A List of Our Top 5 Favorite Hawaiian Tropical Flowers

Come take a stroll through a tropical garden with us. In this list you will find a collection of exotic flowers to dazzle your senses. From the iconic hibiscus flower and unique heliconia, to rainbow plumeria and the tropical bird of paradise, these Hawaiian tropical flowers will lure you to an island paradise full of heavenly fragrances and beautiful color. We have paired gorgeous photos of these stunning flowers with images of my Hawaiian flower paintings. The exotic blooms found in Hawaii are a huge inspiration for my art. I am so excited to share my love of these botanical masterpieces with you. Let's get started!

Photo of plumeria flower by Eleonora Patricola

Plumeria flowers come in a broad array of different colors and grow on large deciduous trees that shed their leaves in the winter. This bare tree is a puzzling sight for many who expect the tropics to be full of flourishing vegetation no matter the time of year. If you want to see lush Hawaiian flowering trees, we recommend May through July for the best floral display. 

Though not endemic (native) to the islands of Hawaii, these flowering trees are such a special addition to Hawaiian gardens and landscaping. They have adapted quite well into the local environment and have become quite special to local culture.

No list of Hawaiian tropical flowers would be complete without the Hibiscus. This flower has become synonymous with all things tropical. Below is a collection of hibiscus images to bring you a little bit of that Aloha spirit. 

Hawaiian hibiscus by Paje Victoria

From the deep red hibiscus, to the rainbow hibiscus, there is an endless spectrum of hibiscus plant varieties and colors. Master growers the world over are expertly curating their creations to bring our various traits and characteristics. Many of these can be found in the tropical gardens and landscaping in Hawaii. You can see one such specimen in the image below. 

"Radiance" hibiscus painting by Karen Whitworth

King protea picture by Jelle de Gier 

From the time of the dinosaurs...

These prehistoric flowers are not endemic to Hawaii and are another transplant to the islands. The arid volcanic soil and high elevation of the island slopes are the ideal growing environment for protea. I love how unique these exotic flowers are. 

"Sunlit Protea" painting of tropical protea Hawaii flowers by Karen Whitworth

Bird of Paradise photo by Lili Kovac 

From another planet...

I remember being fascinated by these flowers when I saw them for the first time. They were so otherworldly that my brain could not fathom such a being existing here on earth. These beautiful flowers are a staple in many Hawaiian gardens and they even can be seen growing in the median of various highways in Hawaii. The sight of such a rare exotic bird in an incredibly pedestrian setting still amuses me to this day. 

"If looks could kill" Bird of Paradise painting by Karen Whitworth

Excellent Fresh Flowers

The bird of paradise flower is excellent for fresh flower arrangements. Tropical florists will often use these stunning flowers in a variety of their floral creations. One of my favorite tropical flower sellers is Blooms of Hawaii. They not only sell gorgeous tropical flower arrangements shipped fresh to your door, but they also allow you to buy the fresh tropical flower stems individually. One of the many flower varieties they carry is the bird of paradise. I am not affiliated with them, I am very much a huge fan of their flowers. Be sure to check out their shop!

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