The second generation ofPokemonbuilt upon the successes of the first generation. Instead of merely creating one new region,Pokemon’screatorscombinedJohtoandKantointo one comprehensive game. The result was the most detailedPokemongeneration in history.
RELATED:The Best Shiny Pokemon In Sword and Shield, RankedThe Grass-type Pokemon of the second generation aren’t extraordinarily powerful due to balancing. Despite this, more than a fewmake-worthy additions to any lineup. Based on their movesets and stats, it can be deduced which Pokemon are the most powerful. While many are reluctant to use a Grass-type because of its low stats, a Grass-type can add to a robust lineup if utilized properly.
Updated July 02, 2025, by Jerrad Wyche:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are introducing the Pokemon fandom to the 9th Generation of games. For years, Grass-types have been seen as inferior when compared to others, a conversation that started with the original starting Pokemon of the Kanto and Johto regions. It’s unclear if the ninth-generation Grass-type starter Sprigatito will change these sentiments. The second generation of Pokemon featured in Pokemon Gold & Silver and their remakes had a plentiful roster of Grass-types worth catching and investing in though, so fans will be hoping that Pokemon Scarlet & Violet do the same.
14Chikorita
Thisstarter Pokemonof the second generation is a powerful asset. Most players will opt to evolve Chikorita into a Bayleef at level 16 and into a Meganium at level 32. However, it’s possible to force Chikorita to not evolve by pressing the B button in the middle of its evolution. As a standalone Pokémon, Chikorita packs a wallop. It can learn powerful moves like Razor Leaf, Body Slam, and Solar Beam.
Chikorita kind of suffers similarly to Charmander from Gen 1, where the typing for the first 2 gyms in the game are not very kind to it, but after thatthis Pokemon can really shine. It has a nice ability in Overgrow, increasing the damage of Grass-type moves when Chikorita is at 1/3 of its health or less. Due to it being a starter, it is impossible to obtain more of this Pokemon without trading it in from another game.
13Bellossom
According to Bellossom’sPokemon GoldPokedex entry, “Bellossom gather at times and appear to dance. They say that the dance is a ritual to summon the sun.“This Pokemon loves the sunlike mostGrass-types.A Grass-type Pokemon can learn Solar Beam by leveling up, which becomes a one-turn move if Sunny Day is activated. Generation II doesn’t have as many Grass-types as the other elements, yet Pokémon like Bellossom are a worthy addition to any lineup.
The weather condition ofHarsh Sunlight also combines great with Bellosom’s ability, Chlorophyll, which doubles its speed stat whenever the sun is out. It can also learn some other useful moves such as Drain Punch, Energy Ball, and Sludge Bomb.
It is quite the journey to get a Bellossom, however.First, players need to catch an Oddish. These are found on Routes 5, 6, 24, and 25, or Ilex Forest, and only at night. It then needs to evolve into Gloom at level 21. Finally, Gloom needs to use a Sun Stone. Fortunately, a Sun Stone can be won if the player scores first place in the Bug Catching Contest at National Park.
12Bulbasaur
Despite being the least popular of theoriginal starting Pokemonin the series, the Grass-type known as Bulbasaur still holds its own among its peers. Unless players give their Bulbasaur an Everstone though, they won’t have it for too long as it evolves into Ivysaur at level 16 and Venusaur at level 32.
Not only does itsOvergrow abilitypower up its Grass-type moves, but itsadditional Poison-type typinggives it added utility in terms of its overall move set. It also doesn’t hurt that its base special attack and special defense ratings are pretty good when compared to other base forms in three-stage evolutionary lines.
11Jumpluff
It’s a blue round Pokemon with a gentle appearance, yet it definitely displaysfighting prowess in battle. Starting as a Hoppip, it becomes a Skiploom at level 18. After Skiploom reaches level 27, the second evolutionary process is activated, and a Jumpluff appears.
RELATED:Best Grass Pokémon, Ranked
This third-stage Pokemon receives stat upgrades with each evolution, even if it’s not the most powerful Grass-type. It’s worth having on one’s team mid-game, but not against final trainers like the Elite Four.
Hoppip, Jumpluff’s first form, is anincredibly common Pokemon. It can be found on Routes 13, 14, 15, 32, and 33, in the morning or day. Both of its abilities need the sun to function, Chlorophyll doubles Jumpluff’s speed, while Leaf Guard blocks status conditions. Jumpluff also has access to some solid moves such asStun Spore, Solar Beam, and Aerial Ace.
10Parasect
One would assume that the final form of a two-stage Grass-type evolutionary line would be a beloved or sought-after creature, but Parasect has remained neither. The Bug and Grass-type’s base attack happens to be itsonly one above average, with its one real weakness being its speed.
As the final form of Paras, whoevolves at level 24, it’s clear that the fungi controlling the creature have fully taken over. In the years since the first and second generations, Bug-type moves have become significantly stronger, which means this dual-type can nowutilize both of its typesto the fullest as a lesser-owned Gen 2 Grass-type Pokemon.
9Tangela
Tangela was an often overlooked Pokemon when comparing it to the entiretyof the original 151 Pokemon, and even when the second generation of Johto native creatures are thrown in. Fans lost their mind when it received a secondary evolution in the fourth generation of games, but on its own, Tangela ispretty solid as a Grass-typebase form.
Its base special attack and defense stats are more than serviceable. to evolve it needs tolearn the move Ancient Power, which it does at level 24. Tangela may look like a ball of yarn with red shows on, but players shouldn’t let its appearance fool them, as it’s still a very capable and powerful Grass-type.
8Bayleef
If playerschoose Chikorita as their Generation II starting Pokemon, it’s a no-brainer decision to evolve it into a Bayleef. It grows in size and power as the Pokemon evolves. As a Grass-type Pokemon, Bayleef is an essential part of any lineup. Although it has fewer base stats than the other Generation II Pokémon, it can still inflict immense damage against Water-types, Ground-types, and Rock-types. Resembling a dinosaur, it has a long neck and leaves around its neck.
Bayleef thankfully keeps the good Overgrow ability, as well as all of the same moves Chikorita had.Reflect and Light Screenare great utility,Iron Tailis a strong but fairly inaccurate Steel move, and Swords Dance can make Bayleeef a huge threat. The same situation from Chikorita applies here though, it’s the starter. So, if it wasn’t the first pick, players can only get more Bayleef by trading them in from other games.
7Ivysaur
Sure, people dislike Venusaur from a design perspective when compared to Blastoise and Charizard, but the Grass-type starter from the Kanto region might havethe best middle formof the bunch. When Bulbasaur hits level 16 it evolves into amore well-rounded and stronger version of itselfthat can toe-to-toe with other Grass-type Pokemon of the same level.
Trainers can naturally have their Ivysaur learn effective moves like Take Down and Seed Bomb before it reaches its final form. This doesn’t include the long list of stellar TMs such asSludge Bomb or Toxicthat provide use out of Ivysaur’ssecondary Poison-typingand make it a worthwhile Gen 2 Grass-type Pokemon, despite being introduced and native to the first generation of games.
6Victreebel
This Generation I Pokemon appears in subsequent generations, including Generation II. Victreebel is a dual-type Grass andPoison Pokemon.It is thethird-stage Pokemon in its evolutionary line. To evolve Weepinbell (the second-stage Pokemon) into aVictreebel requires a Leaf Stone.Evolving the Pokemon too early can mean it misses out on learning Slam, a powerful Normal-type move. However, those with a vast collection of TMs need not wait to evolve Weepinbell.
Bellsprout is an extremely common Pokemon much like Hoppip, it can be found on Routes 5, 6, 24, (Kanto) 25, 31, 32, and 44 (Johto). Players canget a Leaf Stone from Picknicker Ginaas a gift on Route 34 if players have her number, but only in Crystal and the remakes. They can also get one as a prize from the Bug Catching Contest, but only after they’ve received the National Dex.
5Vileplume
Gym Leader Erika uses Vileplume as one ofher final Pokemon. According to Vileplume’sPokemon GoldPokedex, “It has the world’s largest petals. With every step, the petals shake out heavy clouds of toxic pollen.” Vileplume is a reliable Grass-type to have in one’s lineup. Although it isn’t capable of learning the most powerful Grass-type moves, it can be taught moves like Giga Drain and Solarbeam with TMs.
The method for players getting a Vileplume is the exact same as Bellossom, except theGloom will need a Leaf Stoneinstead of a Sun Stone. It also likes being in the Sun, as its only ability is Chlorophyll.
