Evolve Gloom with a Leaf Stone once you are ready to use Vileplume. Hold off only if you want Gloom’s own level-up moves first: Moonlight is learned at level 35 and Acid at level 24, while Petal Dance arrives at level 44 for Gloom and for Vileplume alike. The one evolution that cannot happen yet is Bellossom via Sun Stone, which FireRed and LeafGreen block until you have the National Pokédex.
Gloom’s two evolution routes in FireRed and LeafGreen
Gloom has two evolution branches in Generation III. Which one you take changes the final form and the moves available after evolution.
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| Route | Item | Evolves into | Level-up moves listed for the evolved form | Restriction in FireRed/LeafGreen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf Stone branch | Leaf Stone | Vileplume | Absorb, Aromatherapy, Mega Drain, and Stun Spore at level 1; Petal Dance at 44 | None stated in the cited sources |
| Sun Stone branch | Sun Stone | Bellossom | Absorb, Magical Leaf, Stun Spore, and Sweet Scent at level 1; Petal Dance at 44; SolarBeam at 55 | The evolution is interrupted until the National Pokédex has been obtained (Bulbapedia) |
Level-up data for both evolved forms comes from the Generation III learnsets on Pokémon Database for Vileplume and Pokémon Database for Bellossom.
Gloom’s own level-up moves
Gloom’s Generation III level-up list in FireRed and LeafGreen, as shown on Pokémon Database’s Gloom learnset, is:
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- Level 1: Absorb, PoisonPowder, Sweet Scent
- Level 7: Sweet Scent
- Level 14: PoisonPowder
- Level 16: Stun Spore
- Level 18: Sleep Powder
- Level 24: Acid
- Level 35: Moonlight
- Level 44: Petal Dance
Moonlight is therefore the only move in this list that Vileplume’s level-up data does not repeat. Acid is also absent from the evolved forms’ listed data.
How to decide when to evolve
Evolve early with a Leaf Stone for Vileplume
If you want the final Grass/Poison form quickly and do not need Moonlight, use the Leaf Stone whenever you are ready. Vileplume’s listed level-up moves begin at level 1 with Absorb, Aromatherapy, Mega Drain, and Stun Spore, so there is no level-up milestone you must reach as Gloom to keep those options.
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Hold Gloom until level 35 for Moonlight
Moonlight is learned by Gloom at level 35, and the evolved forms’ listed level-up data does not include it. If you want that move from level-up learning, stay Gloom until the level-35 learning point, then evolve when convenient.
Petal Dance does not require waiting as Gloom
Gloom learns Petal Dance at level 44, but Vileplume and Bellossom both list Petal Dance at the same level. Waiting to 44 as Gloom therefore only matters if you specifically want the move to appear while the Pokémon is still Gloom. For most teams, evolving first and leveling the final form to 44 gives the same level-up result.
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Use a Sun Stone for Bellossom only after the National Pokédex
- Obtain the National Pokédex in your save.
- Open the Bag and use a Sun Stone on Gloom.
- Expect Gloom to evolve into Bellossom. Before the National Pokédex is obtained, the Sun Stone evolution does not proceed.
Bellossom has the longer Generation III move list in this data, including SolarBeam at level 55, so the Sun Stone route is the choice when you want that final form rather than Vileplume’s Mega Drain.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this comparison does and does not cover
- The comparison uses level-up move data from Generation III learnsets for FireRed and LeafGreen only. It does not cover TM, HM, tutor, or egg moves, which can change the best evolution timing for a specific team.
- The listed levels are the levels at which each form learns each move through level-up. Whether a move that was skipped can be recovered later through a move reminder depends on the save and the game version, and this article does not establish those options.
- The Bellossom restriction is the one evolution-blocking rule noted in the cited sources. Other evolution conditions are not discussed here.
Within those limits, the choice is about final form and move timing: Vileplume with a Leaf Stone for a quick evolution, Gloom held to level 35 for Moonlight, or Bellossom with a Sun Stone once the National Pokédex is in hand.
Quick Recap
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