There are beautiful, weird, wonderful, and unique plants right the way from A to Z. Some have crazy names hard to pronounce, while others have unique uses that vary from culture to culture. . In this article, we will be taking a look at plants that start with the letter W.
If you’re looking to improve your knowledge of plants and want to work your way through the alphabet then you’ve come to the right placeWhether it be wild ginger or weigela we’ve got you covered.
We’ll take a look at what makes each plant interesting and what conditions they need to grow. By the end, you should have a great understanding of what these plants are and hopefully find some you can start planting in your backyard, who knows you may even find some inspiration for uses of the plants you are already growing.
1. Washingtonia
We kick off our list with a large genus of palm plants that grow in the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. These fast-growing fan palms grow tall making them unsuitable for most suburban gardens. Instead, they suit larger properties and parkways.
The solitary stem stands upright with a skirt of marcescent leaves. These palm plants are best grown in humid conditions in full sunlight.
2. Weigela
Weigela is a deciduous shrub that enjoys full sunlight and regular watering. Once dismissed as one-season wonders, weigela plants have become delightful foliage that comes with a variety of beautifully colored flowers.
With repeat blooming you can expect trumpet-shaped flowers pink, yellow, and red in color to reveal themselves. Effective at attracting butterflies, plant weigela in spring and fall.
3. Wasabi
In its native Japan, the wasabi plant is used in Japanese cooking. The thick green root has a strong horseradish taste. It is often eaten in the form of powder or pastes with raw fish.
Part of the Cruciferae family, growing wasabi is extremely difficult. Wasabi requires shady conditions and soil that is perfectly moist but not wet.
4. Walnut Tree
This large spreading tree is perfect for bigger properties. Walnut trees are capable of resisting harsh conditions thanks to their hard, heavy, and resilient wood. Every walnut plant turns into a tall, solid tree that produces delicious nuts in a fleshy husk.
Nuts of native American species have a unique wild flavor. They are worth growing if you want a plant that produces food and can thrive in adverse weather conditions.
5. Watermelon Plant
Thought to be native to northwestern Africa, watermelon is a flowering plant species that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It gets its name from the famous large round, green fruit we all love to eat.
A scrambling vine-like plant, the watermelon is fairly easily cultivated around the world. They need fertile, well-drained soil and approximately 1-2 inches of water per week to grow.
6. Wake Robin
Wake robin is a perennial plant loved by many. Needing regular watering the wake robin plant blooms in early spring. Each stem has a single stunning, delicate flower with three petals.
Typically the flowers are white with a charming purple color towards the center. Plant the thick, fleshy rhizomes in a shady site for the best growing results. This flower symbolizes embodiment and consciousness.
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7. Winter Jasmine
Winter Jasmine can come out in vibrant yellow blooms as early as January. Though its origins are firmly in China, this plant can be cultivated anywhere where winter exists.
Growing in hardy soil exposed to full or partial sunlight the flowers on this perennial shrub have six petals. Other common colors include pink and white. The flower can be used to add spicy flavors to food or for adding a scent to your tea.
8. Wishbone Flower
The wishbone flower is a gorgeous flowering plant native to Africa and Southeast Asia. It is an annual plant belonging to the Linderniaceae family. The flowers on this plant are lovely in blue, pink, yellow, violet, or white.
The head of the flower is shaped like a trumpet and its stamens resemble a chicken wishbone, hence the name wishbone flower. In many cultures, this flower symbolizes happiness and charm. This flower prefers consistently moist and well-drained soil.
9. Wahoo
With a name like wahoo you have to impress, and in all fairness this plant does. The deciduous shrub is native to North America and can be grown in most soil.
Planting in a location in full sun and with well-drained soil is your best bet if you want to guarantee success. At the end of each stem on the wahoo tree, you will find crimson pods containing the seeds.
10. Water Lily
Water lilies are perennials that grow in soil that is fully submerged in water. The lilies’ stalked leaves float on the surface. Glorious flowers then float on the surface of the round leaves or stand tall on stiff stalks.
Tropical kinds come in bright blue and purple. More hardy varieties come in white, yellow, and pink. As well as giving ponds an attractive vibrancy, water lily roots and bulbs are used in medicine to relieve symptoms of diarrhea.
11. Wild Lilac
This evergreen shrub is a versatile plant that will happily live through a drought. Wild lilac is arguably the most beautiful flowering shrub in the world.
With a variety of lush blooms ranging from bright white to shades of deep blue and violet, they are a good choice if you want to add color to your garden. Give them full sun where possible. Excellent drainage also helps. In some cultures, lilac represents magic and spring.
12. Wax Plant
Wax plants are thick with evergreen leaves and small clusters of tiny, waxy textured flowers that appear in the joints of leaves during the summer months. Native to Japan they bloom best when pot-bound.
Never prune the short stalks out on a wax plant because new clusters of flowers will develop. You should feed your wax plant with liquid houseplant fertilizer monthly. The waxy berries and juices from the wax plant stem produce a natural lacquer.
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13. Water Lettuce
Native to more tropical climates this oddly satisfying plant resembles a floating green, loose-leaf lettuce. Each foliage spiral grows to about four inches in length and has a trailing root that acts as the perfect refuge for tiny fish.
Now considered to be a pest in most lakes, the water lettuce can survive temperatures as low as 15F.
14. Wandflower
Commonly found in mountain woodlands in Virginia and Georgia the wandflower is best used as a ground cover despite it spreading slowly. The plant’s main distinction is its evergreen foliage that is regularly used in indoor arrangements.
In the summer stems rise with foxtail flowers with white tips blooming. Wandflower can be easily grown when placed in acid soil that has plenty of organic material.
15. Wrightia Religiosa Variegata
Okay, so this one is a bit of a mouthful to say. Originating in Thailand and Vietnam the wrightia plant is one of the most exciting, gorgeous plants amongst fragrant tropicals.
This intriguing shrub has small lush green leaves, twiggy branches, and lovely white scented flowers. This plant loves sunlight so ensure it’s exposed for at least six hours a day. Avoid excessive use of fertilizers.
16. Warczewiczella Amazonica
Another tough to pronounce plant is the warczewiczella amazonica plant. Surprisingly it is actually a species of orchid grown in South America.
The alien-looking epiphyte is only small in size, growing to 30cm in height. The star of the show on this plant is its unique fan-shaped flower. The white and purple flower with four pointy, yet delicate petals quite frankly looks like something that will try and eat you.
It requires hot climates and plenty of shade to grow.
17. Wallenia Laurifolia
The wallenia laurifolia’s flowers are tiny in size, creamy colored, and delightfully fragrant. Native to the Caribbean this evergreen plant is a hardy shrub with glossy leaves and upright panicles of creamy pale flowers that are slightly yellow in color.
Plant this flower in beds and borders, or containers if you want the best chance of success. Eventually, the plant can spread 4m wide so ensure you give it plenty of space. Also, ensure the soil is well-drained and in full sun or slight shade.
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18. White Lady
This plant has a beautiful tubular flower that looks amazing in a bouquet of flowers or in the home. The delicate white flowers sit in two small heart-shaped bracts and usually have five ruffled petals.
This garden plant is commonly seen in India and other Asian countries but it can easily be grown in the U.S. Blooming all year round the white lady plant symbolizes sympathy, purity, and innocence.
In Conclusion
This list contains just a small selection of plants that begin with the letter W. There are hundreds upon thousands of other plants that start with W out there including Wax Flower, White Leadtree, Whiteweed, Windowleaf, Woodrose, and Wart Fern.
Many of the plants on this list require specific climates and perfect conditions to grow but that doesn’t mean they can’t be grown fairly easily in your backyard if you take a patient and caring approach.
Some of the plants will bring a weird and wonderful look to your garden whilst others will bring a new life and vibrancy. The mass of color and unique tropical look will help you create a garden you can fall in love with.
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