The blooms of the Kingdom

Thailand is a land of flowers — garlands at every shrine, orchids spilling from market stalls, lotus rising from temple ponds, marigolds heaped bright and gold at roadside stalls, and gardens that bloom the year round. This is a loving guide to the flowers of Thailand: what they are, what they mean, when they bloom, where to find them at their most beautiful, and how they thread through faith, festival and everyday Thai life.

The flowers

• National & royal flowers

  The golden Ratchaphruek and the royal blooms.

• Orchids

  Thailand's most famous flower family.

• Lotus & water lilies

  The sacred flower of temple ponds.

• Frangipani & jasmine

  The scented flowers of Thai life.

• Tropical blooms

  Bougainvillea, heliconia, ginger and more.

• Marigolds

  Dao ruang, the everyday gold of offering.

Culture, faith & festivals

• Meanings & symbolism

  Flowers in Thai belief and daily life.

• Garlands (phuang malai)

  The art of Thai flower garlands.

• Temple offerings

  Flowers as Buddhist devotion.

• Festivals

  Chiang Mai, Loy Krathong and more.

• Flowers in art

  Motifs in temples, silk and ceramics.

Seasons, places & practical

• Bloom calendar

  When each flower is at its best.

• Gardens & markets

  Where to see and buy flowers.

• Regional flowers

  How blooms change north to south.

• Growing Thai flowers

  Notes for tropical gardeners.

• Edible flowers

  The blooms Thailand eats.

• Botanical glossary

  Thai, common and Latin names.

• FAQ

  Common flower questions.