There is a large range of what are considered brown flowers, from red-leaning, and yellow-leaning, to mixed/striped. Read on to see what types of flowers fall within this unique color category.
Finding a true brown flower is incredibly difficult, but if you have an open mind to get as close as possible, you will be pleased with your options!
Brown flowers come in many different shapes and sizes and can be found in various climates and locations. They can grow in fields, gardens, and even in the wild.
While they may not be as popular as other colors of flowers, they are still beautiful and deserve attention. Brown flowers are often associated with simplicity and natural beauty, making them perfect for any occasion.
Whether you are looking for a unique addition to your garden or a beautiful gift for a loved one, brown flowers are a great choice.
Meaning of Brown Flowers
The color brown is often perceived as reliable, strong, and earthy. Brown flowers are most gifted in non-romantic relationships. Consider giving these flowers to close friends, family members, and coworkers if you want to follow tradition.
However, there are no rules when it comes to gifting flowers. If you are in a romantic relationship and believe your partner would love brown flowers, go for it!
Types of Brown Flowers
There are many shades of brown flowers with a range of undertones like yellow, orange, pink, and red. Here is a list of brown flowers with their plant hardiness zone, size, and recommended care.
Absalon Tulip/Rembrandt Tulip
The Absalon Tulip (also known as the Rembrandt Tulip) is a tremendously loved brown flower grown at Mount Vernon. It is one of the rarest tulips and one of the only broken tulips left.
Its petals are described as coffee-brown mixed with yellow, and you can expect to see them blooming in the spring. Absalon tulips take 6 years to bloom from seed, so patience is greatly rewarded.
Please do not ingest this flower, as parts are considered toxic to humans.
Botanical Name: Tulipa ‘Absalon’
Height: 1.5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Regular
Aloe Leafed Cymbidium
The Aloe Leafed Cymbidium is an orchid that can easily be found in Asia, growing on rocks and trees. This orchid can be expected to bloom in the spring anytime between March and May.
Aloe Leafed Cymbidiums are very attractive to pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies.
Botanical Name: Cymbidium Aloifolium
Height: 1-1.5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 9-10
Sunlight: Light Shade
Water: Requires moist/ Well-drained soil
Antler Orchid
Antler orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family and boast up to 35 vivid, leathery-looking leaves. Their flowers are often brownish but can also be green.
Many people love these flowers for their interesting petals, which can be wavy or twisted. So, if you want to stray from more common flower shapes, consider adding Antler Orchids to your garden.
Botanical Name: Dendrobium Discolor
Height: 0.5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 9-12
Sunlight: Partial
Water: Requires moist/ Well-drained soil
Bearded Iris
The Bearded Iris is a herbaceous perennial from the Iridaceae family. It comes in many colors like brown, red, orange, blue, yellow, purple, pink, white, and bi-colors.
These flowers can be found in the Mediterranean and Southern Europe and will bloom year after year if properly cared for. Please keep in mind the Bearded Iris is unsuitable for homes with pets as they are toxic to both cats and dogs.
Botanical Name: Iris Germanica
Height: 1-3.5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sunlight: Full
Water: Requires moist/ Well-drained soil
Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers, also called Gallardia, are herbaceous perennials belonging to the Asteraceae family. They bloom more than once between the summer and fall months.
You can find blanket flowers in many shades of brown leaning shades of red, yellow, orange, and peach. If a true brown flower color is a requirement, these aren’t going to be a top choice. However, you will love these beautiful and vibrant flowers if you’re flexible.
Botanical Name: Gaillardia x Grandiflora
Height: 2-4 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-10
Sunlight: Full
Water: Regular watering with well-drained soil
Boat Orchid
Boat Orchids are fragrant flowers that are native to Asia. They are widely grown in China and are admired for their beautiful shapes. You can find Boat Orchids growing on trees and rocks.
Since these flowers are typically shielded by trees from direct sunlight, you will want to make sure you choose a growing area with similar conditions. Too much sunlight can burn and dehydrate these flowers.
Botanical Name: Cymbidium
Height: 1-4 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Sunlight: Bright, indirect
Water: Regular watering with well-drained soil. Allow the top layer of soil to dry before watering.
Carolina Allspice
The Carolina Allspice, also known as the common sweetshrub and spicebush, is a shrub that sprouts long reddish-brown flowers. Blooms occur mainly in mid to late spring and are tolerant of the occasional drought.
This shrub is native to North America and tends to grow at a slow to moderate rate.
Botanical Name: Calycanthus floridus
Height: 6-9 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial to full
Water: Regular watering with well-drained soil
Carrion
The Carrion is a star-shaped flower plant native to the desert regions of South Africa. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is known to be quite smelly. Depending on who you ask, the scent is described as weird, offensive, or complex.
These flowers are great for containers, so if you are looking for a plant to add to your front or back porch, consider these unique flowers. They will bloom for you mid-summer.
Botanical Name: Stapelia gigantea
Height: 6-12 in
Plant Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Sunlight: Partial to full
Water: Regular, make sure not to overwater. Less is better than too much.
Cattleya Angereri
The Cattleya Orchid is a perennial flower native to Central American and South America. It comes in a huge variety of colors, except true blue.
Some consider these orchids the quintessential orchids and admire them for their vivid colors and pleasant fragrance.
Botanical Name: Cattleya angereri
Height: .25-2 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Sunlight: Partial
Water: Every 7-10 days. Less is better with orchids.
Cattleya Velutina/Velvety Cattleya
Cattleya Velutina is a rare species of orchid with yellow-leaning brown flowers that feature burgundy spots. These shade-loving flowers from Brazil are sure to please with their strong but pleasant fragrance.
You can also find purple, mahogany, deep red, and white in these flowers. Expect blooms around the spring and summertime.
Botanical Name: Cattleya Velutina
Height: 1-1.5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Sunlight: Shade, indirect sun
Water: Every 7-10 days.
Charlie Brown Rose
The Charlie Brown Rose, also known as the Miniature Rose, was introduced in 1996 by Moore. This lightly fragranced rose boasts 9-16 small petals, often with a red blend coloring that can lean brown.
This flower didn’t appear in the United States until 1997 and later in 2010 became known as the ‘Star Ruby’ at Greenheart Farms. You can grow this beautiful mini rose in either the ground or a container.
Botanical Name: Rosaceae
Height: 1-1.5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 6
Sunlight: Full
Water: Unknown
Chocolate Cosmos
While it may seem too good to be true, the Chocolate Cosmos actually does smell like chocolate. This velvet-textured plant has gorgeous maroon petals with a brown center, giving the aesthetic of rich, sweet chocolate.
If you are looking for a showy perennial flower that blooms from mid-summer to fall, consider adding this one to your garden.
Botanical Name: Cosmos atrosanguineus
Height: 30 inches
Plant Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Sunlight: Full
Water: Regular watering
Chocolate Orchid/Dancing Lady Orchid
Chocolate Orchids are dark reddish-brown and white flowers that smell incredibly similar to chocolate.
Botanical Name: Oncidium Sharry Baby
Height: 18 inches
Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-11
Sunlight: Partial
Water: Every 7-10 days
Chocolate Soldier Columbine
Chocolate Solider Columbines are small, delicate little flowers that grow wonderfully in moist areas. These flowers can be found in Asia, particularly in China and Japan.
Botanical Name: Aquilegia viridiflora
Height: 1 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Water: Regular, Well-Drained Soil
Cymbidium Hybrid
Cymbidium hybrids come in large-flowered hybrids and miniature hybrids. These flowers prefer to be grown in warmer climates and should be moved indoors when it gets too cold.
Botanical Name: Cymbidium
Height: 3 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 9-10
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Regular
Chocolate Sundae Dahlia
The Chocolate Sundae Dahlia’s colors are a combination of red and yellow, creating a brownish aesthetic. Dahlias are very popular for weddings as they have a beautifully dramatic look.
If you don’t want the yellow center, there are also pure burgundy dahlias.
Botanical Name: Dahlia ‘Chocolate Sundae’
Height: 3 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Regular, well-drained
Chocolate Candy Daylily
The Chocolate Candy Daylily is a beautiful brown flower, even when it isn’t in bloom. You can expect pretty green leaves even in the winter.
If you are open to a flower with a yellow center, then you should consider planting this one. It is truly stunning!
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis ‘Chocolate Candy’
Height: 2 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Water regularly and often. Soil should not be allowed to dry out.
Hot Chocolate Flowering Tobacco
The Hot Chocolate Flowering Tobacco is a pleasantly scented flower with rich chocolate brown petals. In general, the flowers of this plant range from brown to mauve, and are all equally as stunning.
If you are interested in more kinds of flowering tobacco, the Chocolate Smoke Flowering Tobacco also turns many heads.
Botanical Name: Nicotiana hyb.
Height: 3-4 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-11
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Regular, well-drained soil
Golden Leafed-Edge Orchid
The Golden Leafed-Edge Orchid, also known as the Yellow Margin Orchid, is a showy perennial flower that blooms from late winter to late spring.
This yellow and brown flower works great in pots and requires repotting somewhere between 2 and 3 years. If you aren’t a fan of the brown-yellow ombre effect, you can also find this flower with green petals.
Botanical Name: Cymbidium floribundum
Height: 6-10 in
Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Sunlight: Partial Sun
Water: Regular, well-drained soil
Graham Thomas Austin Rose
The Graham Thomas Austin Rose is the perfect climbing flower for decorating the exterior of your home. Able to climb 6 ft tall walls and fences, you will be surrounded by beauty and will never want to leave home!
This charming rose boasts a delightful tea-like fragrance perfect for enjoying mornings outdoors. If you are open to a more yellow-leaning flower, consider adding this to your garden design.
Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Ausmas’ Graham Thomas
Height: 10-12 ft (Climber)
Plant Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Regular (Too much water invites disease)
Katelli Bronze Garden Mum
Mums come in many pretty colors, but did you know you can get them in brown-orange? The Katelli Bronze Garden Mum is a great way to add warmth to your garden with its earthy tones.
The best part is that these flowers are pretty low maintenance and they even attract butterflies. You can expect your mums to blossom in the Fall.
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum grandiflorum
Height: 1-2 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Regular, Well-drained soil
Japanese Arisaema/Japanese Cobra Lily
The Japanese Cobra Lily is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance flower. These perennial flowers work great as borders, in flower beds, and as underplanting. Cottage-style settings lend themselves well to this flower’s aesthetic.
Botanical Name: Arisaema sikokianum
Height: 1-2 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Sun
Water: Regular, Well-drained soil
Lady Banks Rose
The Lady Banks Rose is a climbing rose with expected bloom times around spring to early summer. This fast-growing plant looks great in rustic settings.
Botanical Name: Rosa banksiae
Height: 15-20 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Weekly
Oriental Poppy
The Oriental Poppy is a perennial plant with a crepey petal texture. This orange-brown flower is native to northern Iran and Turkey. You can expect blooms around mid-summer.
Botanical Name: Papaver orientale
Height: 1-3 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Regular, well-drained soil
Red Trillium/Wet Dog Trillium
Do not be fooled by the Red Trillium’s name, it definitely has strong brown undertones. This reddish-brown flower goes by many names including Red Wakerobin, Stinking Benjamin, Wet Dog Wakerobin, Purple Trillium, and Purple Wakerobin. That’s a lot of nicknames for just one plant!
The Red Trillium is an important part of wildlife as it supplies berries to birds and mammals. You can find this flower in many areas of the United States and Canada.
Botanical Name: Trillium erectum L.
Height: 0-1 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade
Water: Regular, keep moist
Echibeckia Daisy
The Echibeckia Daisy is a stunningly beautiful flower with orange, yellow, and brown petals. It is a crossbreed between the Echinacea and Rudbeckia (Summerina Brown). You can expect this flower to bloom from mid-summer to fall.
Botanical Name: echibeckia
Height: 2 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 6-10
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Weekly
Toffee Roses
You’ve probably wondered by now if there are any naturally brown roses. The answer is yes! You can buy brown roses from florists, however, not every florist will carry them as they are pretty rare.
Unfortunately, Toffee Roses can’t be grown at home at the moment. These rare colored roses are supplied by florists and their seeds are heavily guarded. Check out Fifty Flowers to learn more.
Earthwalker Sunflowers
If you are a fan of sunflowers, you will love Earthwalker Sunflowers! These giant flowers have amazingly vivid colors including orange, brown, gold, red, and copper.
To sweeten the deal, they are easy to grow and maintain, are drought-resistant, and attract pollinators. They are a great choice for anyone looking for a showy flower that will add some color to their garden.
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Height: Up to 5 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 1-10
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Regular
Tulip Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar Tulips are sweet-smelling red-brown flowers that add such a pretty aesthetic to any garden or bouquet. They can be grown in zones 8-10, however, do best in zones 3-7.
Botanical Name: Tulipa ‘Brown Sugar’
Height: 1-2 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Regular
Velvet Queen Sunflower
Want to add some drama to your garden? Sunflowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, and the Velvet Queen Sunflower is no exception. This variety of sunflower grows to be about 5 feet tall and has bright, velvety red petals. It is a great choice for anyone looking for a bold addition to their garden.
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Height: 4-7 ft
Plant Hardiness Zone: 2-11
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water: Regular, Well-drained soil
Final Thoughts
Brown flowers are definitely underrated. They add so much beauty and color to any garden or bouquet. If you are looking for a flower that is unique and eye-catching, be sure to consider adding some brown flowers to your collection!
If you have a favorite brown flower that isn’t listed here, please share it with us in the comments. Thanks for reading.
