Best Grass Type Pokemon

Picking the best Grass type Pokemon means working around a long list of weak spots. Grass type Pokemon hit Ground, Rock and Water for double damage, but they take double damage from five types, Fire and Ice among them.

That record has given Grass a reputation as the starter you pick when you want the hard mode. For players who stick with them, though, the type has turned out some of the best-loved designs in the series. (We have killed every plant we have owned. Grass types forgive us anyway.)

This list ranks 15 of the 127 Grass type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Grass type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Grass Type Pokemon

#15

Exeggutor

Exeggutor appears to be based on a coconut tree or desert palm tree and possibly the Jinmenju, a Japanese monster tree that grows human heads that are always smiling. It may also draw on Buddhist asuras, three-headed demigods whose faces each express joy, anger or sorrow. Its Psychic type may come from the idea of telepathy. Exeggcute evolves into it with a Leaf Stone. Its Pokedex entry says its three heads can put out powerful psychic energy when they work together, and that cloudy days make it sluggish. (Three heads and still no plan for a grey Tuesday. We understand.)

Its Special Attack of 125 ties Roserade for the best on this list (Special Attack powers special moves like Solar Beam). Every Pokemon also has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Exeggutor's Chlorophyll doubles its Speed (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn) in strong sunlight, a weather condition some moves and abilities set up. Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Harvest, has a 50% chance of giving back a Berry it has used after each turn.

Its Alolan form has a much longer neck and a Dragon type, which may be a reference to the Dracaena genus of trees.

#14

Vileplume

Vileplume seems to be based on a mandrake, a plant whose roots sometimes resemble human figures, and on Rafflesia, a genus of parasitic plants known for their large, foul smelling flowers. It is especially similar to Rafflesia arnoldii, which produces the largest single flower on Earth. Female Vileplume resemble Rafflesia hasseltii because of the larger spots on their petals. Its Pokedex entry says the larger its petals, the more toxic pollen it contains, and that its big head is heavy and hard to hold up. (All that, and its main complaint is neck strain. We feel seen.)

Gloom evolves into it with a Leaf Stone. Its Special Attack is 110, while its Speed is 50. Its ability, Chlorophyll, makes up for that slow pace in strong sunlight. Its hidden ability, Effect Spore, gives any Pokemon that touches it a 30% chance of being paralyzed, poisoned or put to sleep.

#13

Serperior

Serperior is based on a snake, possibly the vine snake, tree snake or green snake. Its Pokedex entry says it can stop its opponents' movements with a glare and that it takes in solar energy and boosts it internally. The sunlight part may allude to King Louis XIV of France, who called himself the "Sun King," and the glare may point to the basilisk, the legendary "king of serpents" in European folklore. The dark green design on its chest appears to form a fleur-de-lis, a French insignia found on the coats of arms of noble families. (A snake that freezes you with one look. We have a cat with the same skill set.)

Servine evolves into it at level 36. Its Speed is 113, and its Defense and Special Defense are both 95 (Defense blunts physical attacks, Special Defense blunts special ones). Its ability, Overgrow, makes its Grass moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Contrary, flips its stat changes, so a move that would lower its stats raises them instead.

#12

Turtwig

Turtwig seems to be based on a terrestrial turtle, possibly one of the Asian box turtles. In concept, it may be based on the World Turtle from various mythologies that carries the world upon its back. Its Pokedex entry says it becomes more energetic the more sunlight there is, and that the part resembling a shell is similar to silt and is slightly damp and warm to the touch. (Damp and warm to the touch. We would still hold it.)

It evolves into Grotle at level 18 and stands 0.4 m tall. Its Speed of 31 is the lowest on this list. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability, Shell Armor, protects it from critical hits (rare hits that deal extra damage).

Players name it as a favorite Grass starter, and some call it the best Grass type outright.

#11

Meganium

Meganium has the appearance of a sauropod, particularly an Apatosaurus. Its flower seems to be based on a type of hybrid daylily, and its long neck makes it similar to the titan arum. It may also draw inspiration from geraniums, as its name suggests. Its proportions and face resemble those of the herbivorous Galápagos tortoises. Its Pokedex entry says the fragrance of its flower soothes and calms emotions, and in battle it gives off more of that scent to blunt the foe's fighting spirit. (A dinosaur that wins by making everyone too relaxed to fight. We call this a spa.)

Bayleef evolves into it at level 32. Its Defense and Special Defense are both 100. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability, Leaf Guard, protects it from major status ailments, such as a burn, in strong sunlight.

#10

Chikorita

Chikorita appears to be based on sauropods. Its shape also alludes to a pear or a Belgian endive, a type of chicory. The buds around its neck look like a necklace, and from a mythological standpoint it could draw inspiration from Persephone, a Greek goddess of spring and agriculture. Its Pokedex entry says it waves its leaf around to keep the foe at bay, but a sweet fragrance from the leaf creates a cozy, friendly atmosphere all around. (It brings potpourri to a fight. We respect the commitment.)

It evolves into Bayleef at level 16 and stands 0.9 m tall. Its Defense and Special Defense are both 65, and its Attack is 49. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability is Leaf Guard.

Players pick it for cuteness, and it keeps coming up as a favorite cute Grass type.

Leafeon

Leafeon bears many similarities to cats and foxes, and its cry sounds like a cat's meow or a fox's chirp. Its coloration appears to be inspired by the markings of the Siamese cat or the red fox. As its body consists of leaves, it can also use photosynthesis. Eevee evolves into it with a Leaf Stone. Its Pokedex entry says cells similar to those of plants have been found in its fur, and its hard tail can fell a large tree with one stroke. (We cannot open a jar.)

Its Defense of 130 is the highest on this list, and its Attack is 110. Its ability, Leaf Guard, protects it from major status ailments in strong sunlight, and its hidden ability, Chlorophyll, doubles its Speed in the same weather.

Breloom

Breloom seems to be based on a mushroom, specifically agaric types. The shape of its head is reminiscent of a kasa, a traditional Japanese hat with a wide brim. Some of these hats were worn by monks, samurai and soldiers, which may explain its Fighting type. Its body structure resembles a kangaroo, so its boxing could also come from the boxing kangaroo. Shroomish evolves into it at level 23. Its Pokedex entry says the seeds ringing its tail are made of hardened toxic spores, and it is horrible to eat the seeds. (Nobody asked how the Pokedex knows. We would like to know.)

Its Attack of 130 is the highest on this list (Attack powers physical moves). One of its abilities, Poison Heal, heals it for an eighth of its max HP after each turn while it is poisoned. Its hidden ability, Technician, makes moves with a base power of 60 or less (base power is a move's raw strength) 1.5× as strong.

It gets called one of the best Grass types for ending matches fast with Spore and Fighting moves. One player puts the plan as "Spore + Focus punch = ouch."

Treecko

Treecko resembles a gecko. Its design shares some similarities with the leaf-tailed gecko, a lizard that blends in with plantlike appendages and can climb flat surfaces. Its green skin and red underside seem to take inspiration from male green anoles, whose dewlaps inflate and turn red to show dominance. Its Pokedex entry says it is cool, calm and collected and never panics, and if a bigger foe were to glare at it, it would glare right back without conceding an inch of ground. (A 5 kg lizard with the confidence we lack at the post office.)

It evolves into Grovyle at level 16. Its Speed is 70, and its Special Attack is 65. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability, Unburden, doubles its Speed once it uses or loses its held item.

Snivy

Snivy is based on a snake, and the species referenced may include the vine snake, tree snake or green snake. Some of its features may also come from legless lizards and skinks. The shape of its head, body and shoulders may be based on the bird of paradise flower, also called "Strelitzia," which is named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. That reinforces its regal theme. Its Pokedex entry says it photosynthesizes by bathing its tail in sunlight, and when it is not feeling well, its tail droops. (We would be drooping most mornings.)

It evolves into Servine at level 17. Its base stat total of 308 is the lowest on this list, and it makes the top 15 as a first-stage starter. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability is Contrary, the same one Serperior carries.

Torterra

Torterra appears to be based on a snapping turtle and an ankylosaur, an armored dinosaur. In concept, it may be based on the World Turtle from various mythologies that carried the world upon its back. Its Pokedex entry says it would serve beautifully as borrowed scenery for a garden, and that it roams the wilderness in search of clean water. (We have also been described as decorative. Never this nicely.)

Grotle evolves into it at level 32. It weighs 310 kg, the most on this list, and has an Attack of 109 and a Defense of 105. Its Ground half means Electric moves do nothing to it. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability is Shell Armor.

Players who back it argue hard, calling it the best Grass starter or the best Grass type in existence.

Roserade

Roserade appears to be based on a bouquet of roses and a mysterious patron of a masquerade ball, where masks would be worn to hide the identity of the guests. Its mask and cape back this up. Its flowers could also be hellebores, a genus in which many species are poisonous and deceptively similar to roses. Roselia evolves into it with a Shiny Stone. Its Pokedex entry says thorned whips loaded with virulent poison hide in the bouquet on each hand. (A bouquet that fights back. We have dated this person.)

Its Special Attack of 125 ties Exeggutor for the best on this list, and its Special Defense is 105. Its abilities are Natural Cure, which cures any major status ailment when it switches out, and Poison Point, which has a 30% chance of poisoning any Pokemon that touches it. Its hidden ability is Technician.

Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is based on a frog. Its short legs, stout appearance and ear-like protrusions on its head make it resemble horned frogs, and the bulb on its back resembles a lily or onion. It is number 1 in the National Pokedex. Its Pokedex entry says that while it is young, it uses the nutrients stored in the seed on its back to grow. (A packed lunch it never has to carry. We are jealous.)

It evolves into Ivysaur at level 16 and weighs 6.9 kg. Its Special Attack and Special Defense are both 65. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability is Chlorophyll.

Bulbasaur makes this list on its own, separate from Venusaur at number two. Much of the love is nostalgia, from players whose first starter it was.

Venusaur

According to Ken Sugimori, Venusaur and its pre-evolutions were inspired by frogs. Its short legs, stout appearance and ear-like protrusions make it resemble horned frogs, and unlike Bulbasaur, its "ears" have hollows, which marks them as ears. The flower on its back resembles the Rafflesia arnoldii, the same flower behind Vileplume. Its Pokedex entry says a bewitching aroma wafts from its flower, and the fragrance becalms those engaged in a battle. (Same flower as Vileplume, better publicist. We would hire them.)

Ivysaur evolves into it at level 32. Its Special Attack and Special Defense are both 100. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability is Chlorophyll. Its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle) has the ability Thick Fat, which adds to the frog look.

It has a following among players as a staller, a Pokemon that heals itself and wears the opponent down with poison.

Sceptile

Sceptile draws its looks from leaf-tailed geckos and also resembles a dinosaur, particularly Dilophosaurus. Its green skin and red jaw seem to take inspiration from male green anoles. The orbs on its back may be based on the spores of ferns, and its tail leaves make it resemble the yew tree. Its Pokedex entry says the seeds growing on its back are bursting with nutrients that revitalize trees, and it raises the trees in a forest with loving care. (A gardener with a blade on each arm. We would not argue about the hedges.)

Grovyle evolves into it at level 36. Its Speed of 120 is the highest on this list, and its Special Attack is 105. Its ability is Overgrow, and its hidden ability is Unburden.

More players named it as their favorite Grass type than any other, over twice as many as Venusaur at number two. Its speed comes up again and again, and some call it the fastest Grass type in the game.

Conclusion

Grass type Pokemon take double damage from five types, and the Grass starters still take over this list. Ten of the 15 entries come from Grass starter lines, covering five of the nine, and none of the four Grass starters since Generation V made it. Four of the 15, Bulbasaur, Venusaur, Roserade and Vileplume, carry a Poison half that takes half damage from Bug, which cancels one of the five weak spots.

The rest belong to Pokemon players found on their own, like a palm tree with three heads and a mushroom that boxes. (We relate most to Vileplume. Big head, sore neck.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Grass type Pokemon has all 127, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Grass Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Grass type Pokemon?

Sceptile. More players name it as their favorite Grass type than any other.

How many Grass type Pokemon are there?

There are 127 Grass type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Is Bulbasaur a Grass and Poison type?

Yes. Bulbasaur is a Grass / Poison type, and so are Ivysaur and Venusaur. It is number 1 in the National Pokedex.

Best Grass Type Pokemon

Best Grass Type Pokemon

Exeggutor

Vileplume

Serperior

Turtwig

Meganium

Chikorita

Leafeon

Breloom

Treecko

Snivy

Torterra

Roserade

Bulbasaur

Venusaur

Sceptile

Conclusion

Grass Type Pokemon FAQ

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Best Ice Type Pokemon

Best Normal Type Pokemon

Best Poison Type Pokemon

Best Psychic Type Pokemon

Best Rock Type Pokemon