The hardest part of every Pokémon journey isn’t the Champion, Elite Four, or catching the box legendary, but choosing between the Grass, Fire, and Water-type starters at the beginning of the game. These creatures are fans’ first Pokémon in every region, making them timeless companions who are etched into the franchise’s legacy through the games, anime, and merchandise.
Fire is typically the most popular choice, but Water is also a common option, leaving the Grass-type as the odd one out. However, they still have plenty of remarkable Pokémon highlighted through the nine starter evolutions. This is why this list will rank every single Grass-type evolution line based on design, competitive value, iconicity, relevance in other media, and originality, as decided by the fans and the author of this article.
9
Chespin – Quilladin – Chesnaught
Final Typing: Grass/ Fighting
Pokémon’s shift to 3D was both a blessing and a curse, as it provided fans with larger games featuring open worlds on a massive scale; however, the quality of the games took a dip. X and Y are still the best of the 3D Pokémon games, and they gave fans a mostly obvious choice between the three starters. While Froakie is the best choice, Chespin is an underrated pick, even though he finds himself at the bottom of this list.
Chespin was a solid starter with a cute design, but fans disliked its evolutions, as Quilladin and Chesnaught were perceived as unappealing in comparison and adopted a controversial bipedal form. Still, Chesnaught has its perks, serving as a powerful ally in the games despite having six weaknesses and six effectivenesses. Overall, the design and popularity of this starter line hold Chespin back, being one of the most controversial Pokémon.
8
Grookey – Thwackey – Rillaboom
Final Typing: Grass
Sword and Shield brought Pokémon to home consoles with the Nintendo Switch, and while the games were poorly received, the starter trio was universally loved. This fun-loving, stick-wielding green monkey became a fan-favorite of the Galar region, evolving into Thwackey and then Rillaboom, maintaining its sole grass typing.
Despite initial glowing opinions of Grookey, things took a quick turn after it evolved into a generic gorilla with long green hair. This final evolution was disappointing and is mainly what Rillaboom is at the bottom. However, it is one of the strongest starter Pokémon, being an excellent competitive option with a versatile moveset and advantages in the games.
7
Chikorita – Bayleef – Meganium
Final Typing: Grass
Generation 2 is a beloved era that introduced Gold and Silver, arguably the greatest Pokémon games, which revolutionized the franchise. However, despite many great options, most fans didn’t opt for Chikorita, the grass dinosaur starter. This lovable bean would evolve into Bayleef and Meganium, becoming an iconic starter and one of Ash’s best Pokémon that still has its haters.
Despite being a timeless Pokémon that many fans know due to its status as an original starter, Chikorita has become a meme because of its humorous design, which fans affectionately refer to as a “booger.” However, it only increased its popularity and iconicity, being a memorable starter that has made an impact on the community. Hopefully Pokémon Legends: ZA will up its status and give Meganium and Mega Evolution.
6
Snivy – Servine – Serperior
Final Typing: Grass
The Unova region was initially polarizing, but fans have come around to universally praising this nostalgic generation, including its starters. While the initial selection isn’t too appealing, fans have changed their minds on the starting trio, especially Snivy. This grass snake evolves into Servine and Serperior, painting its typing as a sole grass Pokémon.
Snivy ranks lower on this list due to its poor matchup in the game, making it a tough choice for fans if they chose it in Black and White. However, Snivy still has its distinct personality and a unique strategy in the competitive scene, making it an underrated grass starter. Snivy is one of the many reasons why Black and White are some of the best Pokémon games, as its fun design and unique value set it apart from the rest.
5
Sprigatito – Floragato – Meowscarada
Final Typing: Grass/ Dark
Generation 10 isn’t far off, likely coming out in 2026. However, while fans eagerly await those games, Scarlet and Violet remain the most recent entry in the franchise, taking players to the Paldea region. Sprigatito caught many fans’ eyes with its cute design, instantly becoming a fan favorite. This green cat evolves into Floragato and Meowscarada, adopting the Grass/Dark typing and becoming a magician.
Meowscarada is one of the few final evolutions that maintained an outstanding design in every stage, from an adorable kitten to a cool cat to a wonderful, magical cat. It ranks a bit lower because it is not competitively viable, and it faces many weaknesses, also having an uphill battle in its game. However, these shortcomings didn’t discourage fans from choosing one of the cutest starter Pokémon, which is also a beloved final evolution.
4
Rowlet – Dartrix – Decidueye
Final Typing: Grass/ Ghost
Sun and Moon were stuck between a rock and a hard place, with both Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Sword and Shield overshadowing it. Despite being underrated, the quality of the games speaks for themselves, including the lovable starter trio of Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. Rowlet is the unanimous favorite, evolving into Dartrix and Decidueye, an archer owl Pokémon.
Decidueye is one of the weakest grass starter Pokémon, but that doesn’t take away from its unique typing and phenomenal design. It boasts one of the most impressive and badass looks, fit with a signature style and theme, which is even more prevalent in its Hisuian form in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Ash also had a Rowlet in the anime, and Decidueye featured as a fighter in Pokken Tournament DX, making it relevant in multiple media.
3
Bulbasaur – Ivysaur – Venusaur
Final Typing: Grass/ Poison
Red and Blue introduced the world to Pokémon, but one key aspect missing is green, which symbolizes the fact that no one chose Bulbasaur. Despite being overshadowed by Charmander and Squirtle, Bulbasaur is still a classic and fan-favorite Pokémon, which shines with its evolution into Ivysaur and Venusaur.
It is tough not to rank Bulbasaur as the best grass starter evolutionary line because it is so iconic and associated with the original games. However, third is still an excellent rank, and it earned it through excellent stats and competitive value. Even without gameplay, Bulbasaur is an adorable creature with a staple design and many iterations, including Mega Evolution and Gigantamax. It is also the only grass type to feature in Super Smash Bros., making it all the more iconic.
2
Turtwig – Grotle – Torterra
Final Typing: Grass/ Ground
The DS era of Pokémon is undoubtedly the best, and it introduced fans to the best starter trio in Diamond and Pearl with Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. Fans couldn’t go wrong with any of them, but many opted for the cute grass turtle, which would evolve into the bulky Grotle and the ginormous Torterra.
Torterra isn’t competitively sound, as it has many weaknesses and is incredibly slow. However, it is the best tank starter with ridiculously high attack and defence stats, making it an excellent choice for a playthrough. Torterra has one of the best Pokémon designs, making it a beloved starter and shooting it up this list. This line was also with Ash through thick and thin in the anime, making it a staple starter. Lastly, it has a very memorable role in the franchise’s only live-action movie, Detective Pikachu, adding to its overall standing.
1
Treecko – Grovyle – Sceptile
Final Typing: Grass
There are many fantastic dragon Pokémon, and surprisingly, Sceptile is one of them after it Mega Evolves. Treecko is the primary starter in the Hoenn region, evolving into Grovyle and Sceptile, boasting a remarkable design that holds up with every evolution. This grassy dinosaur creature became a staple through its cherished design and role in the anime.
Overall, it was tough choosing which Pokémon deserved the top spot, as Grass is consistently the best starter type, with all nine having a viable case for number one. However, Treecko’s evolutionary line is the best in all ways, from its iconic design, unique typing, Mega Evolution form, and representation in other media. Not only that, but Sceptile played a legendary role in the anime, making it the best of the grass starters.
