Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods were synthesized on a-plane sapphire via a metal catalyzed vapor phase transport and condensation process in a two-zone vacuum furnace. Planar-tip and tapered-tip ZnO nanorods were successfully synthesized by utilizing different source materials under the same growth conditions. The growth mechanisms were proposed to be vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process for planar-tip ZnO nanorods and a combination of VLS and self-catalyzed processes for tapered-tip ZnO nanorods. From cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements, tapered-tip ZnO nanorods have more intense green emission than planar-tip ZnO nanorods, and therefore possess higher oxygen vacancy concentration than planar-tip ZnO nanorods. From CL characteristics, well-aligned planar-tip ZnO nanorods shall serve effectively as laser source, while well-aligned tapered-tip ZnO nanorods are suitable for direction-related optical applications.