25 Great Plants That Start With J (2024)

While many of us are content to fill our gardens with things like hostas and roses, others crave plants with a bit more variety. If you fall into the latter category, then learning about new or lesser-known plant species is likely a cherished pastime!

You can search for plants that grow in certain climates or that prefer different types of light. But one of the best ways to expand your horticultural knowledge is to go from A to Z!

There are tons of interesting plants that start with J you’ve probably never heard of! So let’s go through 25 plants that start with J you should definitely learn about today.

Plants That Start With J – Quick Look

Jacaranda Tree
Jacob’s Ladder
Jade
Japanese Blood Grass
Japanese Fern Tree
Japanese Maple
Japanese Painted Fern
Japanese Tree Lilac
Jatropha
Jelly Bean Plant
Jerusalem Thorn
Jessamine
Jewel Aloe
Jewelweed
Joe Pye Weed
Johnny-Jump-Up
Joseph’s Coat
Joshua Tree
Joyweed
Jujube
June Grass
Juneberry
Juniper
Jupiter’s Beard
Justicia

1. Jacaranda Tree

Scientific Name: Jacaranda mimosifolia
Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 10 to 11

The jacaranda tree is a beautiful addition to any subtropical (or tropical!) landscape. It boasts fern-like leaves and clustered purple flowers.

As if the appearance of this tree wasn’t enough, the blossoms are also incredibly fragrant.

2. Jacob’s Ladder

Scientific Name: Polemonium spp.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Jacob’s ladder is the name given to plants within the Polemonium genus. These flowering perennials belong to the same family as phlox.

Jacob’s ladder has clump-forming, upright purple or blue flowers that thrive in shade.

3. Jade Plant

Scientific Name: Crassula ovata
Type: Succulent
Hardiness Zone: 11 to 12

These succulents are one of the most popular houseplants currently being grown.

Jade plants are slow-growers but can reach several feet in height with proper care. Large jade plants resemble small trees.

4. Japanese Blood Grass

Scientific Name: Imperata cylindrica
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

As far as ornamental grasses go, it’s hard to beat Japanese blood grass in terms of vibrancy. As the name implies, the tips of the grass blades are tinged with bright red.

Japanese blood grass can become invasive in many climates. It’s most responsibly grown in containers or well-maintained beds.

5. Japanese Fern Tree

Scientific Name: Filicium decipiens
Type: Evergreen tree
Hardiness Zone: 10 to 12

The Japanese fern tree has no relation to true ferns. However, it’s easy to see how it earned the name — the tree’s leaves look very similar to fern fronds.

While it takes a long time for this tree to reach its full size in the landscape, it can grow up to 35 feet tall and nearly as wide.

6. Japanese Maple

7. Japanese Painted Fern

Scientific Name: Athyrium niponicum
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

If you’re craving something with a bit more variation than your standard fern, the Japanese-painted fern should be at the top of your list.

The fronds of these ferns are variegated, ranging from silver-green to purple in color. Plant alone or with other fern varieties for a diverse, shade-loving landscape.

8. Japanese Tree Lilac

Scientific Name: Syringa reticulata
Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7

The Japanese tree lilac — also written as “Japanese lilac tree” — is a lilac species that can reach up to 30 feet tall at maturity.

Although the white flowers only last for a couple of weeks in early summer, they offer enough interest to make this tree a worthwhile addition to any landscape!

9. Jatropha

Scientific Name: Jatropha spp.
Type: Evergreen perennial
Hardiness Zone: 10 to 11

Jatropha is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees that provide year-round flowers in warm climates.

The flowers (which are typically red) attract a variety of pollinators to the garden.

10. Jelly Bean Plant

Scientific Name: Sedum rubrotinctum
Type: Succulent
Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11

The jelly bean plant is a charming succulent species beloved by houseplant collectors.

Some of its other common names include banana cactus and pork-and-beans. Still, “jelly bean plant” seems the most fitting!

11. Jerusalem Thorn

Scientific Name: Parkinsonia aculeata
Type: Evergreen perennial
Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Jerusalem thorn, or palo verde, is a shrubby, drought-tolerant evergreen belonging to the pea family. Its yellow flowers tend to make an appearance after heavy rains.

Interestingly, this plant’s common name has nothing to do with the city of Jerusalem. Instead, it’s derived from the Spanish/Portuguese word girasol.

12. Jessamine

Scientific Name: Gelsemium sempervirens
Type: Evergreen perennial
Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10

Jessamine — a.k.a. Carolina jessamine or yellow jessamine — is a climbing vine that produces clumps of bright yellow flowers.

It is an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, and fences in warm climates as it does not spread as aggressively as other popular vines!

13. Jewel Aloe

Scientific Name: Aloe distans
Type: Succulent
Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11

The jewel aloe is a small variety of aloe that can be identified by the tooth-like thorns lining the leaves.

These succulents can range from green to pink depending on the amount of sun they receive.

14. Jewelweed

Scientific Name: Impatiens capensis
Type: Annual
Hardiness Zone: 2 to 11

Jewelweed is a North American wildflower that can tolerate a variety of harsh growing conditions. It’s also known as touch-me-not because the autumn seed pods tend to burst open at the slightest touch!

15. Joe Pye Weed

Scientific Name: Eutrochium spp.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Joe Pye weed is a particularly popular perennial for the pollinator-friendly landscape. This common name is used to describe several species in the Eutrochium species native to North America.

16. Johnny-Jump-Up Viola

Scientific Name: Viola tricolor
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

This adorable flowering perennial is also frequently called wild pansy (the two plants are related). Depending on the variety, Johnny-Jump-Up violas can bloom all throughout the warmer months.

17. Joseph’s Coat Amaranth

Scientific Name: Amaranthus tricolor
Type: Annual
Hardiness Zone: 2 to 11

Unlike other amaranths that are typically grown for their flowers, Joseph’s Coat is a unique variety grown for its stunning foliage.

This multi-colored plant is grown as an ornamental annual in most gardens.

18. Joshua Tree

Scientific Name: Yucca brevifolia
Type: Evergreen perennial
Hardiness Zone: 6 to 10

Although the Joshua tree plant is often overshadowed by its association with the Mojave Desert, it’s still a fascinating specimen all on its own!

With that said, no American desert landscape would be complete without this large yucca variety.

19. Joyweed

Scientific Name: Alternanthera spp.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 10 to 11

Joyweed is a foliar ornamental grown for its pink-to-purple leaves. While this plant is technically a perennial, it behaves as an annual in most garden beds.

It can also be kept as a houseplant.

20. Jujube Tree

Scientific Name: Ziziphus mauritiana
Type: Evergreen tree
Hardiness Zone: 6 to 11

Also known as Chinese dates, jujubes are drought-tolerant fruiting trees that stay fairly small when maintained. A jujube tree is a unique addition to any home orchard.

Just keep in mind that most varieties require an unrelated tree to be planted nearby for cross-pollination.

21. June Grass

Scientific Name: Koeleria macrantha
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

June grass is a cold-hardy prairie plant that works perfectly as a garden backdrop. Its seed heads are silver in color, contrasting against the green blades below.

June grass stands up well to deer and other pests. Plant with other North American natives for a classic prairie garden or mix with ornamental shrubs and annuals for some unique texture.

22. Juneberry Tree

Scientific Name: Amelanchier spp.
Type: Deciduous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Juneberry trees are incredibly hardy North American natives that are attractive enough to utilize in the landscape!

Their flowers emerge in very early spring. In summer, the flowers are replaced by dark berries that can be harvested or left for hungry birds to enjoy.

23. Juniper

Scientific Name: Juniperus spp.
Type: Evergreen perennial
Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7

Junipers are evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the genus Juniperus. Juniper species exist that are native to most parts of the world.

A juniper tree or shrub can add much-needed dimension to a front yard or perennial garden. Cultivars are available to suit practically any space and use.

24. Jupiter’s Beard

Scientific Name: Centranthus ruber
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Jupiter’s beard, or red valerian, is extremely attractive to butterflies and other pollinators.

This European native is easy to grow in a variety of climates. However, it is restricted in some parts of the United States where it has invasive tendencies.

25. Justicia

Scientific Name: Justicia spp.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Justicia is a genus of impressive flowering shrubs that attract hummingbirds and other sought-after pollinators.

The most popular type of justicia, Justicia carnea, is commonly known as the Brazilian plume or flamingo flower.