Flowers are a wonderful way to add beauty and color to any garden or landscape, and there are many different types to choose from.
While some may be familiar with popular flower names like roses or daisies, there are many lesser-known options to explore.
One such category is flowers that start with the letter “K”. From the striking Kangaroo Paw to the delicate Kalmia, there are many unique and stunning flowers that begin with this letter.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, discovering new flower varieties can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Table of Contents
14 Flowers That Start With The Letter K
- Kangaroo Paw Flower
- Kolkwitzia Amabilis
- Knautia Arvensis
- Kaffir Lily
- Kalmia Latifolia
- Kniphofia
- KiwiFruit
- King Protea
- Kobus Magnolia
- Kyushu Meadow Rue
- Kalanchoe
- King’s Mantle
- Keli Flower
- Kiss Me Not Plant
1. Kangaroo Paw Flower
- Origin: Australia
- Genus: Anigozanthos
- Family: Haemodoraceae
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer and Fall
- Common names: Kangaroo paw, cat paw or monkey paw
This is the Kangaroo Paw (Anigozantho Manglesii). It is a large brightly colored flower that has no fragrance. Its flowers are tubular shaped with small fuzzy hairs and it attracts hummingbirds, honeyeaters and other birds as well. Its genus name is Anigozanthos which means unequal, oblique or irregular.
Kangaroo paws do really well in intense heat and direct sunlight.
2. Kolkwitzia Amabilis
- Origin: Eastern China
- Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Genus: Kolkwitzia
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Common names: Beauty Bush
The Kolkwitzia Amabilis is a flowering shrub more commonly known as the Beauty Bush. It produces bell-shaped white or pink flowers in the spring months and the plant itself can grow up to 10 feet tall.
It is native to China and part of the honeysuckle family.
3. Knautia Arvensis
- Origin: Northern Europe
- Genus: Knautia
- Family: Dipsacaceae
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Common names: Field scabious, Field Scabiosa
Commonly found in meadows and fields is the Knautia Arvensis. It is native to Britain and Northern Europe and it can grow up to 39 inches tall. They are known to attract butterflies, bumblebees, flower flies, honey bees as well as other insects.
4. Kaffir Lily
- Origin: South Africa
- Genus: Clivia
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Bloom Time: Usually between Spring and Summer
- Common names: Kaffir Lily, Natal Lily, Bush Lily
Native to South Africa but very popular in New Zealand, China, Japan, and the United States is the Kaffir Lily. It can grow up to 18 inches and usually has clusters of 10 to 20 red, orange, yellow or white flowers. They are easy to grow and can be grown both indoors as well as outdoors.
While they produce beautiful flowers in the spring, you may have to wait 2 or 3 years to see the first bloom.
5. Kalmia Latifolia
- Origin: Eastern North America
- Genus: Kalmia
- Family: Ericaceae
- Bloom Time: Springtime – typically in May or June
- Common names: Calico Bush, Ivy Bush, Mountain Ivy, Mountain Laurel, Spoonwood, American Laurel
Another flowering bush is the Kalmia Latifolia which is native to the Eastern part of North America. It can grow to a maximum of 30 feet tall. You can expect to see flowers in the springtime typically late May or early June.
When it blooms it produces clusters of beautiful, pink, purple, white, or even lavender flowers that attract both hummingbirds and butterflies.
One interesting fact about these flowers is that they have a sort of a springlike mechanism on the stamens. So, when a bee comes to check things out the mechanism is “tripped” which helps to spread the pollen.
You may also enjoy reading: 19 Beautiful Bell-Shaped Flowers
6. Kniphofia
- Origin: Africa
- Genus: Kniphofia
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Bloom Time: Late Spring to early Fall – May to October
- Common names: Tritoma, Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily, Knofflers
All the way from Africa is the Kniphofia. Growing as high as 6 feet tall these produce bold uniquely shaped flowers.
Depending on the variety of flower you can expect to see blossoms anywhere between late spring to early fall. They produce bold-colored blossoms typically red, orange, yellow or cream thus they are appropriately called Red Hot Poker and Torch Lillies.
These flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They will definitely make a bold statement in your garden.
7. KiwiFruit Flowers
- Origin: China
- Genus: Actinidia
- Family: Actinidiaceae
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Common names: Kiwi, Chinese Gooseberries
KiwiFruit are most commonly known for producing that delicious fruit that we have come to love; the kiwi or as some call them, Chinese Gooseberries.
However, just before they bear fruit, they also produce beautiful small white flowers. Typically, they bloom in the spring and the flowers will stay all summer long. The white flowers smell very similar to a lily in the valley.
Usually, it takes up to 3 years or even longer to see the first bloom.
8. King Protea
- Origin: South Africa
- Genus: Protea
- Family: Proteaceae
- Bloom Time: April and November
- Common names: Giant Protea, Honeypot, King Sugar Bush
Native to South Africa is the King Protea.
If fact, it is even recognized as South Africa’s national flower. The plant itself can grow anywhere from 13 inches to 6 feet tall. Depending on the flower it can blossom anywhere between April and November, producing a large flower head that is cream, pink, or deep crimson in color.
Typically the plant starts to flower at 5 or 6 years old and a large plant can produce 6 to 10 flower heads a year.
9. Kobus Magnolia
- Origin: Japan
- Genus: Magnolia
- Family: Magnoliaceae
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Common names: Mokryeon, magnolia kobus, kobushi magnolia, Northern Japanese Magnolia
Native to Japan is the flower tree called kobus magnolia or also known as Northern Japanese Magnolia.
It can grow up to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It blooms early spring producing flowers that are white with hints of pink. What makes this flowering tree unique is that it produces flowers before leaves.
Generally, a tree will not produce flowers until it is 12 to 15 years old.
10. Kyushu Meadow Rue
- Origin: Japan
- Genus: Ranunculaceae
- Family: Thalictrum
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Common names: Dwarf Meadow Rue
Only growing just 4 inches and the flower growing 6 inches is the Kyushu Meadow Rue or sometimes called Dwarf Meadow Rue.
It produces small star-like, white and purple flowers that attract both bees and butterflies. It is native to Japan and commonly found in moist woodland areas.
Even though it might be small, it is still a beautiful flower.
11. Kalanchoe
- Origin: Madagascar
- Genus: Kalanchoe
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Bloom Time: Seasonal
Next up is Kalanchoe which is a native flower from Madagascar.
Kalanchoe is a succulent like plant that can grow up to about 3 feet tall. It produces brightly colored clusters of flowers. Normally, the flowers are red, pink, orange, or yellow. One thing that appeals to many gardeners is how long the blossoms last for. Typically the flowers last for several weeks.
An interesting fact about the Kalanchoe is that it was one of the first plants to be sent to space.
12. King’s Mantle
- Origin: Africa
- Genus: Acanthaceae
- Family: Thunbergia
- Bloom Time: Spring, Fall, and Summer.
- Common names: Bush Clock Vine
King’s mantle is a flowering shrub that can grow up to 4 feet tall.
It can either be grown as a bush or you can train it as a vine. It produces small dark leaves with large trumpet-shaped flowers. The colors of the flowers differ depending on the variety but they can be white, blue or even purple.
While it mainly blossoms in the spring, it can also produce flowers during the summer and even fall months.
13. Keli Flower
- Origin: North and South America
- Genus: Cana
- Family: Cannaceae
- Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
- Common Names: Canna Lily
Native to North and South America, Keli flowers or Canna Lillies can grow up to 4 to 6 feet tall. They typically have very broad leaves with a stalk that flowers.
Keli flowers come in a number of different colors but are generally bright orange, yellow or even red. They definitely will brighten up any floral arrangement or flower garden.
Lastly, because of the bright colors, they attract a lot of hummingbirds.
14. Kiss Me Not Plant
- Origin: Madagascar
- Genus: Euphorbia
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Bloom Time: Spring and Summer
- Common Names: Crown of thorns, Christ Plant, Christ Thorn,
The Kiss Me Not Plant (also known as Crown of Thorns) is native to Madagascar.
It is a succulent shrub that produces clusters of petal-shaped flowers. The body of the plant is covered in black thorns that are 1/2 inches long. It is because of these thorns that many people call it Christ Plant or Christ Thorn.
It will bloom primarily in the spring and summer, but it can produce flowers all year long.
In conclusion, flowers that start with the letter “K” offer a range of unique and beautiful options for gardeners to explore.
Whether you’re looking for a bold and striking statement or a subtle and delicate touch, there is a flower out there that can fit your needs.
By taking the time to research and learn about these lesser-known flower varieties, you can add a new level of interest and variety to your garden or landscape.
So why not take a chance and discover the beauty of flowers that start with “K”?
There you have it! 14 of my flowers that start with k. Now it is your turn. Please share some of your favorites in the comments below.
