In misty mountain slopes, coastal fens, and shaded rainforest understories, green-flowered species blend into their surroundings and reward close observers with unusual shapes and subtle tones. Not obvious from a distance, these plants pop up in specialized habitats where soil, light, and pollinators align just right.
There are 24 rare green flowers, ranging from Black Orchid to Widow Iris. Each entry lists Scientific name, Bloom time (months), Rarity/status so you can compare habitats and flowering seasons; you’ll find the full list below.
How can I increase my chances of finding species from this list in the wild?
Focus on the right habitat and season: check bloom months in the table, visit at peak bloom, and learn the microhabitats (wet peaty soil, shaded leaf litter, limestone outcrops). Bring a field guide or photo app, move quietly, and respect fragile sites—many populations are small and easily disturbed.
Are any of these species practical to grow at home or in a botanic collection?
A few can be cultivated, but most need specific soil, moisture, and light conditions and sometimes symbiotic fungi; others are legally protected. If you want to try, source plants or seed from reputable nurseries, follow species-specific care notes, and prioritize conservation-friendly practices.
Rare Green Flowers
| Name | Scientific name | Bloom time (months) | Rarity/status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jade Vine | Strongylodon macrobotrys | March-May | Very rare in cultivation outside of tropical botanical gardens. |
| Green Rose | Rosa chinensis ‘Viridiflora’ | June-September | A botanical curiosity, uncommon but available from specialist nurseries. |
| Green Ixia | Ixia viridiflora | April-May | Extremely rare South African bulb, difficult to source. |
| Sapphire Tower | Puya alpestris | May-July | Very rare in cultivation; a slow-growing monocarpic plant. |
| Malipo Slipper Orchid | Paphiopedilum malipoense | January-April | Critically endangered in the wild, rare and expensive for collectors. |
| Black Orchid | Coelogyne pandurata | June-August | Rare in cultivation; requires specific greenhouse conditions. |
| Green Columbine | Aquilegia viridiflora | May-June | A rare and unusual species, sometimes found via seed exchanges. |
| White Bat Flower | Tacca integrifolia ‘Nivea’ | July-October | The white/green form is extremely rare, a true collector’s item. |
| Griffith’s Cobra Lily | Arisaema griffithii | May-June | Rare Himalayan species for specialist and woodland gardens. |
| Persian Lily ‘Ivory Bells’ | Fritillaria persica ‘Adiyaman’ / ‘Ivory Bells’ | April-May | Very rare cultivar, highly sought after by bulb collectors. |
| Pontic Fritillary | Fritillaria pontica | April-May | Uncommon species, typically found only in specialist bulb nurseries. |
| Blunt Greenhood Orchid | Pterostylis curta | August-November | Rare Australian native, uncommonly cultivated due to specific needs. |
| Purplish Beard Orchid | Calochilus robertsonii | September-January | Rare Australian native orchid, not typically seen in cultivation. |
| Langsdorff’s Tobacco | Nicotiana langsdorffii | July-September | Uncommon annual, but easily grown from seed if you can find it. |
| Widow Iris | Hermodactylus tuberosus | March-April | Uncommon in gardens but available from some bulb specialists. |
| Medusa Orchid | Habenaria medusa | July-September | Extremely rare and highly coveted by serious orchid collectors. |
| Green Birdflower | Crotalaria cunninghamii | Varies (Spring-Summer) | Rare outside of its native Australia; a botanical curiosity. |
| Green Kangaroo Paw | Anigozanthos viridis | August-October | A rare species, challenging to grow outside a Mediterranean climate. |
| Green Pitcher Plant | Sarracenia oreophila | May-June | Federally endangered species; only available from ethical propagators. |
| Green-flowered Passionflower | Passiflora viridiflora | June-August | A rare and delicate species for dedicated collectors. |
| Green-crowned Sea Holly | Eryngium proteiflorum | July-August | Rare high-altitude plant for experienced rock gardeners. |
| Green Hellebore | Helleborus viridis | February-April | Uncommon native species, far rarer in gardens than modern hybrids. |
| Lady of the Night Orchid | Brassavola nodosa | Varies (year-round) | Uncommon for the general public but popular with orchid growers. |
| Sewerzow’s Fritillary | Fritillaria sewerzowii | March-April | A rare Central Asian bulb for the patient, specialist collector. |
Images and Descriptions
Jade Vine
Famous for its spectacular, claw-like flowers in an otherworldly turquoise-green, hanging in long trusses. Native to the Philippines, this vine is notoriously difficult to bring to flower in temperate climates, requiring high humidity and warmth to thrive.
Green Rose
This strange rose lacks true petals; its flowers are composed entirely of green, leaf-like sepals. While not a conventional beauty, it’s a historic and fascinating anomaly prized by collectors for its unique form and long-lasting “blooms.”
Green Ixia
Often called the “turquoise ixia,” this stunning plant produces spikes of star-shaped, metallic sea-green flowers, each with a contrasting deep purple-black center. It requires a dry summer dormancy, making it a challenge for many gardeners.
Sapphire Tower
Native to the Chilean Andes, this terrestrial bromeliad forms a rosette of spiny leaves. After many years, it sends up a towering spike of incredible metallic turquoise-green flowers with bright orange anthers, attracting birds for pollination.
Malipo Slipper Orchid
This prized Chinese slipper orchid boasts a large, apple-green flower with a raspberry scent. Its rarity is due to over-collection and habitat loss, and its cultivation requires expert care, making it a gem for serious orchid enthusiasts.
Black Orchid
Despite its name, the flower is primarily a stunning lime green. The “black” refers to the intricate, dark markings on its hinged lip. Native to Borneo, this epiphytic orchid is a spectacular but demanding plant for advanced growers.
Green Columbine
This petite columbine from Siberia has nodding, bell-shaped flowers of pale green and purplish-brown, which are surprisingly fragrant with a sweet, chocolate-like scent. Its subtle beauty makes it a treasure for woodland or rock gardens.
White Bat Flower
A ghostly version of the common black bat flower, this plant produces large, pale green-to-white bracts that look like wings. Long, trailing whiskers complete the surreal appearance. It needs tropical conditions to flourish.
Griffith’s Cobra Lily
This is one of the most dramatic foliage plants you can grow. It boasts an enormous, hooded flower (spathe) of green and deep purple-brown, resembling a cobra’s head. It is a showstopper for a shady, moist spot.
Persian Lily ‘Ivory Bells’
While the species is typically deep purple, this rare form has tall spires of numerous bell-shaped flowers in a delicate greenish-ivory. It’s an elegant and stately plant for a sunny, well-drained position in a collector’s garden.
Pontic Fritillary
A subtle but charming woodland plant, this Fritillary has one or two nodding, bell-shaped flowers per stem. The large flowers are a soft pale green, delicately tipped and edged in a brownish-purple, making it a sophisticated beauty.
Blunt Greenhood Orchid
This terrestrial orchid has a single, translucent green flower with reddish-brown stripes, forming a hood or “galea” over the column. It requires a symbiotic soil fungus to grow, making it nearly impossible for casual gardeners to cultivate.
Purplish Beard Orchid
This fascinating orchid features greenish flowers with reddish stripes. Its most prominent feature is a labellum covered in dense, metallic purple hairs, resembling a beard, which attracts male wasps for pollination through mimicry.
Langsdorff’s Tobacco
A graceful, branching plant that produces dozens of dangling, bell-shaped flowers in a vibrant lime green. The flowers have a bluish tinge on the inside and are a favorite of hummingbirds. An excellent and unusual addition to any border.
Widow Iris
Once classified as an Iris, this Mediterranean native has striking flowers. The falls are velvety black, while the standards are a contrasting translucent, yellowish-green. It’s a dramatic flower for the late winter garden.
Medusa Orchid
A truly bizarre and beautiful orchid. It produces a cluster of flowers that are primarily green and white, with a lip that is dissected into dozens of long, hair-like filaments, creating a Medusa-like effect. A true holy grail for enthusiasts.
Green Birdflower
Native to inland Australia, this shrub produces one of the best examples of mimicry in the plant world. Its large, greenish-yellow pea flowers look exactly like hummingbirds attached to the stem by their beaks, a truly remarkable sight.
Green Kangaroo Paw
Unlike the common red and yellow varieties, this species from Western Australia has stunning, velvety flowers of pure, iridescent green. It requires sharp drainage and dry summer conditions, making it a prize for dedicated growers.
Green Pitcher Plant
This carnivorous plant is rare in its native habitat. It produces unique, nodding, umbrella-shaped flowers of a pure chartreuse green that appear before the new pitchers. Owning one requires purchasing from a reputable, licensed nursery.
Green-flowered Passionflower
While many passionflowers are large and gaudy, this species offers subtle beauty. It produces intricate, 3-inch flowers with pale green sepals and petals and a filamentous corona of green and white. It is a more refined member of its genus.
Green-crowned Sea Holly
This architectural perennial from Mexico forms a rosette of spiny leaves. In summer, it sends up stems topped with a cone of tiny blue flowers, surrounded by enormous, spiky bracts of a brilliant, metallic silvery-green.
Green Hellebore
One of Europe’s native Lenten roses, this species bears clusters of pure, clear green, bowl-shaped flowers. It lacks the spotting and dark colors of many hybrids, offering a simple, elegant charm for the late winter woodland garden.
Lady of the Night Orchid
This orchid’s spidery, greenish-white flowers may seem modest during the day, but at night they release an intoxicating, sweet citrus-like fragrance. It is an easy-to-grow orchid, making it a rewarding entry into rare plants.
Sewerzow’s Fritillary
This unusual plant has broad, gray-green leaves and a short stem bearing several nodding, wide-open bells. The flowers are a dusky olive-green on the outside and a brighter, tessellated yellow-green on the inside. A subtle gem.
