15 Flowers That Start With I: The Most Iconic Plants

Flower names that start with I form a formidable list. You will find everything you could wish for and your search can end!

These flowers may be native to other places in the world, but with proper care and attention, you can easily grow them at home. Read this article to learn all that you need to about these flowers.

Types of Flowers That Start With I

1. Ice Plant (Delosperma Cooperi)

Ice Plants or Stone Plants are dwarf perennial plants native to South Africa. They produce flowers with thin pink petals and white carpels. They are suitable for use in your flower and rock gardens.

• Size: These beautiful plants grow 3–6 inches (8–15 centimeters) tall and can spread 1–2 feet (30–60 centimeters) wide. You’d surely love to see these beautiful flowers in your garden. 
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: They grow best in warm and dry zones. Grow them in zones 6–10. 
• Humidity: The humidity levels should be below or just around average humidity.
• Light: Grow your stone plants so that they can get at least six hours of sunlight every day.
• Soil: Grow them in a sandy substrate or one that gets dry quickly. You can supplement it with organic matter.
• Watering: Water the plant when its substrate is almost dry.

2. Indian Blanket (Gaillardia Pulchella)

The Indian Blanket plant is an annual or short-lived perennial plant Native to Mexico and much of the United States. It has daisy-like flower heads having red and yellow petals. This plant is in the sunflower plant family. You can make use of this flower as a cut flower.

• Size: The Indian Basket plant can grow 10–12 inches (25–30 centimeters) tall and 6–10 inches (25–25 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the plant in zones 8–10 as it prefers warm temperatures.
• Humidity: So long as you water the plants regularly, humidity is not a key factor to consider.
• Light: This plant should have six or more hours of daily sun.
• Soil: You can make use of loam soil for the Pulchella plant.
• Watering: Water the plant so that the substrate stays moist consistently.

3. Iceland Poppy (Papaver Nudicaule)

This is a beautiful plant that originates from Asia and North America. It has a rosette of pinnately lobed leaves and orange flowers with four flat petals resembling plastic bags. This is a cold-season plant.

• Size: These beautiful plants grow 12–18 inches (30–46 centimeters) tall and 8–12 inches (20–30 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: It can grow in the cold zones of 2–9. It is popular in temperate gardens.
• Humidity: The humidity levels should be around or above average humidity.
• Light: Grow this plant in the full sun. It should get around six hours of sunlight daily.
• Soil: The soil should be rich in organic nutrients, yet well-drained.
• Watering: Water the plant two or three times weekly in the growing season.

4. Italian Aster (Aster amellus)

The Italian Aster plant is a European plant with star-shaped, violet-blue blossoms. The flowers have yellow carpels and make great cut flowers. This plant is herbaceous and perennial. The aster plant blooms from late summer to mid-fall. You can extend the bloom by deadheading the spent flowers.

• Size: The aster plant can grow 1–3 feet (30–90 centimeters) tall and wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the plant in zones 5–8. It grows best at around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Humidity levels should be above average.
• Light: To encourage blooms, grow the aster plant in full sun.
• Soil: The soil should be moderately fertile and slightly moist.
• Watering: Water the flowers when the top 2 inches (5 centimeters) of the soil are dry.

5. Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium Peltatum)

This beautiful Ivy Geranium is a perennial plant with circular to heart-shaped, deeply five-lobed, somewhat fleshy leaves. Its flowers have pink petals and hot pink centers. If you grow in suitable zones, you can grow this plant without any problems.

• Size: The Ivy can grow 1–2 feet (30–60 centimeters) tall and 3–5 feet (90–150 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Zones 10–12 are optimal as the Ivy plant is the hardiest in these zones. It prefers warm regions.
• Humidity: Humidity levels should be kept around 60 percent.
• Light: Four to six hours of daily sun are sufficient for growing the Ivy.
• Soil: The soil should be loamy and enriched with organic matter.
• Watering: This is a drought-tolerant plant. However, ensure that the soil stays slightly moist.

6. Indigo Plant (Indigofera Tinctoria)

The beautiful Indigo plant produces indigo flowers. It is native to tropical regions of Africa, south-central Asia and South America. In the past, people used this plant to make indigo dye. The Indigofera plant is in the bean family. Aside from this plant being a source of indigo dye, you need it in your garden to help enrich the soil with nitrogen.

• Size: This plant can grow 2–3 feet (60–90 centimeters) tall and wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Warm zones such as 10–12 are optimal for the growth of the Indigo.
• Humidity: Humidity should just be around average.
• Light: The plant does best in full sun, but it tolerates partial shade.
• Soil: The soil can be nitrogen-depleted. Just make sure that it is not soggy.
• Watering: Water the plant two or three times weekly in the growing season.

7. Impatiens (Impatiens Balsamina)

Impatiens have a simple look and are decorated by flowers with red, yellow, purple, orang,e or pink petals. The plants are native to Africa, Eurasia, and New Guinea. Other names for the Impatiens plants are Snapweed, Jewelweed and Patience. Please note that you will enjoy the bloom more if you plant mixed seeds.

• Size: The touch-me-not plants can grow up to 6–36 inches (15–91 centimeters) tall; 1–3 feet (30–90 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Zones 10 and 11 for best for this plant as the temperature is just right. Ensure that the plant grows at around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Maintain slightly above humidity levels such as 60–70 percent humidity.
• Light: The plant prefers partial shade as it can get burnt in the full sun.
• Soil: Grow touch-me-nots in nutrient-rich well-draining soils.
• Watering: Water the plant before the soil gets dry.

8. Morning Glory (Ipomea Tricolor)

Ipomea tricolor plants are popular herbaceous plants that can be annual or perennial according to the growing conditions. They produce flowers with pink, indigo, or blue petals and yellow or white centers. These twining plants are native to the New World tropics. The beautiful Ipomea Tricolor has won the award of garden merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. It blooms from early summer to early fall.

• Size: Ipomea Tricolor plants grow to reach 8–10 feet (2.4–3 metres) tall and 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 meters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Morning glories grow in diverse regions. You can grow them in zones 2–12, you only need to get the variety that is suited for your region.
• Humidity: Humidity levels should be 50–75 percent.
• Light: The plants produce brighter flowers in full sun.
• Soil: Ground or hanging baskets.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly-moist at all times.

9. Irises (Iris Spp.)

Irises are popular flowers and the genus has 260–300 species. The name “Iris” is a Greek word for rainbow. These plants produce red, yellow, orange, purple, blue, white, brown, pink, or bicolor petals, depending on the species. They originated from Europe.

• Size: Iris plants can grow up to 12–40 inches (30–101 centimeters) tall and 1–2 feet (30–60 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: So long as you live in zones 3–9, there will be an Iris species for you.
• Humidity: These plants are hardy and can withstand a wide range of humidity.
• Light: Irises can grow in both full sun and partial shade.
• Soil: The soil should be lightweight. If you have heavy soil in your garden, consider growing the plants in raised beds.
• Watering: Water your Irises once every two or three days.

Note that Irises are toxic to pets, so prevent your dogs, cats and other pets from eating their leaves.

10. Indian Pink (Spigelia Marilandica)

This is a perennial wildflower with ovate, glossy, green leaves that are topped with stunning, dark red, tubular (trumpet-shaped) flowers facing upward. This plant starts flowering in June.

• Size: Indian Pinks grow to reach 1–2 feet tall (30–60 centimeters) and 6 inches (15 centimeters) to 2 feet (60 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow this plant in the slightly-warm zones of 5–9.
• Humidity: Humidity levels should be above average.
• Light: The Indian pink plants grow best in partial or full shade. They can get burnt in full sun.
• Soil: The plants need organically rich soil such as loam.
• Watering: Water the plants when the top 2–3 inches (60–90 centimeters) of the substrate are dry.

11. Indian Jasmine (Ixora Spp.)

The Indian Jasmine is an evergreen shrub that is native to tropical Asia. It has large clusters of red, white, yellow, or orange flowers with four petals. The flowers of jasmines have sweet nectars that you can sip.

• Size: This shrub grows 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 meters) tall and 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Zones 9 and above are best for the plant. Ensure that it grows at 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Humidity should be around six percent.
• Light: Indian jasmines should get eight to ten hours of sunlight every day.
• Soil: These plants prefer moist but well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5.
• Watering: Water the plants in the spring and summer months two or three times weekly when they are young. They do not need that much watering when they mature.

12. Spring Starflower (Ipheion Uniflorum)

Spring starflowers are bulbous perennials that are related to onions. They produce star-shaped flowers with six petals that can be blue, indigo, or purple. The petals usually have a black center. Even if the plant looks inactive or dead in winter, it will come back next year.

• Size: Spring Starflowers are small plants and grow 3–6 inches (8–15 centimeters) tall and wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: You can grow the plants in zones 1–9, but they are hardy in zones 5–9.
• Humidity: 60–75 percent humidity is optimal for the plant.
• Light: They can grow in full to partial sunlight.
• Soil: Loam soil is best for these plants.
• Watering: Water the starflowers when the soil has started drying out.

13. Inch Plant (Tradescantia Zebrina)

Native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbeans, this plant has light or dark green or purple leaves with stripes. There are little pink flowers on top. Please note that the plant is toxic, so your kids and pets should not consume them.

• Size: Inch plants can grow 6 inches (15 centimeters) tall and spread up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Zones 4b–12a are suitable for the plant. However, it is very hardy in zones 8–10.
• Humidity: Humidity levels should be above 60 percent.
• Light: Grow the plant in full sun or partial shade.
• Soil: You should make use of a general-purpose potting mix for the plant. To promote its beauty, make use of a hanging basket.
• Watering: Water the plant regularly so that the potting mix does not become dry.

14. Irish Moss (Sagina Subulata)

This is a mat plant that grows little white flowers. It is native to European countries such as Iceland, Spain, Romania, and Sweden. This plant makes an excellent ground cover plant in a rock garden. Please beware of slugs and snails when you grow Irish Mosses.

• Size: This moss can grow 1–2 inches (1.5–5 centimeters) tall, but it spreads indefinitely.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: USDA zones 4–8 are optimal for this plant.
• Humidity: Keep the humidity levels always above average humidity.
• Light: You should grow this moss in full or partial sun.
• Soil: Though it is a hardy plant, the moss prefers loam. 
• Watering: The mat will turn brown when you give it too much or too little water.

15. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja Sp.)

This is a very beautiful plant. It is a perennial or annual herbaceous plant that is native to Alaska, the Andes, and Russia. It produces hot red, orange, or yellow flowers that look very exotic. In this genus, there are over 205 species. You will surely find one that is suitable for your region.

• Size: The Indian paintbrush plant can grow to reach 8–15 inches (20–38 centimeters) tall.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Zones 4–8 are best for optimal growth. Ensure that the plants grow between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (10–18 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: The humidity levels should be around average.
• Light: This beautiful plant needs full sunlight to produce beautiful flowers.
• Soil: A well-drained organically nutritious soil is best for the paintbrush. The pH should be at 5.1–5.5.
• Watering: Always water the plant and never expose it to drought. Water it two or three times daily.

Conclusion

These flowers that start with I are truly interesting and you should plant a lot of them in your garden. Some of them that you can easily grow because of how hardy they are are. These are: Ivies, Irises, Inch Plants and Impatiens.

After seeing too many beautiful plants, it is up to you to make your choice. Which flower will you grow?

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