Last Updated on July 7, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
If there is a set of flowers that will surely spruce up a garden, the indoors and the vases with brightness and natural vibrance, it would be orange flowers. Contrary to popular belief, orange flowers are not just summer flowers.
Some of them bloom through fall and some even thrive during early winter. If you are thinking of donning your yard with bright colored flowers, here are the types of orange flowers which you should know about.
Orange flowers meaning and symbolism
In flower language, different colors mean different meanings. In specific instances, orange flowers have individual meanings according to international florists of myglobalflowers.com.
Generally, since orange is a happy color, orange flowers represent happiness, enthusiasm and being upbeat. It also stands for courage, excitement, boldness, passion and exuberance.
Types of orange flowers
In this list, you will find some famous flowers that you might not have imagined to have an orange variant. Some of them might be totally new to you. Nonetheless, here are some types of orange flowers that you might want to get to know more.
1. Aloe Vera
- Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis
- Type: Perennial
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Order: Asparagales
- Rank: Species
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low
- Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11 outdoors
- Soil: Sandy, well-drained, pH 7.0 – 8.5
- Medicinal uses: skin conditions, superficial cuts
When talking about orange aloe vera, we are specifically referring to the mountain aloe. It is an easy to grow succulent that could really grow tall (up to 10ft). It forms a large rosette at the base where orange flowers appear in the spring bringing a good contrast to its blue-green to silver-gray stem.
2. Bird of Paradise
- Scientific Name: Paradisaeidae
- Type: Perennial
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Family: Paradisaeidae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6-6.5
- Medicinal uses: treat swollen glands
This striking flower is unique for its fan-like foliage adorned with orange, yellow and red flowers which assemble like a crane’s head. It is native to South Africa, loves full sun but could also tolerate up to 10 degrees.
It also makes a good indoor plant. It is the official flower for nine-year anniversaries and it stands for faithfulness.
3. Begonia
- Scientific Name: Begonia obliqua
- Type: Perennial
- Order: Cucurbitales
- Light Needs: Full Sun or partial Shade
- Watering Needs: regular watering schedule, keep the soil moist
- Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained, pH 5.5-6.2
- Medicinal uses: relieve headaches, treat conjunctivitis, peptic ulcers
These are popular ornamental flowers that thrive in well-draining soils and in moderate sun exposure. They are known for their large, double flowers in hues of bright orange, red, yellow and pink.
They cannot survive in windy environments. Some of its famous orange cultivars are Non-stop Orange, Encanto Orange and Picotee Sunburst.
4. Buttercup
- Scientific Name: Ranunculus
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Type: Perennial
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low (1 inch of water weekly)
- Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11
- Soil: pH 6 – 6.5
- Blooms: Summer
- Medicinal uses: arthritis, nerve pain, blisters, skin problems, and bronchitis (source)
This one belongs to the Ranunculus family (composed of more than 500 species). The buttercup is known for its rose-shaped, silk-textured, deep orange, yellow and white flowers. It is a famous stem cut and border flower that blooms the entire spring.
Its most famous cultivars are the Tecolote Orange and Elegance Orange.
5. Coneflower (Orange)
- Scientific Name: Rudbeckia fulgida
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low (1 inch of water weekly)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
- Soil: Well-drained
- Blooms: early to mid-summer
It is also fondly called as sombrero and is known to be the best Echinacea variant because of its lengthy bloom time (from spring to summer) and abundant bright orange flowers, featuring a cushion-like, black-orange, center cone. It is loved by birds who feed on the seeds in its cone.
6. Butterfly weed
- Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6-7
- Medicinal uses: headaches, stomach, flatulence.
It is also called the Butterfly Milkweed or the Chigger flower. It gets its name from being a butterfly favorite.
It is known for its clumped, tiny flowers in a bursting orange color that bloom during spring rested on waxy, sturdy stems with long, pointed leaves. It is lay-lowing and is good as a border plant.
7. Bulbine
- Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Light Needs: Partial to Full Sun
- Watering Needs: water occasionally
- Hardiness Zones: 8-11
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.1 – 7.8
- Blooms: Spring – late Summer
- Medicinal uses: skin conditions
This is a beautiful mixed-container and garden bed plant known for its orange or yellow, star-shaped blooms with recurved tips and sprouting, upward-facing center and stamens which bloom from spring to summer. It is native to South America and is an award-winning flower in the state of Florida.
8. Cosmos
- Scientific Name: Cosmos
- Type: Annual
- Family: Asteraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: High
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.5 – 7
- Blooms: Summer
- Medicinal uses: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.
It is an award-winning cultivar known to be low maintenance and a long bloomer. It has semi-double, bright orange petals which bloom from summer to fall. As it ages and through constant pruning, it will produce more flowers in the coming years.
It is a favorite of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Its most popular cultivars are Cosmic Orange and Bright Lights.
9. Canna
- Scientific Name: Canna
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Cannaceae; Juss
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: High
- Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained, pH 6.5
- Blooms: Summer, Fall
- Medicinal uses: treat menstrual pains.
While it is commonly referred to as canna lily, it does not belong to the genus Lilium, hence, not a true lily. It looks more like hibiscus but with sturdier-looking petals of bright orange hue resting on maroon stems. It is cold-hardy and can survive during winter.
10. California Poppy
- Scientific Name: Eschscholzia Californica
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low
- Hardiness Zones: 6 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.5 – 7.5
- Blooms: Summer, Fall
- Medicinal uses: relieve and reduce pain, nerve pain, sedation, relieve insomnia and mild anxiety.
It is also called the oriental poppy. This herbaceous perennial is known for its upward-facing, bright orange flowers whose texture is like crepe paper.
Although delicate looking, it is actually pretty sturdy for its texture. Other orange poppies are Fireball, Prince of Orange and Champagne Bubbles Orange.
11. Cymbidium Orchid
- Scientific Name: Cymbidium
- Light Needs: Partial Shade, Full Sun
- Watering Needs: frequently (twice per week)
- Hardiness Zones: 5 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 5.5 – 6.5
- Blooms: early Spring
- Medicinal uses: treat cancer, strengthen the immune system, and improve eyesight.
It is also called the boat orchid and is more cold-hardy than some orchid species. It offers a fresh winter view as it could survive until mid-winter (it starts blooming in spring). It is popular for newbie beginners because they could tolerate a wide range of climates and are generally easy to grow.
12. Crown Imperial
- Scientific Name: Fritillaria imperialis
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Light Needs: Partial Shade, Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low
- Hardiness Zones: 4 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 5 – 8.5
- Blooms: Spring
- Medicinal uses: expectorant, cardiac poison, diuretic, emollient and resolvent.
It is a beautiful spring bulb known for its unique appearance. Because it is downward-facing, it looks more like a bell than a crown. It has veined, inner markings with each petal donned with white dots. It is truly a showstopper.
13. Chrysanthemum
- Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Asteraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.5
- Blooms: late summer into early winter
- Medicinal uses: treat chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, fever, cold, headache, dizziness, and swelling.
It is also known as mums. They are popular as accent flowers thanks to their almost symmetrical, spiral-like bloom patterns which blooms during fall.
It is also a natural insect repellent that drives away bugs, mosquitoes and other insects. Its most popular orange cultivars are the Dixter Orange and the Miranda Orange.
14. Carnation
- Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Caryophyllaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate (once or twice per week)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.7
- Blooms: late-spring
- Medicinal uses: treat coronary and nervous disorders.
It is also called Grenadine. Orange carnations are grouped in the perpetual flowering carnations that bloom year-round. It produces large, upward-facing, ruffled petals with fringed tips.
It is a favorite of florists and it is usually arranged with baby breaths. It is a very symbolic flower representing motherhood, gratitude, peace and bravery.
15. Coppertips
- Scientific Name: Crocosmia
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Iridaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate, once weekly (Regular watering in dry periods)
- Hardiness Zones: 6 – 9
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained. pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Blooms: mid summer through mid fall.
It is also known as Montbretia and it is used in hummingbird gardens. These summer-blooming bulbs look like tulips at first glance but it is actually a part of the Iris family. It is a sturdy plant with deep orange pigments popular in flower cut arrangements.
16. Daylily
- Scientific Name: Hemerocallis
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: High (water once or twice weekly for the first growing season)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6 – 6.5
- Blooms: late spring to fall (30 – 40 days)
- Medicinal uses: anti-tumor
It is also known as the Flore pleno. Its large, deep orange flowers emerge from a leafless stalk. It is alluded to the daylily because it only blooms for a day. Its flowers will fade at dusk and rebloom the next day. This happens from early to mid-summer. It is loved because it is drought-tolerant and has minimum care requirements.
17. Dahlia
- Scientific Name: Dahlia
- Type: Annuals
- Family: Asteraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low until the dahlia plants appear, and watering 2 to 3 times a week after established
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained, pH 6.5 – 7
- Blooms: mid-July
This one is also an award-winning cultivar known for its large, showy, peach orange flowers. Its long stems and beautiful double-flowers can last long from summer to early winter making it a favorite of florists and for home vases. Other orange dahlias in the spectrum of David Howard would be Apricot Desire, Mel’s Orange Marmalade and Peaches and Cream
Related: Dahlia flower meaning
18. Gerbera Daisy
- Scientific Name: Gerbera
- Type: Perennial or Annual
- Family: Asteraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate (when the top 1/2 inch of their soil begins to dry)
- Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6 – 7
- Blooms: early spring through autumn
- Medicinal uses: medicinal tea for coughs, bronchitis, and inflammation.
It is considered as the fifth most famous flower in the world although, botanically, they are not considered as true daisies. They are only considered as such because its flowers highly resemble daisies straight up to its mini sunflower-like center.
Gerberas are compact plants that is why they are perfect as vase and garden plants. Its famous orange cultivars are Flori Line Maxi Orange and Garvinea Orangina. It signifies both innocence and cheerfulness.
Read also: 25+ Types of daisies
19. Helenium
- Scientific Name: Helenium
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Asteraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate (Water early in the morning and weekly)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 5.5 – 7
- Blooms: August to October
- Medicinal uses: treat colds and headaches
It is also called as Sneezeweed. It blooms large, showy, red-orange petals with dainty-textured petals, falling back to a protruding center. Unlike the other flowers featured here, Heleniums are mostly orange-colored.
They bloom the entire fall and they are known to be tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions. Famous orange cultivars of the Helenium are Kokarde, Sahin’s and Loysder Wieck.
20. Iris
-
Scientific Name: Iris croatica - Type: Perennial
- Family: Iridaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate (Water regularly; don’t over-water)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.8 – 7
- Blooms:early to mid-March to the very latest (into late June)
It is also called as the maiden orange and is an award-winning plant because of it is a fast grower and a profuse bloomer. It is short-growing with a maximum height of 2ft. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soils and environments.
It blooms ruffled, faint orange flowers the entire spring. Other orange cultivars of Iris would be Grand Canyon Sunset and Acapulco Gold.
21. Lion’s Tail
- Scientific Name: Leonotis leonurus
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low (tolerate long periods of drought)
- Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11
- Soil: Well-drained, neutral, pH 6.6 – 7.5
- Blooms: late summer to fall
- Medicinal uses: headaches, flu, dysentery, chest infections, epilepsy, constipation (source)
They resemble wild flowers adding an exotic flair to the garden. It stands tall, up to 6ft max, with tiny, bright orange blooms, clustered in its slender stem, with sharp thorns through the stem, hence, the name. It is drought-resistant and its flowers will bloom all spring up to mid-fall.
22. Asiatic Lily
- Scientific Name: Lilium
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Liliaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate (use water meter)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained, pH 5.5 – 6.5
- Blooms: spring and bloom well into autumn
- Medicinal uses: treat spider bites, stomach disorders, coughs, tuberculosis, fevers and childbirth pains (source)
It is fondly called as the Fire King because of its dramatic, bright red flowers. It is drought-tolerant, easy to grow and adaptive in a wide range of environments. Its fiery red flowers will bloom from late spring to early summer. The entire plant however, is not feline friendly so keep it away from cats. Other orange Asiatic lilies are Fire lily, Enchantment and African Queen.
23. Lantana
- Scientific Name: Lantana
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Verbenaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low (once per week during their blooming season) (source)
- Hardiness Zones: 2 – 11
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.5 – 7.5
- Blooms: Summer and Fall
- Medicinal uses: oil is used for treatment of skin itches (source)
This one is both a vine and a shrub but it is most popular for being an indoor plant in hanging baskets. It thrives in temperate climates and is a beautiful tropical flower. It comes in hues of orange, purple, red and yellow.
24. Lily of the Incas
- Scientific Name: Alstroemeria
- Type: Perennial
- Family: Alstroemeriaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Average
- Hardiness Zones: 8 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 5 – 6.5
- Blooms: Early Summer to Fall
They are more popular for their name Peruvian lily. They are half-hardy perennials blooming in hues of pink, red, white and salmon orange flowers from late spring to early summer. They look very much like azaleas famous as indoor plants and for bouquet arrangements. It is associated with meanings of devotion and undying love.
25. Mexican Sunflower
- Scientific Name: Tithonia diversifolia
- Type: Annual
- Family: Asteraceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Low (drought tolerant)
- Hardiness Zones: hardy to zone 9a
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.6 – 7.5
- Blooms: ‎summer until first frost
- Medicinal uses: reduce pain levels, gastrointestinal infections, Skin diseases and Urinary Tract infections (source)
It gets its name for being a native of Mexico and Central America. It is essentially a sunflower with down-curving edges, large blooms with yellow/black center and tall growing at 6ft max. It will bloom twice in a year; shortly in spring and through summer.
Related: Types Of Sunflowers
26. Moss Rose
- Scientific Name: Portulaca grandiflora
- Family: Portulacaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low (drought and heat tolerant)
- Hardiness Zones: 10 – 11
- Soil: Dry soil
- Blooms: ‎all season
- Medicinal uses: treatment of hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver with ascites, swelling and pain in the pharynx (source)
It is one of the most heat-tolerant plants available. Because it is short-growing, it is common as a ground cover and a famous container plant.
Its leaves are like succulents and it stems, although tough-looking are a bit fleshy. When planted in containers, its large peach-orange blooms would cascade down making a dramatic effect for indoor aesthetics.
27. Marigold
- Scientific Name: Tagetes
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Low (once per week)
- Hardiness Zones: 8 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6 – 7.5
- Blooms: bloom 45 to 50 days after sowing and continue to bloom until frost
- Medicinal uses: skin treatment, immune-Boosting formula, reduces eye inflammation,…(source)
This one is a famous annual flower. They are known for their flower heads that look like carnation and their ruffled, bright orange petals. It loves being under full sun and blooms the entire summer. It is also a natural insect/mosquito repellant.
28. New Guinea impatiens
- Scientific Name: Impatiens hawkeri
- Light Needs: Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate (when the soil begins to dry)
- Hardiness Zones: All zones
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
Literally native to New Guinea, this one adds a tropical flair to every garden. Unlike common impatiens varieties that thrive in the shade, this one could tolerate full sun.
It is, however, more difficult to grow than the rest. Nonetheless, its bright orange and purple flowers in the spring through early fall will never disappoint. Its famous orange cultivars are the Applause Orange Blaze and the Celebration Orange.
29. Nemesia (Serengeti Sunset)
- Scientific Name: Nemesia
- Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: regularly
- Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11
- Soil: Well-drained
- Blooms: April to June
Albeit small, this one is a very functional plant as it could be used as ground cover, container/hanging basket plant, as edging plant and for mixed borders. They look a lot like lobelias but also of orchids. Its flowers are 3ft wide and the whole plant is 2ft tall. Its most popular cultivars are the Strumosa and Cerulean.
30. Rose
- Scientific Name: Rosa
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate (weekly and two inches a week)
- Hardiness Zones: 4 – 9
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 5.5 – 7
- Blooms: from mid-spring to fall
Orange roses are categorized within the cluster of modern roses because it blooms all season and due to its bright color. It loves full sun and well-draining soils. And although it is not as fragrant as old roses, orange roses are still popular to florists.
Read also: 50+ Types of roses
31. Red Hot Poker
- Scientific Name: Kniphofia
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low
- Hardiness Zones: 5 – 9
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.6 – 7.5
- Blooms: early summer to early fall
- Medicinal uses: urinary tract, ear and throat infections (source)
It is also called the Torch lily. Aside from being easy to grow, they are also attractive to wildlife and are perfect for newbie gardeners. It forms a cone-shaped, orange flower (which really looks like a flaming torch) and grows in a clumping habit. It is stunning for its sword-shaped leaves stretching outward from the base.
32. Strawflower
- Scientific Name: Xerochrysum bracteatum
- Type: Perennial
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low (keep the soil slightly moist)
- Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.6 – 7.5
- Blooms: summer to fall
It is related to daisies but it is distinguishable for being bushier than them. It grows to a maximum of 3ft with rounded, pale orange flowers with fading tints of red and a red-orange center. Other famous orange cultivars of the Strawflower would be the Cockatoo, White Monarch and the Pink Sunrise.
33. Tulip
- Scientific Name: Tulipa
- Family: Liliaceae
- Type: Perennial or Annual
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: Low
- Hardiness Zones: 4 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 6.0 – 7.0
- Blooms: Spring
Orange tulips are beautiful spring bulbs. With its bright color collection, including bright orange, it is now wonder why it is one of the most exported flowers in the world.
Of course, the top exporter of tulips is the Netherlands where you could see a vast tulip garden that blooms year-round. Some of the most famous orange tulips are Orange Princess, Calypso and Orange Emperor.
34. Tiger Lily
- Scientific Name: Lilium lancifolium
- Type: Perennial or Annual
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate (less than 1 inch per week if rainfall)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9
- Soil: Moist, pH 4.5 – 7.8
- Blooms: mid to late Summer
Not only are they tall-growing, tiger lilies are also known for being showy plants thanks to its striking flowers. Its long, sturdy stems hold seven flowers at once.
It has recurved, downward-facing flowers with pale orange stamens and mahogany brown dots all over the petals, hence, the name tiger lily. Across cultures, tiger lilies stand for wealth, confidence and pride.
35. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Coral honeysuckle)
- Scientific Name: Lonicera sempervirens
- Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Type: Perennial
- Light Needs: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Watering Needs: inch of water per week (summer time)
- Hardiness Zones: 4 – 9
- Soil: pH 3.7 – 6.8
- Blooms: late Spring
This one is often used for hummingbird gardens. It is a shrubby vine with salmon orange blooms. It is a beautiful arbor and trellis flower that blooms through summer up to fall. Other famous orange honeysuckles are Mandarin Honeysuckle and Dropmore Scarlet.
36. Zinnia
- Scientific Name: Zinnia
- Family: Asteraceae
- Type: Annual
- Light Needs: Full Sun
- Watering Needs: low (1 inch of water once every five to seven days)
- Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10
- Soil: Well-drained, pH 5.5 – 7.5
- Blooms: June to frost.
The zinnia is a favorite garden flower because it literally provides an explosion of color when it blooms (red, pink, purple, yellow and orange at once). They look like dahlias because of their semi-double blooms.
It is also known for being a long bloomer and for being cold-hardy. It blooms from late spring through the entire fall. Its famous orange cultivars are Orange King, Zinderella Peach and Queeny Lime Orange.
Conclusion
To conclude, the types of orange flowers convey that you cannot just look at a flower and just refer to them as ‘that orange flower’ because they are all unique on their own right.
Aside from that, some orange flowers have so much history and cultural significance that make them stand out apart from their bright colored petals. Hence, in this regard, we must take the time and effort to get to know the flowers that will make it to our gardens. And if you want your home to be bright and refreshing, these types of orange flowers can be your go-to flowers.
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