Looking for red flowers for your garden or in your home? We put together a stunning collection of the 30 most popular types of red flowers below. Some are red perennials, red annuals and some are red shrubs.
We organized our list and photos in alphabetical order. Under each listing we include key flower information such as scientific name, type of flower (perennial, annual or shrub), sun needs, water requirements, soil pH and hardiness zones where it grows. Enjoy our incredible, blazing hot collection of beautiful red flowers.
Related: Sun-Loving Flowers | Water-Loving Flowers | Shade-Loving Flowers | Types of Flowers | Types of Flowers by Color | Types of Flowers by Alphabet | Types of Flower Colors
Azaleas
Azaleas can grow up to 8.2 feet tall depending on how you take care of them as they grow. Azaleas will typically bloom spring all the way though summer, hence their popularity.
Scientific Name: Rhododendron
Type: Shrub
Sun: Shade tolerant (under trees)
Water Needs: Moderate – water deeply, but less frequently
Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Soil: pH 4.5 – 6.0
Begonias
Begonias can grow up to two feet tall, there are different species of begonias so this will determine their height. These beautiful flowers will bloom during summer until the soil frosts, this changes from region to region.
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
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts are a very unique type of flower, the names comes from their amazing shape. The color of their petals ranges from pink to red and they grow in the shape of a heart with a white drop-like petal at the bottom. Their blooming season is spring and will stop at the beginning of summer.
Scientific Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Partial Sun
Water Needs: High – water regularly and keep the soil moist
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
Carnations
Carnations are a part of most of our flowers lists because they come in many different colors. These incredibly poplar flowers bloom during the end of spring and will live thought the summer, making them perfect for gardening enthusiasts.
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
Chrysanthemums
This is another type of flower that comes in many different colors, places and shapes. Chrysanthemums where originally grown in China; their blooming period starts in July and will last about 3 months.
Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: around pH 6.5
Coneflowers
Coneflowers can grow up to four feet tall but most of them stay at around two feet tall. These flowers will grow from mid summer to mid fall, or until the soil gets some frost.
Scientific Name: Echinacea
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate – consistent watering and careful moisture management
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Soil: pH 6.0 to 7.0
Corydalis
Corydalis are very delicate flowers that need specific temperatures to grow, they will die during the summer when it’s too hot and they wont survive during winter. The best time for them to bloom is spring.
Scientific Name: Corydalis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Partial to Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate – water enough to keep soil moist
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 7
Soil: pH 7.0
Crocus
Crocus may come in many colors so make sure to pick properly when you are buying them. Their amazing shape makes having these flowers in your garden a priority. They usually bloom during early spring and have a long blooming season.
Scientific Name: Crocus sativus
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.0
Daisies
Daisies are a very popular flower, this is due to their beauty, size (between 7cm to 1.2 meters) and long blooming period. Daisies will typically bloom from spring to fall.
Scientific Name: Bellis perennis
Type: Perennial, but is often treated as an annual flower
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 to 7.0
Dahlias
Dahlias where first found in Mexico and have become their national flower. Their unique shape makes them a very attractive flower for gardeners. Their Blooming period is July to October.
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
Geraniums
Geraniums have many different species, they can be indoor or outdoor flowers but they prefer outdoors. They love to be grown in pots so they are perfect for people with balconies and no back yard.
Scientific Name: Pelargonium
Type: Pernnial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.5
Gladiolus
Gladiolus can grow up to 5 feet tall and you can grow several of them close together to get some amazing views. Their Blooming season is summer so make sure to plant them during spring!
Scientific Name: Gladiolus
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 7 and 8
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
Hydrangeas
While most are violet and white, there are reddish pink varieties.
Common Name: Hydrangea
Scientific Name: Hydrangea angustipetala
Type: Shrub
Sun: Partial shade
Water Needs: moderate moisture
Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Soil: pH 5-6
Height at Maturity: 24-36″
Hyacinths
Hyacinths may come in different colors so they have also made some of our other flowers lists. Their blooming season is spring and can grow up to 10” tall.
Scientific Name: Hyacinthus
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.0
Impatiens
Impatiens are a spectale to see when they are blooming, their colors are very bright and will lighten up any garden. They will bloom during spring and last all summer.
Scientific Name: Impatiens walleriana
Type: Annuals
Sun: Partial Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.5
Iris
Irises are a very popular type of flower but, unfortunately, they don’t last very long so if you are planing on growing them you have to be very careful and plan ahead. They usually bloom during summer.
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
Lillies
Lillies are very popular due to their amazing shape, they are a very popular gift for special occasions. As lilies bloom, their petals extend until they become very big in diameter. Their blooming period lasts from the beginning of summer to the fall.
Scientific Name: Lilium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: 5.5 – 6.5
Marigolds
Marigolds have so many colors showing when they bloom, their petals grow in close clusters that give them a unique shape. Their long blooming season is a dream come true for those summer gardeners, you will have them from spring all the way to fall.
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
Morning Glory
Morning Glories are vines and they can grow up to 15 feet tall, their petals create the look of a trumpet. If you get these amazing flowers. you can expect them to bloom at the beginning of summer all the way through the fall.
Scientific Name: Ipomoea purpurea
Type: Perennial in warmer regions
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.8
Pansies
Pansies can grow up to 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide, giving you some amazing views. Their blooming period starts in spring and ends in the last months of summer.
Scientific Name: Viola tricolor var. hortensis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High – Needs to be watered regularly
Hardiness Zones: 7 and higher
Soil: pH 5.4 – 5.8
Peonies
Peonies can grow up to 4 feet tall, you can plant them relatively close together but remember they are usually tall plants. They typically bloom and the end of spring.
Scientific Name: Paeonia
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Soil: pH 6.5-7.0
Periwinkle flowers
Periwinkles can grow up to 6 inches tall and will have a 2 feet spread so plant them carefully. These flowers can bloom during spring and fall but they are most common in spring.
PScientific Name: Vinca
Type: Perennial
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.5
Petunias
Petunias are originally from South America but they can now be found all around the world, they are very similar to tobacco plants and can even be crossed with them. Petunias bloom during spring and will last all the way to the fall until the ground is frozen.
Scientific Name: Petunia atkinsiana
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.0
Poppies
Poppies are mostly known as the flowers that grew from the rubble in Europe after world war one. These flowers bloom during the summer.
Scientific Name: Papaver rhoeas
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sunlight to Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.5
Primrose
Primoses may come in various colors as well, they usually have five petals and look like rounded stars. A primrose will bloom very early during spring.
Scientific Name: Primula vulgaris
Type: Either annual or perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: High
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.5
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are a very special type of flower that will bloom during the spring depending on the species. It is very common to see these flowers in bouquets.
Scientific Name: Rhododendron
Type: Perennial
Sun: Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Soil: pH 4.5-6.0
Roses
Roses are the perfect plant for gardening beginners, they last from spring to fall. You will have these amazing flowers all summer.
Scientific Name: Rosa
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Soil: pH 5.5 to 7.0
Salvia
Salvias, altho typically used for other purposes, can be a great addition to any garden. Their tall and slender look is very hard to find in other flowers and can improve the look of your garden. Salvias bloom from spring to fall.
Scientific Name: Salvia splendens
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 9
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
Snapdragon
Snapdragons bloom can get up to 48 inches tall but may be hard to grow in dry-hot places, make sure to grow them with damp soil at all times. The best time for Snapdragons to bloom is during spring.
Scientific Name: Antirrhinum
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 8 or 9
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.2
Tulips
Growing a tulip garden has to be one of the most satisfying things you can do as a gardener, these amazing flowers can be grown in very tight clusters in many different colors. They will typically bloom during spring.
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
FAQ
What do red flowers mean?
In the language of flowers, the color red traditionally conveys deep emotions. From the romance of red roses, “O my Luve is like a red, red rose” to the beauty of red carnations and red chrysanthemums for love, in literary circles, red flowers, especially red roses, have long symbolized beauty, intense love, and passion. Red is a primary, solid, and commanding color. This has over the years ensured that red flowers traditionally send a solidly strong message-usually one signifying passionate love. Historically, though, the color red has also generally long symbolized life love, vigor, power, and beauty.
Another view…
The color red can stand for a multitude of things and is very expressive in nature. Throughout history, it has stood for a wide range of things one each end of the spectrum, from love and passion to war and anger. When it comes to flowers, it is symbolized much closer with the former.
Red flowers are commonly used represent love and compassion to the person that is receiving them. They are a deep, strong meaning that shows the person they are thought of in high regard. Commonly, red roses are a gift used to express love to a person, so it is a something that displays a sign of caring.
Which trees have red flowers?
Red flowering trees are a beautiful addition to a yard as they bring a fresh scene of color to any home. Different types of Crape Myrtles are popular due to their resilience. They are a fast growing tree that is also disease resistant and able to withstand drought conditions, making it a popular choice.
Red Dogwood Trees are also very adaptable to most soils and don’t require much maintenance. The Red Knockout Rose Tree is a favorite as it blooms for about nine months out of the year. In warmer climates, the Royal Poinciana is a favorite for areas that will receive a lot of sun. The long lasting red blossoms from the Prairifire Flowering Crabapple make this tree a popular choice for those that also enjoy the changing of the fall colors.
More… Crabapple (Malus sylvestris), Japanese Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles japonica), African Tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), Indian Coral tree (Erythria Variegata), Red Silky Oak (Alloxylon flammen), Red Silk Cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), Scarlet Rosemallow Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp), Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Dogwood (Cornus florida), Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Royal Poincina tree (Delonix regia)
Which red flowers do butterflies like?
Red flowering Yarrows will attract butterflies and produce large clusters of flowers. Chocolate Cosmos produce a dark red/maroon flower attractive to the butterfly that also produce a chocolate-like scent.
The Cardinal Flower is a favorite among butterfly gardens due to their interesting flowering style. Craving warmer areas, the Bottlebrush plant produces a vibrant red flower that is popular among butterflies and other insects. Another great addition to the butterfly garden are the Tall Red Pentas.
Do any cacti or succulents have red flowers? If so, what are they?
Aside from flowers and trees, cacti and succulents can produce red flowers as well. Some common cacti in this category are the Prickly Pear, the Christmas Cactus, and the Claret Cup Cactus. Succulents are common in the home due to their ease of care. Some common red flowering succulents are the Flaming Katy Kalanchoe, the Crown of Thorns Euphorbia, and the Burro’s Tail when it does have a rare bloom.
Why do hummingbirds like red flowers?
Hummingbirds rely mostly on their eyesight as it is their more dominant sense compared to hearing or smell. They are able to see ultraviolet light so colors are a big part of the hummingbirds world.
Hummingbirds are more sensitive to red colors and they appear brighter in their field of vision making red flowers and feeders more attractive to the birds. They are also known to have good memories, so commonly visiting a red flower or red colored feeder could be thought of as a conditioned response by some.
Which red flowers attract hummingbirds?
As hummingbirds are drawn to the color red, many gardens with red flowers will have these as regular visitors. Daylilys and Columbines are great as they have large flowers that last through the summer. Cardinal Flowers and Bee Balms are also a favorite since they are commonly taller and stand out in gardens.
Penstemons and Hibiscus plants are commonly associated with hummingbirds as they provide large flower for the birds to feed. Other common flowers attracting hummingbirds are Peonies, Coral Bells, and the Garden Phlox.
Are red flowers appropriate for a funeral?
Red flowers can be appropriate for a funeral, but its important to note any cultural issues that may arise. With the color red, there are many different meanings that it can symbol so it’s important to research in order to send the right message.
For example, red roses are a way to show love and respect. Red Carnations can emphasize fascination and love. Many times, red flowers will be a part of a flower arrangement as the color is a powerful display and can evoke a deep meaning to those grieving.
Which flowers complement red flowers nicely?
Bring some color to your garden during the spring and summer months by ideally complementing your flowering flowers with red ones. When it comes to flowers and colors generally, red flowers are the boldest and most provocative hue on the color wheel. Red flowers are, ideally, the complementary colors for green, yellow, white, black, lime green, coral, burgundy, orange, blue, purple, and pink flowers.
Do red flowers attract bees?
Red flowers are great for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects to your garden. For example, the Bee balm (Monarda spp) a native North American perennial that has beautiful, fragrant white pink, red, or purple flowers that attract bees. Other red flowers known to attract bees are the red Poppy (Papaver spp.) and the Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.)
Are red flowers rare?
The rarity of red flowers is relative. While red flowers might be typically rare among tomato plants, certain plant species, and altitudes, for instance, this does not necessarily mean they are generally rare. If anything, red flowers are quite ubiquitous or abundant amongst most plant species. This is perhaps because flower coloration attracts animals as pollinators. Red flowers seem especially attractive to birds, particularly hummingbirds. As such, it is actually to a plant’s advantage to be red-flowered if it is to increase its chances of being a pollinated species. So, you will find that, among most species, red flowers are actually not rare.