9 Mesmerizing Malaysian Plants and Flowers
With over 15,000 species of flowers and plants, it’s safe to say that Malaysia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Some of these native plants can be found across various attractions such as Cameron Flora Park, while others are still undiscovered in the wild.
Personally, we think that these flowers and plants are great things to buy during your trip. This is because it doesn’t only give you a new plant to grow, but it will also let you take home a piece of Malaysia to remember your trip–two birds with one stone!
If you’re planning on adding more to your garden or you simply want to learn more about Malaysia’s native plants, we got you covered! Here are some of the best Malaysian plants you can admire or take home with you while you’re in the country:
Orchids
Orchids are some of the most common flowers you’ll find in Malaysia–in fact, you can find them growing on roadsides across the country! It’s also a diverse type of flower, as it has thousands of species that feature different sizes and colours.
The most common one you’ve probably seen is the purple species, which can be found almost everywhere in the country. If you want to look for different species of it, we recommend hiking in the rainforests of West Malaysia to add an adventure to your flower spotting!
These species thrive in these conditions because they need a strong source of light as well as a humid environment. It also helps that Malaysia features a tropical climate, making it a perfect home for these beautiful flowers.
Pro tip:
If you want to know if your orchids are getting the sunlight they need, check the colour of their leaves. When it’s bright and green, this means that the flowers are happy and healthy.
To ensure they get the best amount of sunlight, place them by your window. Make sure that the position allows it to get just enough sunlight and not too much.
Rafflesia
One flower that also doubles as a tourist attraction is the rafflesia. It’s dubbed the “corpse flower” and you’ll immediately understand why once you get a whiff of its scent.
Unlike other flowers that you’ll be more than happy to put up your nose and smell its fragrance, rafflesia stinks of a dying body. Nonetheless, it’s still a sight to see because of its unnaturally massive size, which can reach up to 1 metre!
Another cool characteristic that this flower has is its petals. It’s bright red and features a spotted pattern that has different shapes and sizes.
These flowers can’t be grown in captivity, but you’re always free to admire them in real life. Plus, do you really want to have your garden stink of corpse stench?
Pro tip:
Royal Belum State Park is the best place to visit if you want to see these gigantic flowers first-hand. This park offers tons of activities and beautiful sights, so you’ll get more enjoyment than just finding the flower itself!
Check out our guide to Royal Belum State Park here to help you prepare for your trip!
Ixora
Another common flower that you’ll find during one of your strolls in Malaysia is Ixora. They’re mostly found on bushes and shrubs, and they’re easy to detect among the green leaves because of their bright colours.
Aside from their vivid hues, another trait they have is their pointy petals, which is why they’re called “jejarum” in Malaysia, which translates to needle.
You can grow ixora in your yard, but they mostly flourish in tropical climates so do take that into consideration. It’s also recommended that they’re regularly fed with liquid fertilizer so that they could grow into their best look!
Pro tip:
If you don’t have a choice but to plant ixora in the shade, make sure that it doesn’t fully grow under it. It needs to experience some sunlight throughout the day to grow.
Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant
The Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plants are the closest thing you’ll get to an extra-terrestrial flower because of their odd appearance.
From the name itself, these flowers look like pitchers, and some of them even look like they’re filled with some kind of liquid. They kind of look like the Pokemon, Victreebel, which features a similar bell-shaped body.
They are quite deadly, however, as they’re carnivorous plants. The way they eat their prey is by luring them inside their “pitchers”, where they’ll get stuck until they’re digested by the plant.
Pitcher plants are protected in Sabah, which means you can own or trade them. Doing so will result in a hefty fine!
Pro tip:
Check out Borneo’s jungles if you want to see these exotic-looking plants in their best environment!
Bougainvillaea
Bougainvillaea is one of the brightest flowers you’ll ever see in Malaysia, or in other countries where it’s present for that matter. If you ever find yourself in Ipoh during your trip (which we highly recommend), you may see this plant multiple times, as it’s the state’s official flower.
Its colourful nature made it a common decorative flower for patios, balconies and yards for households around the country. Plus, it also helps that they’re one of the easiest flowers to grow, as they can flourish all year round.
Pro tip:
The best spot to place these flowers would be somewhere that experiences up to six hours of sunlight.
Begonia
Begonias are great to grow if you’re looking to give your yard a quick pop of colour. They can come in red, yellow, white and pink, which are all aesthetically-pleasing hues that can instantly elevate a shady place.
What makes them even more pleasant to look at is the fact that they grow in clumps, making them look like a bouquet as they bloom. This way, you won’t have to worry about presentability, as they’ll do the work for you!
The tropical climate in Malaysia makes it a perfect home for these flowers so make sure that your home can provide the same type of environment. Plus, make sure to water and feed them with fertilizers regularly!
Pro tip:
If you notice that the leaves of these flowers are rotting, this means that you’re watering them the wrong way. Always water begonias at the base and never at the leaves because leaving them damp will cause them to rot.
Sealing Wax Palm
If you’re looking to add a tad of colour to your monotonic green yard, you should take a look at Malaysia’s sealing wax palm. It gained the nickname “lipstick palm” because of the unusually bright red shaft that holds the spiky crowns, and it’s a great addition to your garden.
Like most palms, this plant can grow up to 52 feet! So, make sure that your garden meets the correct size before investing your hard-earned money in these beautiful plants.
Another thing that you should take note of is that these plants are a bit challenging to grow on your own. For starters, their soil needs to be well-drained at all times and they require high humidity to grow properly.
Pro tip:
A great way to determine if you’re overwatering your sealing wax palm is by checking its leaves. If they’re unusually yellow instead of green, this means that you’re watering them too much.
Utricularia Aurea
Utricularia Aurea resides in lakes, rivers or any other biome that features water. You can easily spot these floating on large leaves in waters thanks to their glowing golden-yellow petals, hence its English name, Golden Floating Bladderwort.
Aquatic Bladderworts are tough to grow but are great plants to have if you have a pond. This is because aside from providing a splash of colour, they’re also great for maintenance, as they’ll feed on insects and their larvae.
Pro tip:
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of growing them by yourself, don’t worry! Golden Floating Bladderworts are sold in numerous stores in the country as an ornamental plant for ponds.
Pagoda
Pagoda is a special native flower in Malaysia that’s often used in grand events such as weddings. This is because it features a unique and colourful appearance that features colours such as red, orange and white.
They are small but they don’t fall short on providing beauty to an overall mundane place. Plus, the best part is that you can grow them yourself in your own garden or yard!
Just make sure that you can provide the right environment so that they can flourish into their most beautiful form! One thing you need to keep in mind is that they require tons of sunlight and water, especially during their growing stage.
Pro tip:
If you want them to bloom beautifully, we recommend planting them in moist soil and watering them regularly. This is especially important to remember if you’re living in a country that’s mostly dry, as they can easily wither under these conditions.
On the other hand, if you live in cooler places, you need to limit your watering to prevent them from being overwatered.