This could be due to a number of reasons, but the biggest is likely the wide range of bad Pokémon that have the typing (especially Sunkern), with a pretty low number of really good ones. The selection of Grass-types in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver is lackluster, especially when compared to other typings. Despite that, you might want a Grass monster on your team to deal with those Water, Ground, or Rock-types you’ll go up against. And here’s our rankings of the best ones worth chasing. Note: I’ve taken strength, utility, and accessibility into account here.
5. Vileplume
This was a tough choice whether to include Vileplume, or its counterpart Bellossom. But I ended up going with Vileplume since it’s easier to access & has generally higher damage output. It’s what I would call an “average Pokémon” to have on your team – so it gets the job done in a decent way. This can be improved with a varied moveset though. When you get to the final two Gyms of the Johto Region, you can bet Vileplume will help you out in a major way. How to get: You can find Oddish early in the game in the Ilex Forest. Then evolve into Gloom at level 21 and use a Leaf Stone on it to evolve into Vileplume.
4. Victreebel
This Pokémon fits a very similar mold to Vileplume, even being a Grass/Poison-type and having the same base-stat total. So why are we putting Victreebel higher? The reason is it’s higher base Speed, and more well-rounded stat distribution, which can help a little bit more in a regular playthrough. Not to mention you can add this into your party right from the first Johto gym. How to get: Bellsprout can be found as early as Route 31 in the wild, or in Sprout Tower. It evolves into Weepinbell at level 21, then use a Leaf Stone on it to evolve into Victreebel.
3. Exeggutor
I think it’s fair to say that Exeggutor is already pretty good with it’s typing of Grass/Psychic (as long as you keep it away from bugs). But it’s also able to hit opponents very hard with its high Special Attack stat of 125. The biggest downfall of Exeggutor is its relatively low Speed stat, meaning it will fall victim of quite a few attacks. But you can give it a Quick Claw to help with that – or with the right moveset, your slower speed won’t even matter. No matter how you play this giant leafy tree, Exeggutor is a solid pick for a Grass-type in HGSS. How to get: Most trees around the region have a chance of dropping an Exeggcute if you use Headbutt on them. Then just use a Leaf Stone on it at any level to evolve into Exeggutor.
2. Tangrowth
This ball of vines possesses a very powerful base-stat total of 535, and it’s able to take physical hits quite well while also dealing out good physical and special damage. What’s not to love here? It also has a decently diverse moveset in HGSS, with Earthquake being a staple move of Tangrowth. Yes, it is another slow Pokémon like most others on this list. But the rest of it’s stat allocation more than makes up for that. How to get: You can find Tangela in the grass of Route 44, and it evolves while leveling-up and knowing the move Ancientpower.
1. Meganium
Due to the lack of really good Grass-type Pokémon in HeartGold and SoulSilver, it should be no surprise that a starter would be at the top of this list. Chikorita and Bayleef may not handle the first couple Gym battles all that well… in fact, they kinda suck for both. But you’ll be happy to have a Meganium whenever you’re fighting Claire and her powerful Kingdra. And you could be grinding up this Pokémon throughout the entire game if you run it as a staple in your party – which is what I would suggest if you’re set on picking this starter from the very beginning. How to get: Pick Chikorita at the beginning of the game.
