Plants are pretty much everywhere in video games. There are the plants we hardly notice, the background scenery or forest of an incredible open world. Or what about plants as resources, the flowers and herbs that can be crafted into potions? You can even find plants that act as convenient hiding spots, like the seemingly endless amounts of tall grass in video games.

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Sometimes, though, these plants are alive. Okay, technically all plants are alive, but we're talking about those plants in video games that take on the form of iconic bosses, wise sages, or quirky karate masters. Here's a look at the best, from random encounters to your garden-variety zombie killer.

11 Cagney Carnation - Cuphead

The Angriest Plant On Inkwell Isle

Cuphead

Platformer Released September 29, 2017 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco Developer(s) Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. Publisher(s) Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. Engine Unity Multiplayer Local Co-Op Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

This angry flower can be found on the first Inkwell Isle in the tough-as-nails platformer Cuphead. Don't be deceived by Cagney Carnation's innocent look, because he quickly turns into a rage-filled floral nightmare. He may be one of the earliest bosses in the game, but you'll still need to have mastered the basic mechanics to take him down.

While his first phase isn't particularly difficult, he gets substantially harder during the second stage of the fight. His thorny roots cover the bottom of the level, forcing you to hop from platform to platform in order to avoid Cagney's projectiles and spikes.

10 Chop Chop Master Onion - PaRappa The Rapper

Kick! Punch! It's All In the Mind!

PaRappa the Rapper

Rhythm Released September 26, 1997 ESRB e Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment Platform(s) PS1, PSP Developer NanaOn-Sha Powered by Expand Collapse

Let's face it, Chop Chop Master Onion is easily the best rapper who also happens to be a living plant. After all, he is a karate master with his own dojo where he teaches PaRappa the Rapper how to bust a rhyme. He'll have you kicking, punching, and chopping in no time.

PaRapper the Rapper isn't Master Onion's only appearance, though, as he also appears in the highly-underrated spin-off, Um Jammer Lammy. He's a character that many have forgotten about over the years, but maybe it's time for Chop Chop Master Onion to make a return.

9 Pea Shooter - Plants Vs. Zombies Series

Garden Security At Its Finest

Plants vs. Zombies

Tower Defense Released May 5, 2009 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Animated Blood, Cartoon Violence Developer(s) PopCap Publisher(s) PopCap Engine PopCap Framework. Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Plants vs. Zombies Platform(s) iOS, PC, PS Vita, Android, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS How Long To Beat 8 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

To be fair, just about anything from Plants Vs. Zombies could be on this list, as the game revolves around a whole cast of living plants, but perhaps the most iconic of these is the basic Pea Shooter. It's an adorable little plant whose sole purpose is to spit out peas at the encroaching zombies, dealing minor damage.

In Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, they can be upgraded into a number of different forms, from a Pea Shooter that fires toxic peas to a six-shooter known as the Law Pea, complete with a cowboy hat. Who wouldn't want one of these growing in their garden?

8 Hestu And The Koroks - The Legend Of Zelda Series

Just Don't Accept His Gifts

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Action Adventure 10.0/10 Released March 3, 2017 ESRB E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Nintendo EPD Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Havok Franchise The Legend of Zelda Platform(s) Nintendo Wii U, Switch How Long To Beat 50 Hours Metascore 97 OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

The Legend of Zelda series is full of off-beat characters, and this endearing Korok is one of the most interesting to come from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Koroks are little forest spirits made of wood and greenery who are scattered throughout Hyrule, rewarding those who find them with Korok seeds.

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Hestu is a big, friendly Korok who loves to make music with his maracas, and by trading him seeds, he will increase your inventory space. There are 900 total Korok seeds to be found and you might be wondering what you get by collecting all of them. Unfortunately, all Hestu has to give is a golden poo for your troubles. Congratulations?

7 Harold - Fallout Series

Living, But Not Truly Alive

Fallout 3

Action RPG Released October 28, 2008 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine Gamebryo Franchise Fallout Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, PC How Long To Beat 23 Hours Metascore 93 PS Plus Availability Premium Powered by Expand Collapse

Harold's story in the Fallout series is rather tragic. A mutant who was slowly taken over by a tree, Harold has been a part of the series since the beginning, having traveled all over the wasteland, watching the world struggle to survive. His story culminates in a brilliant quest given to you in Fallout 3, where Harold has been rooted to the ground and stuck living in one place for decades.

The thing is, he also gave life to the surrounding area, which was named Oasis by a group of followers that worship Harold. Despite this, Harold just wants to finally die, and gives you the option to help him do so. It's one of the more memorable encounters in Fallout 3, especially if you've been following Harold's story since the original game.

6 Whispy Woods - Kirby Series

An Iconic Recurring Baddie

Kirby's Return To Dreamland Deluxe

Platformer Released February 24, 2023 ESRB e Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise Kirby Platform(s) Switch OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Chances are, if you've played a Kirby game, you've gone up against Whispy Woods, the living apple tree. It often serves as the first boss you face off against, which has made it one of the most iconic bosses, not just in the Kirby series, but in video games as a whole.

Whispy Woods has appeared in literally dozens of Kirby games, and has even been featured as a stage in the Super Smash Bros. series. This apple-slinging tree has lasted through several console generations, and we're probably going to see more of Whispy Woods when Kirby gets a new game.

5 Pikmin - Pikmin Series

Colorful, Cute, And Carefree

Pikmin 4

Puzzle Adventure 3.5/5 Released July 21, 2023 ESRB e Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Pikmin Platform(s) Switch How Long To Beat 17 Hours OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

After crashing his ship on an unknown planet, Captain Olimar discovers the Pikmin, a race of colorful little plant creatures who follow his every command. These helpful sprouts come in a variety of different colors, each type with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Red Pikmin are strong and good at fending off enemies, while blue Pikmin can survive in water.

With each entry in the series, the Pikmin have gotten more advanced, with brand new types of Pikmin being discovered. Since their arrival on the Gamecube in 2001, the Pikmin have grown to be some of the most loved creatures in Nintendo's history.

4 Cactuar - Final Fantasy Series

Strike A Pose

Final Fantasy VII

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There are many iconic monsters in the Final Fantasy series, many of them plant-based like the ever-annoying Malboro, whose Bad Breath ability is the bane of every RPG fan. Perhaps none are as recognizable as the Cactuar, however, which has become a beloved mascot for the series.

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Ever since its first appearance in Final Fantasy VI, Cactuar has gone on to become a Final Fantasy mainstay. They are so popular, that they have even crossed over into other video games, including Dragon Quest X and a few Mario sports titles.

3 Flowey - Undertale

A Fourth-Wall Breaking Villain

Undertale

RPG 10.0/10 Released September 15, 2015 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Tobacco Developer(s) Toby Fox Publisher(s) Toby Fox, 8-4 Engine GameMaker Platform(s) PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch, PC How Long To Beat 7 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

If you thought Cagney Carnation was an angry flower, he has nothing on Flowey, the main villain in Toby Fox's incredible Undertale. Don't mistake Flowey's politeness for weakness, as he is about as evil as evil can be, driven by a kill-or-be-killed mentality.

Your interactions with Flowey throughout Undertale are some of the game's highlights, as Flowey has a great backstory and routinely breaks the fourth wall. The final battle against the monstrous Photoshop Flowey is one of the most memorable fights in the game, and he's since become an iconic part of what makes Undertale special.

2 Petey Piranha - Super Mario Series

The Biggest, Baddest Plant In The Mushroom Kingdom

Super Mario Galaxy

3D Platformer Released November 1, 2007 ESRB E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Super Mario Galaxy Engine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op Franchise Super Mario Platform(s) Wii, Nintendo Wii U How Long To Beat 15 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Petey Piranha is a classic Mario boss who was first encountered in Super Mario Sunshine on the Gamecube. Since then, he's gone on to be an antagonist in tons of different Mario games, popping up in everything from Super Smash Bros. Brawl to Mario Party.

It seems that Petey is also a bit of a sports fanatic, considering his appearances as a playable character in the Mario Tennis series, as well as in both the Mario Kart and Mario Golf series. He's become one of the most lovable and iconic characters in the Mushroom Kingdom, and he's likely not going away anytime soon.