Beautiful Blossoms: 7 Tropical Flowers in Hawaii

Back in 1988, Hawaii decided to designate the yellow hibiscus as the state’s official flower. Also referred to as Pua Aloalo or Ma`o-hau-hele, the yellow hibiscus is native to Hawaii and found on all of the main Hawaiian islands.

The yellow hibiscus is far from the only flower that you’ll find in Hawaii, though! There are so many different tropical flowers in Hawaii. So many, in fact, that every single Hawaiian island has its very own official flower.

If you’re looking to send a gift to someone to let them know how much they mean to you, you can’t go wrong with sending Hawaiian flowers. But before you send them, it’s a good idea to take the time to learn more about your options.

Here are seven tropical flowers in Hawaii that would make the perfect gift for that special someone in your life.

1. Plumeria

All of the flowers in Hawaii have special meanings within Hawaiian culture. But you could argue that none are more special to the Hawaiian people than plumeria flowers.

Plumeria flowers are often either bright pink or yellow, and they have a very strong, easily recognizable smell that sets them apart from other flowers in Hawaii. They’re meant to symbolize love and hope, which is what makes them such a welcomed sight in Hawaii.

Plumeria flowers are also used to symbolize the romantic status of a woman in Hawaii. If she places a plumeria flower in her hair behind her left ear, it’s meant to show others that she’s involved in a relationship. If, however, she wears it behind her right ear, it’s meant to let others know she’s single and interested in meeting someone.

Believe it or not, plumeria flowers did not originate in Hawaii despite their high level of importance. They were actually discovered in Mexico back in the 1800s.

But that hasn’t stopped them from transforming into one of the most prominent flowers in Hawaii today.

2. Bird of Paradise

Unlike plumeria flowers, bird of paradise flowers are native to Hawaii. You’ll see them just about everywhere you go when you visit a place like Maui.

It’s hard to miss bird of paradise flowers when you’re around them. They’re orange and blue, and they’re found growing out of hibiscus bushes. They don’t smell, but they do stand out in a crowd thanks to their striking appearance.

Bird of paradise flowers symbolize many things to Hawaiians, including joy and freedom. It’s why they’re often included in beautiful bouquets put out at Hawaiian hotels and other places of business.

3. Ginger

Just about all of the flowers in Hawaii are beautiful in their own way. But very few of them prove to be as useful as the ginger flowers found in the state.

There are a bunch of different kinds of ginger flowers in Hawaii that come in a range of colors, including blue, pink, red, yellow, and white. These flowers are used to create everything from traditional Hawaiian dishes to shampoo.

There are some Hawaiian landscapers who can’t stand ginger flowers because of how hard it can be to get them to stop growing in certain areas. But their rich colors and purposeful ingredients make them a favorite of those visiting the state.

4. Anthurium

Much like the aforementioned plumeria flowers, anthurium flowers are not indigenous to Hawaii. They were first discovered in different parts of Central and South America, mostly growing in humid rainforests.

They were brought to Hawaii in the late 1800s, and ever since then, they’ve made a name for themselves in the state. There are more than 1,000 different types of anthurium that you’ll find growing in Hawaii today.

Some of the most common types of anthurium include:

• Obake anthurium
• Lady Jane anthurium
• Purple arc anthurium
• Rainbow anthurium
• Pink anthurium
• Midori anthurium

Each specific type of anthurium features a different dazzling color. During a trip to Hawaii, it’s fun to see how many different types you can find scattered around on the various islands.

5. Orchid

You can’t talk about flowers in Hawaii and not mention leis! Leis have become synonymous with Hawaii, and while there are many flowers that can be used to create leis, orchids are some of the most common flowers found in them.

Hawaiian orchids can be any number of colors. But the ones used to make leis are usually either purple or white.

In Hawaii, orchids represent beauty and luxury. You can find them in different places throughout the state, but they’re most often found growing in Hawaiian rainforests.

6. Pikake

Many Hawaiian leis contain orchids. But there are also other flowers, like pikake flowers, that have found a home in leis over the years.

Pikake flowers are among the most fragrant flowers in Hawaii, and they have such a distinct smell that their scent is considered to be one of the signature scents of the state.

Pikake flowers are often favored by brides and hula dancers. They also have the distinction of being named by Princess Kaiulani. She named pikake flowers after the peacock, which was her favorite bird.

7. Heliconia

You’ll have to travel a little bit off the beaten path in Hawaii to find heliconia flowers like upright heliconia flowers. They grow in the mountains and in some of the parks located throughout the state.

Because of this, these flowers are taller, heavier, and thicker than almost all of the other flowers in Hawaii. They come in colors like pink, yellow, and red.

Upright heliconia flowers are added to many Hawaiian bouquets to provide them with height and density. There are also other great heliconia flowers, like tropic fleur heliconia flowers, that can be used in tropical floral arrangements.

Tropical Flowers in Hawaii Make Amazing Gifts

If you’re ever fortunate enough to visit Hawaii, your trip won’t be complete until you get the chance to see every last one of these flowers. The flowers in Hawaii are unforgettable, so make sure you’re able to see as many of them as you possibly can.

Consider sending Hawaiian flowers the next time you decide to send someone a bouquet of flowers, too. They’ll be amazed by how beautiful the flowers that come from Hawaii truly are.

Contact us today to find out how you can create a gorgeous tropical flower arrangement using flowers from The Aloha State.