant has a tall, thin, hairy stem that is surrounded by dense fern-like leaves.

At the top of the stem, there is a cluster of tiny white flowers, with a single darker colored floret just off-center.

Is Queen Anne’s lace invasive?

Queen Anne’s Lace plants are easy to grow and require low maintenance, though when planted it’s essential to give them space to spread or keep them contained in the flower bed, as they have an inclination to explore!

Quail Bush (Atriplex lentiformis)

A species of saltbush that is native to northern Mexico and the southwest United States. Growing best in dry and alkaline soils such as dry lake beds, salt flats, desert scrub, and coastlines.

A huge, spreading shrub that can grow up to almost ten feet in height and with an even greater width. Growing this plant requires a good amount of room and suitable conditions like their native lands. They are low maintenance and require only minimal watering to flourish.

It’s dense and packed with branches and gray-green leaves that are rippled along the edge, not unlike a less aggressive holly bush! They are often used in restoration projects due to their ability to attract quails and butterflies.

Queen’s Tears (Billbergia nutans)

Belonging to the Bromeliad family, this plant is native to South America, specifically Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. The Queen’s Tears name comes from the ‘weeping’ nectar that the plant secretes when touched or moved.

The plants are tree-dwelling, as their small roots are used to anchor themselves on trees, gathering nutrients and moisture through their leaves.

This durable and exotic plant excels in warm and humid conditions, requiring partial shade with a little sun to truly thrive.

The leaves are thick, and they arch outwards into a beautiful fountain shape. Their flowers are purple, pink, green, or yellow, and they are surrounded by pink or red bracts. They require quite a lot of room, as they can grow up to fifteen inches in height and around twice as wide!

They are often referred to as the Friendship plant due to the ease of splitting and sharing as new shoots are produced multiple times a year.

Quaker Ladies (Houstonia caerulea)

A perennial herb that is also known as bluets or azure bluets, which is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada. It grows plentifully in a number of habitats including woodlands, meadows, cliffs, and on the shores of rivers and lakes.

The name Quaker Ladies refers to the flowers’ similarity to the bonnets that ladies of the Quaker faith used to wear.

The flowers are delicate and delightful, usually with pale blue petals and a yellow center, though there are pink and white variations to be found. The flowers bloom through spring and into the early summer, a lovely addition to any garden.

Trees that start with Q

• Quercus cerris
• Quercus petraea Willow
• Quercus robur

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a fantastically diverse range of plants and flowers that start with the letter Q. Would any of these look good on your windowsill or in your flowerbed? Here we’ve got you started on your journey of green-fingered discovery, though there are many more plants that start with Q to discover! Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Queen Palms Suitable For Growing In North America?

Although not native to North America, they have been introduced across the region with varied success.

They thrive in Florida and California due to the suitability of the climates and can often be seen lining the streets and boulevards of these states as well as providing a tropical and exotic feel to many homes, parks, and establishments.

Can Quince Fruit Be Eaten Raw?

Although they can be eaten raw, they have tough flesh and are particularly sour, so they aren’t suitable for everyone. Many prefer to cook the fruit and add it to salads as well as use it to make preserves, jams, and jellies.

Are Quaker Ladies Edible?

Everything above ground on this fantastic plant is edible. The leaves and flowers are typically added to salads to bring floral notes and aromas to the palate.

How Do You Grow Queen’s Tears Indoors?

It is possible to grow these lovely plants indoors by planting them in a container that is filled with a potting mix formulated for bromeliads or orchids. If you wish to propagate Queen’s tears for sharing, simply separate an offshoot from a mature plant and replant it in its own pot.