Orange is my favorite color. I love it in clothing home decor and especially in flowers.
There is something so joyful about a bouquet of freshly cut flowers for a special occasion – and such a bright, sunny color adds a level of excitement to any floral arrangement!
It’s no surprise, then, that orange flowers are often thought to symbolize excitement, vibrance and joy! A bouquet of bright orange flowers with green leaves, for example, wouldn’t look out of place as a graduation gift or a get-well-soon present. In fact, bright orange is the de facto Dutch national color!
Perhaps it’s my favorite color because I love Autumn so much when orange reigns supreme – glowing in changing leaves and, of course, pumpkins. But, luckily for me, there are plenty of orange flowers that bloom at different times of year – not just the fall – from early spring right through to late summer (and in some cases even winter)
Orange flowers make for great floral designs and flower arrangements because it is a color that is usually overlooked in favor of other hues such as white or pink flowers, which are often a florist’s choice options as such colors are very popular for weddings.
But you shouldn’t ignore orange blooms simply because they aren’t the most popular choice in the world of floral decor. You might be surprised at just how gorgeous the different types of orange flowers are!
Here are my favorite 30 orange flowers. Each listed flower includes a photo and key growing information.
Related: Flowers from A-Z | Flowers by Color | Orange Bedroom Ideas | Orange Dining Room Ideas | Orange Interior Design Ideas | Orange Kitchen Ideas | Flower Colors | Yellow Flowers | Red Flowers | Pink Flowers | Purple Flowers | Blue Flowers | White Flowers
Aloe Vera
Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 7.0 – 8.5
Begonia
Scientific Name: Begonia obliqua
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full sunlight to partial shade, depending on the variety
Water Needs: High – water regularly and keep the soil moist
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 10
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.2
Bird of Paradise
Scientific Name: Strelitzia
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
Bulbine
Scientific Name: Bulbine frutescens
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: High – water regularly but don’t overwater
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.1 – 7.8
Butterflyweed
Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.0
California Poppy
Scientific Name: Eschscholzia californica
Type: Perennial but often grown as Annual
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 12
Soil: pH 6.5 – 7.5
Canna
Scientific Name: Canna
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: High – develop well with a good supply of water
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: around pH 6.5
Carnation
Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Type: Perennials
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate – water once or twice weekly
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 6.7
Chrysanthemum
Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: around pH 6.5
Coppertips
Scientific Name: Crocosmia
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate watering until established
Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Cosmos
Scientific Name: Cosmos
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: High
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.5 – 7.0
Crown Imperial
Scientific Name: Fritillaria imperialis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low – needed during dry season
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10
Soil: pH 5.0 – 8.5
Dahlia
Scientific Name: Dahlia pinnata
Type: Annuals
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low until flowers established, maintained with Moderate Watering
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 6.5 – 7.0
Daylily
Scientific Name: Hemerocallis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High – watering is most important during Spring and Summer
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 to 6.5
Gerbera Daisy
Scientific Name: Gerbera Jamesonii
Type: Annual or Perennial, depending on climate
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.0
Helenium
Scientific Name: Helenium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Soil: pH 5.5 – 7.0
Iris
Scientific Name: Iris croatica
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate – water thoroughly when planting
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.8 – 7.0
Lantana
Scientific Name: Lantana camara
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Soil: pH 6.5 – 7.5
Lily
Scientific Name: Lilium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: 5.5 – 6.5
Lily of the Incas
Scientific Name: Alstroemeria
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate – enough moisture until established
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10
Soil: < pH 7.0
Lion’s Tail
Scientific Name: Leonotis leonurus
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 6.6 – 7.5
Marigold
Scientific Name: Tagetes
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sunlight to Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low – once per week but more during warmer months
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.5
Mexican Sunflower
Scientific Name: Tithonia diversifolia
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: Hardy to zone 9a
Soil: pH 6.6 – 7.5
Ranunculus
Scientific Name: Ranunculus
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low – once a week until fall comes around
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
Orange Rose
Scientific Name: Rosa
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Soil: pH 5.5 to 7.0
Strawflower
Scientific Name: Xerochrysum bracteatum
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate – water during dry season
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 6.6 – 7.5
Tiger Lily
Scientific Name: Lilium lancifolium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 4.5 – 7.8
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Scientific Name: Lonicera sempervirens
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High – consistent watering until established
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Soil: pH 3.7 – 6.8
Tulip
Scientific Name: Tulipa
Type: Perennial or Annual depending on the climate
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0-7.0
Zinnia
Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 5.5 – 7.5
FAQs
What do orange flowers mean?
It depends on the shade. Coral roses come in a light, almost yellow-orange, with darker orange edges to define their shape. This orange flower shade means modesty, sympathy and friendship.
Marigolds have a bright shade normally associated with mourning or a wave of grief. Some of its overtones hint at jealousy.
The orange version of the Dahlia flower has a pose that denotes “dignity”, so you’d place them onsite of a new job or graduation milestone celebration. Other meanings of orange flowers mean “ferver,” “excitement,” and “warmth.”
Orange is a bright and fun color. We associate it with diversion, explosiveness, verve, and vivacity. As such, orange flowers are meant to represent enthusiasm and excitement. Are orange flowers the ideal for a funeral or a wedding? Of course not. But for an event or message that is meant to get the blood flowing and show life being lived at full throttle, then orange is the perfect color.
Orange flowers sent to a lover bring along a message of fun and zaniness. If the intention is to make a person smile and laugh at the bright quirkiness of life, orange flowers make for a perfect adornment.
Which trees have orange flowers?
Orange flowers are far from common on trees. You might think that orange blossom falls into the category of an orange tree flower – but it is actually white. It is merely the blossom of an Orange tree (orange the fruit, not the color).
With this being said, there are some trees that bloom orange flowers, and they are all beautiful.
The royal poinciana is a deciduous, orange-flowering tree that can grow quite large- up to fifty feet, in fact. It is also known as the “flamboyant tree,” which says a lot about its debonair appearance. It doesn’t do well in the cold, but thrives in drought-prone areas.
The scarlet wisteria, also known as the rattlebox, is a small deciduous tree that grows quickly and blooms bold orange flowers in the mid to late spring and early summer.
The Fragrant Orange Tea Olive is a hardy evergreen that can grow in USDA plant hardiness zone 7B through to 10B. It can grow up to twenty-five feet in height. Its orange flowers bloom in the fall and winter, and while it is a southern tree, it can survive cold temperatures surprisingly well.
The African Tulip Tree, native to the northern portion of its eponymous continent, can grow upwards of forty feet in height. Its clusters of orange and yellow flowers typically bloom all the way up to late spring.
Which orange flowers do butterflies like?
Flowers favored by butterflies can make a garden more beautiful while helping these gorgeous endangered creatures. Some orange flowers are especially attractive to butterflies.
The Mexican sunflower is a dark orange color and stands out brilliantly in any garden. It attracts butterflies as well as other helpful pollinators.
The aptly named butterfly weed is an orange flower that is also a type of native milkweed. It grows naturally in North America, and getting some growing in a garden is sure to bring the butterflies following quickly behind them.
The buddleia (or buddleja), also known as the tangerine butterfly bush, produces a fragrant aroma that attracts butterflies and keeps a garden smelling fresh.
Do any cacti or succulents have orange flowers? If so, what are they?
There are many types of cacti with orange flowers, among them orange snowball, desert gem, parodia, and the crown cactus. Moon cacti are also often orange, though it could be argued that orange is the color of the cacti and not the petal – so whether or not this can be called an orange flower is open to debate. They can also be found in a variety of different colors, not just orange.
The lobivia jajoiana, native to the north of Argentina, is a prickly green cactus that blooms massive, gorgeous orange flowers. Nights in the deserts of the Salta and Jujuy provinces where this cactus originates can be quite cold, and as a result, this species is remarkably hardy. It can survive in cold temperatures, making in an excellent option for a potted house plant.
The flowering kalanchoe is perhaps the most famous succulent with orange flowers. It grows to be six inches to a foot, and blooms bunches of orange, yellow, or red flowers. It is native to the tropical portions of Africa and can survive with very little water and minimal care, making it a favorite in succulent gardens.
Do hummingbirds like orange flowers? Which ones?
Hummingbirds do indeed like orange flowers, especially those with a powerful aroma or an abundance of nectar.
The buddleja, with its delightful smell, draws hummingbirds as well as butterflies. Its beautiful appearance, coupled with its pollinator-attracting power, makes it an ideal mainstay in a garden.
The trumpet vine or trumpet creeper is sometimes known as the hummingbird vine, and for very good reason. Its brilliant tubular flowers are precisely shaped to be the perfect receptacles of nectar for hungry hummingbirds. It grows quickly, and gardeners should be aware of its conquering tendencies. While a garden full of trumpet vine might attract an impressive number of hummingbirds, it is not likely to encourage variety in the plants that are able to truly thrive.
The trumpet honeysuckle, also a vine, is especially attractive to the gorgeous ruby-throated hummingbird. It is similar to the aforementioned trumped vine in appearance. but grows less quickly and is less aggressive in nature, making it a better choice for many gardeners.
Which trees have orange flowers?
1. Royal Poinciana
The tree survives in warm climates and can withstand drought conditions. Its flowers make excellent corsages, and it’s leaves look like ferns.
2. Fragrant Orange Tree Olive
It has a sweet smell, and the orange flower clusters on it resemble lilacs. It takes its time blooming, and the tree itself grows to 25 feet.
3. Scarlet Wisteria
It grows to about eight feet and has bright red-orange clusters of flowers. Leaves have a resemblance to fern plants.
4. Orange Champaca Tree
The Champaca originated from both India and Indonesia. It has long orange petals that have a tropical feel.
5. Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranate trees have deep orange flowers. The female flowers later develop into pomegranate fruit.
6. Orange Geiger
The Geiger flower has deep and bright orange tones, and its petals curl backward. It has large, coarse leaves and is native to Florida.
7. African Tulip
This flower has a coarse appearance, unlike some other tulip species. Its tree can reach heights of at least 80 feet.
8. Flame of the Forest
Its flowers grow to about 2-3 inches long. Each petal looks like a “hot pepper” or pea pod.
9. Buddleia
This flower originates in Madagascar and often has both yellow and orange hues. The shape appears similar to a corncob.
10. Butterfly Weed
These yellow-orange petals open up from a fetal ball position. They attract butterflies and had some medicinal value, such as the soothing of bruises or swellings.
Which flowers complement orange flowers nicely?
1. Yellow Marigolds
The yellow marigolds against the orange shades have similar hues. You can also combine the marigolds with roses or lily and tulip-style petals.
2. Bright Pink Roses
Bright pink and bright orange flowers usually work well together. Some people even made bold statements with pink roses sticking out of a dark and white orange marigold flower arrangement.
3. White Carnations
White of any flower, including carnations, makes a wise choice.
4. Zinnias
They come in a multitude of bright colors that could add accents to larger flowers. Otherwise, you can enjoy different colors of them together in their standalone bouquets.
5. Green Foliage
Green is opposite to orange on the color wheel, so it contrasts with the orange well. You could try the large tropical leaves, such as the Monstera. Otherwise, a stock or two of ferns and the occasional placement of Aspidistra looks nice in an arrangement.
6. Violets
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Some flower shades have a pastel hue that would match violets on the color wheel. Different combinations of wildflowers have bright and contrasting shades of orange and violet too. Different colors of orange and purple violas also go together.
7. Lilies
Pink, orange, white or purple lilies combine well with large orange peonies, marigolds or roses. You can find solid-colored orange and purple lilies, but you also can find ones that have both colors in them.
8. Red Roses
Red roses complement bright and pastel orange arrangements. Choose the shades carefully though.
9. Peonies
Maroon, yellow or purple varieties would work well with the orange. The trick is to make sure the exact shades look pleasing to your eye. Use your best judgment.
10. Sunflowers
You might not have realized that sunflowers don’t just come in orange and yellow. You can find purple or red ones too.
Do orange flowers attract bees?
Yes, orange flowers attract bees. Marigolds, for instance, do. Beets also like the sweet taste of nasturtium, which comes in orange and yellow hugs, and they like the Black-eyed Susan’s, which sometimes come in orange.
Are orange flowers rare?
No, orange flowers are quite common. You can look up just about any flower and find an orange one for it. There’s at a few dozen varieties, according to most flower shops.
Does aloe vera have orange flowers?
The Aloe Vera flower does not, but the Gold-toothed aloe does in March to April.
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