Popular Hawaiian Flowers in Lei, Art & Fashion

The Most Popular Hawaiian Flowers in Lei, Artwork, and Fashion

Few places in the world are as deeply connected to flowers as Hawaiʻi. From vibrant leis to fashion prints and even architectural motifs, Hawaiian flowers are more than decoration—they are living symbols of aloha, beauty, and connection to the land.

Certain flowers, like plumeria, hibiscus, and pikake, have become iconic, beloved not only in the islands but around the world. Each carries its own meaning, history, and cultural uses in lei-making, artwork, and fashion.

This article explores the most popular Hawaiian flowers, their cultural significance, and how they continue to shape art, fashion, and identity in Hawaiʻi.

Plumeria (Frangipani)

Perhaps the most recognized flower associated with Hawaiʻi, the plumeria is prized for its fragrant blooms and iconic five-petal shape. Though plumeria is not native to Hawaiʻi (it was introduced from Mexico and Central America in the 19th century), it has become one of the islands’ most beloved flowers.

Uses:

• Lei: Plumeria leis are common for graduations, birthdays, and everyday greetings.
• Fashion: Its star-shaped form is frequently seen in aloha shirt and muʻumuʻu patterns.
• Art: Plumeria flowers are often painted in tropical art, symbolizing relaxation and aloha.

Cultural Symbolism:

In Hawaiʻi, wearing a plumeria behind the right ear traditionally signals that a person is single, while wearing it behind the left ear indicates they are taken.

Hibiscus – The State Flower of Hawaiʻi

The hibiscus is Hawaiʻi’s official state flower, with the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) designated in 1988. Known for its large, trumpet-shaped blossoms, hibiscus is native to Hawaiʻi and thrives in the islands’ tropical climate.

Uses:

• Lei: Though delicate and short-lived, hibiscus is sometimes used in temporary leis or haku (head lei).
• Fashion: Hibiscus motifs dominate aloha wear and swimwear designs, often used as a bold tropical print.
• Artwork: As a state symbol, the hibiscus frequently appears in logos, public murals, and tourism branding.

Cultural Symbolism:

The hibiscus represents delicate beauty and fleeting moments—its flowers typically last only a day.

Pikake (Jasmine)

The pikake is a small, white flower known for its intoxicating fragrance. Originally brought from India, pikake was named by Princess Kaiulani after her beloved peacocks (“pikake” in Hawaiian).

Uses:

• Lei: Pikake leis are highly prized, especially for weddings and formal occasions, symbolizing love and purity.
• Fashion: Its delicate form is less often printed but is celebrated in jewelry, particularly in gold and shell designs.
• Cultural Use: Often given as a sign of affection, pikake is associated with romance and elegance.

Cultural Symbolism:

Pikake’s strong fragrance has made it a favorite in perfumery, where it is still used as a classic Hawaiian scent.

Tuberose (Kupaloke)

Introduced to Hawaiʻi in the 19th century, tuberose is cherished for its strong, sweet aroma and long-lasting blossoms.

Uses:

• Lei: Tuberose leis are classic choices for graduations and weddings. They are often combined with orchids or roses to create fuller, more ornate leis.
• Fashion & Art: Its presence in lei culture rather than fashion prints makes it a flower experienced primarily through fragrance.

Cultural Symbolism:

Tuberose symbolizes peace and purity, often used in ceremonies and significant life milestones.

Orchids (Okika)

Orchids are not native to Hawaiʻi but are widely cultivated and woven into lei-making traditions. Their resilience and variety have made them a staple in both everyday and special-occasion leis.

Uses:

• Lei: Orchid leis, especially the purple dendrobium, are among the most common leis given to visitors arriving in Hawaiʻi.
• Fashion: Orchids are printed in high-end aloha wear, symbolizing exotic elegance.
• Art: Orchid blooms often appear in photography and botanical art.

Cultural Symbolism:

Orchids are associated with refinement, beauty, and strength, and their long-lasting nature makes them practical for travel and gifting.

Ilima – Oʻahu’s Official Flower

The ʻilima is a small, golden-yellow flower that has been used in Hawaiian lei-making for centuries. It is the official island flower of Oʻahu.

Uses:

• Lei: ʻIlima leis are considered highly prestigious, once worn only by aliʻi (royalty). Today, they are still regarded as special, often gifted at important ceremonies.
• Fashion & Art: Because ʻilima leis require hundreds of small blossoms, they symbolize patience and careful craftsmanship rather than mass-produced prints.

Cultural Symbolism:

ʻIlima represents love, respect, and honor, making its leis deeply meaningful.

Crown Flower (Pua Kalaunu)

The crown flower (Calotropis gigantea) is best known as a favorite of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaiʻi. Its blossoms resemble small crowns, hence the name.

Uses:

• Lei: Crown flower leis are hardy and long-lasting, often worn in formal ceremonies.
• Cultural Use: The flower is closely tied to Hawaiian history through its association with the monarchy.

Cultural Symbolism:

The crown flower is linked with dignity, strength, and remembrance of Hawaiʻi’s royal heritage.

Anthurium

Although native to Central and South America, anthuriums have become strongly associated with Hawaiʻi. Known for their glossy, heart-shaped spathes in red, pink, or green, they are popular in floral arrangements and hotel displays.

Uses:

• Lei: Rarely used for leis, but common in decorative arrangements.
• Fashion & Art: Anthuriums often appear in modern Hawaiian art and luxury aloha wear prints.

Cultural Symbolism:

Anthuriums symbolize hospitality and aloha, fitting seamlessly into Hawaiʻi’s cultural identity.

Ginger (Awapuhi)

Several varieties of ginger flowers—such as red ginger and white ginger—are cultivated in Hawaiʻi for both fragrance and beauty.

Uses:

• Lei: Ginger leis, particularly the white variety, are known for their fragrance and elegance.
• Cultural Use: Red ginger often decorates homes, hotels, and public spaces in Hawaiʻi, adding vibrant tropical flair.

Cultural Symbolism:

Ginger flowers represent strength, prosperity, and natural abundance.

Hawaiian Flowers in Fashion, Art, and Everyday Life

Beyond lei-making, Hawaiian flowers are central to fashion and design. Aloha shirts and dresses often feature hibiscus, plumeria, and orchids as repeating motifs. Modern designers like Sig Zane incorporate indigenous plants into textile patterns, linking fashion to Hawaiian genealogy and land.

In artwork, flowers appear in murals, paintings, and photography that highlight their symbolic and natural beauty. For locals and visitors alike, flowers are also a part of daily life—from adorning hair to decorating homes, they remain ever-present reminders of Hawaiʻi’s deep connection to nature.

Final Thoughts

Hawaiian flowers like plumeria, hibiscus, pikake, tuberose, orchids, and ʻilima are more than just blossoms. They are cultural treasures, woven into the fabric of Hawaiian identity through lei-making, art, and fashion.

Each flower carries its own story and symbolism—whether it’s the romance of pikake, the prestige of ʻilima, or the bold spirit of hibiscus. Together, they remind us that in Hawaiʻi, flowers are not only admired for their beauty but cherished as living symbols of aloha.