This Gen 2 Pokemon Should Either Go Big or Go Home in…

When it comes to underrated Pokemon, few have been as neglected as Sunflora—the Grass-type from Generation 2. Despite its vibrant, sun-loving design, Sunflora has long been sidelined in the Pokemon series. Over the years, it's had little to no attention in terms of evolutions, regional forms, or notable in-game roles. As Pokemon moves into its 10th generation, it's time for Sunflora to finally get the spotlight it deserves.

As Pokemon Gen 10 approaches, there's hope that this neglected Grass-type Pokemon will finally be given the attention it needs to thrive. Whether through an evolution, a regional form, or an entirely new take, it's time for Sunflora to step into the spotlight. It's been far too long, and Gen 10 might just be the perfect opportunity to give this neglected Pokemon the second chance it deserves.

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Sunflora's Neglect: A Case Study in Untapped Potential

First introduced in Pokemon Gold and Silver as the evolved form of Sunkern, Sunflora has always felt like a Pokemon with huge untapped potential. On paper, it has the makings of a standout Grass-type: a sun-loving, flower-inspired creature with a quirky design. However, Sunflora's stats are fairly lackluster, and its role in battle has never made it a fan favorite.

Since its debut, Sunflora has received little in the way of major updates or new evolutions. It's a Pokemon that seems to exist more as an afterthought, a relic of Gen 2 rather than a prominent player in modern Pokemon lore. Despite the expansion of the Pokemon world, from regional forms to cross-gen evolutions, Sunflora has largely remained static.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

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Cross-Gen Evolutions and Regional Forms: Sunflora's Untapped Potential

One of the most glaring missed opportunities in the Pokemon series is Sunflora's lack of an evolution or regional form in subsequent generations. Many Pokemon from Gen 2 have received new evolutions or regional forms, like Gligar evolving into Gliscor or Wooper receiving a Paldean regional form, but Sunflora has been left behind. This is a list of every Gen 2 Pokemon that received new forms, evolutions, pre-evolutions, and such:

Meganium — Mega Meganium (Pokemon Legends: Z-A)
Typhlosion — Hisuian Typhlosion (Pokemon Legends: Arceus)
Feraligatr — Mega Feraligatr (Pokemon Legends: Z-A)
Togetic — Togekiss (Gen 4)
Ampharos — Mega Ampharos (Gen 6)
Marill — Azurill (Gen 3)
Sudowoodo — Bonsli (Gen 4)
Aipom — Ambipom (Gen 4)
Yanma — Yanmega (Gen 4)
Wooper — Paldean Wooper, Clodsire (Gen 9)
Murkrow — Honchkrow (Gen 4)
Slowking — Galarian Slowking (Gen 8)
Misdreavus — Mismagius (Gen 4), Flutter Mane (Gen 9)
Wobbuffet — Wynaut (Gen 3)
Girafarig — Farigiraf (Gen 9)
Dunsparce — Dudunsparce (Gen 9)
Gligar — Gliscor (Gen 4)
Steelix — Mega Steelix (Gen 6)
Qwilfish — Hisuian Qwilfish, Overqwil (Pokemon Legends: Arceus)
Scizor — Mega Scizor (Gen 6)
Heracross — Mega Heracross (Gen 6)
Sneasel — Weavile (Gen 4), Hisuian Sneasel, Sneasler (Pokemon Legends: Arceus)
Ursaring — Ursaluna (Pokemon Legends: Arceus)
Piloswine — Mamoswine (Gen 4)
Corsola — Galarian Corsola (Gen 8)
Delibird — Iron Bundle (Gen 9)
Mantine — Mantyke (Gen 4)
Skarmory — Mega Skarmory (Pokemon Legends: Z-A)
Houndoom — Mega Houndoom (Gen 6)
Donphan — Great Tusk, Iron Treads (Gen 9)
Porygon2 — Porygon-Z (Gen 4)
Smeargle — Smearguru (Pokemon Pokopia)
Stantler — Wyrdeer (Pokemon Legends: Arceus)
Raikou — Raging Bolt (Gen 9)
Entei — Gouging Fire (Gen 9)
Suicune — Walking Wake (Gen 9)
Tyranitar — Mega Tyranitar (Gen 6)

Why Sunflora Could Have Benefited from a Cross-Gen Evolution

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Sunflora's concept, based on a flower basking in the sun, has ample room for reinterpretation across generations. In Generation 4, the introduction of special evolutions for previously underused Pokemon was a major theme. Sunflora could have easily been a perfect candidate for an evolution that increased its utility in battle, giving it a more prominent role in modern play.

Additionally, with the rise of regional variants in Generations 7 and 8, Sunflora could have had a Paldean, Alolan, or Galarian variant, tying its design to specific regions or ecological concepts. Instead, it remains largely unchanged. There are only a few Gen 2 Pokemon with no forms:

Furret
Noctowl
Ledian
Ariados
Crobat
Lanturn
Pichu
Cleffa
Igglybuff
Xatu
Bellossom
Politoed
Jumpluff
Sunflora
Espeon
Umbreon
Unown
Forretress
Granbull
Shuckle
Magcargo
Octillery
Kingdra
Hitmontop
Miltank
Blissey
Lugia
Ho-Oh
Celebi

One could argue that Shadow Lugia and Shadow Ho-Oh count as extra forms, but they were never added to the mainline series.

The Tease for Sunflora in Scarlet and Violet: A Missed Opportunity

In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, there's a clear tease that suggests Sunflora might get its time to shine. The Sunflora mini-game in the early areas of the Paldea region hints at some kind of special role for the Pokemon. Players can engage in a fun little puzzle involving Sunflora in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but it doesn't lead to any evolution, regional form, or deeper lore. The mini-game, while charming, feels like a throwaway feature rather than something that could have been part of a larger narrative surrounding Sunflora's potential.

This was an especially significant moment because Sunflora's appearance in the mini-game felt like it could have been part of something larger, perhaps hinting at a new evolution or regional form. But instead, players were left disappointed, and Sunflora was relegated to a one-off side activity rather than an important part of the game. Not only that, but a Mega Evolution for Sunflora didn't come in PLZA.

The Grass/Fire-type Potential: A Perfect Opportunity Missed

One of the biggest missed opportunities for Sunflora came with Scovillain in Generation 9, a Pokemon that became the first-ever Grass/Fire-type in the series. For years, fans speculated that Sunflora, with its sun-based theme, could be the perfect candidate to introduce this unique dual typing. After all, what better way to give Sunflora a new lease on life than by combining its Grass typing with the power of fire?

Instead, Scovillain took this honor. While Scovillain is a cool design with a fun concept, it could have been Sunflora's time to shine. As a Fire-type evolution of a Grass-type Pokemon, Sunflora would have been a natural fit, offering a clever dual-typing that also honored the themes of growth, heat, and sun. But again, Sunflora was left behind, with its fiery potential handed to another, entirely new Pokemon. Not only that, but Mega Scovillain in Pokemon Legends: Z-A ended up getting a new form even before Sunflora.

Pokemon Wind and Wave Should Be The Time for Sunflora to Finally Evolve

As we look toward Pokemon Wind and Wave on Pokemon Day 2026, it's hard not to feel that Sunflora's time has finally come, or that it should come. The Pokemon franchise is all about innovation, and now that the series has begun exploring more cross-gen evolutions, regional variants, and convergent species, there's never been a better opportunity to give Sunflora the recognition it deserves.

Evolution: Sunflora could evolve into a more powerful form with better stats and dual typings (like a Grass/Fire or Grass/Fairy Pokemon). This would not only make it a competitive threat but also give it more relevance in modern games.
Regional Form: Pokemon Gen 10's region, with its alleged heavy emphasis on natural diversity and the blending of various biomes, could provide a perfect setting for a regional variant of Sunflora.
Convergent Species: Another route would be introducing convergent evolution, where Sunflora takes on a new form inspired by a real-world plant, like a cactus or flower species.