Have you ever wondered what it takes for a flower to be considered rare?
Nature is full of extraordinary blooms, some of which are so unique that they bloom only once a year, a decade, or even once every few thousand years. With over 6,000 endangered plant species worldwide, certain flowers have become renowned for their rarity and captivating beauty.
Unfortunately, deforestation and habitat destruction have significantly reduced the populations of these stunning plants making them even harder to find in the wild.
Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii)
- Plant Type: Epiphytic Orchid
- Native: Florida, Cuba, Bahamas
- Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall
- Hardiness Zone: 10-11
The Ghost Orchid is renowned because it appears to float in mid-air thanks to its leafless stem and delicate, white blooms that resemble a spectral figure. Its pale flowers, measuring about 3-4 inches across, have intricate, wavy petals and a distinctive trilobed lip adding to its otherworldly charm.
This plant thrives in warm, high-humidity environments and prefers filtered light, as direct sunlight can damage its fragile structure. Its photosynthetic roots cling to the bark of host trees for nourishment.
Now estimated only 2,000 individuals remain in the wild. However, growing ghost orchids is challenging. If people do not make efforts to care for, they may quickly become extinct.
Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)
- Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Native: Sumatra, Indonesia
- Mature Size: Up to 10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
- Hardiness Zone: 10-11
The corpse flower is famous for its enormous size and distinctive odor. Its deep burgundy spathe surrounds a towering spadix, creating a dramatic visual spectacle.
The plant’s nickname “Corpse Flower” arises from the pungent smell of rotting flesh it emits during bloom, this smell attracts pollinators like carrion beetles and flies.
This flower thrives in warm, humid environments and requires well-drained, fertile soil. There are about 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild. IUCN estimates the population has declined more than 50% over the past 150 years.
Middlemist Red (Camellia japonica)
- Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
- Native: China
- Mature Size: 6-15 feet tall and wide
- Hardiness Zone: 7-9
The Middlemist Red is one of the rarest flowers in the world, with only two known specimens in existence-one in New Zealand and the other in the UK. This exquisite flower boasts striking deep pink blooms that resemble roses. Each blossom owns layers of velvety petals creating a lush, full appearance.
Middlemist red prefers partially shaded areas and well-drained, acidic soil. Cultivating this flower requires dedication and precise care, ensuring protection from extreme temperatures and proper watering.
Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
- Plant Type: Perennial Vine
- Native: Philippines
- Mature Size: 30-50 feet long
- Hardiness Zone: 10-11
The Jade Vine is renowned for its striking turquoise blooms. It produces cascades of claw-shaped flowers that hang in clusters, sometimes reaching up to 3 feet in length. The vivid turquoise color of the flowers is so unique that it almost appears surreal.
This unique flower requires a warm, humid environment with plenty of moisture and well-drained soil. It prefers partial to full sunlight and benefits from a sturdy support structure to accommodate its extensive growth.
The destruction of rainforests in the Philippines threatens this species in the wild. Therefore, the rarity of the Jade Vine is a prestigious for gardeners and collectors.
Youtan Poluo
- Plant Type: Perennial Herb
- Native: Asia
- Mature Size: Extremely small, about 1mm in diameter
This enigmatic flower is said to bloom once every 3,000 years. The blooms are incredibly tiny, measuring only about 1mm in diameter, and are almost translucent white. Their appearance is delicate and ethereal resembling tiny pearls or dewdrops resting on the plant’s stem.
The exact environmental conditions for the Youtan Poluo remain largely unknown. The plant is believed to grow in both temperate and tropical climates, but sightings are extremely rare.
While there is still much to learn about this elusive flower, the Youtan Poluo continues to captivate those who are fortunate enough to encounter it. Cultivating it is a challenge due to the lack of concrete information making it a prized subject for botanists and plant enthusiasts.
Gibraltar Campion (Silene tomentosa)
- Plant Type: Perennial Herb
- Native: Gibraltar
- Mature Size: 10-15 inches tall
- Hardiness Zone: 7-9
The Gibraltar Campion grows exclusively on the rocky cliffs of Gibraltar. The plant produces delicate, pink to pale purple flowers with a charming, star-like shape.
This flower thrives in well-drained soil with partial to full sunlight. Its natural habitat on Gibraltar’s cliffs provides it with the perfect combination of sunlight and drainage.
The Gibraltar Campion appeared on the IUCN Red List and it was once thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994. However, thanks to efforts, these now exist at the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.
Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
- Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Native: Mexico
- Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 7-10
The Chocolate Cosmos is known for its unique chocolate-like fragrance. This herbaceous perennial features velvety, deep burgundy petals that almost appear black in certain lights.
Chocolate Cosmos prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It flourishes in warm climates, requiring regular watering but with good drainage to prevent root rot. This rare flower is often grown from tubers, as it no longer exists in the wild and has to be propagated through careful cultivation.
The Chocolate Cosmos was almost extinct but in 2015 a scarce wild population helped save their seeds.
Franklin Tree Flower (Franklinia alatamaha)
- Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub/Small Tree
- Native: Altamaha River, Georgia, USA
- Mature Size: 10-20 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
The Franklin Tree Flower is renowned for its striking, camellia-like white flowers with bright yellow centers. Each blossom measuring around 3 inches in diameter exudes a delicate fragrance. Specially, its dark green leaves turn a vibrant red in the fall providing a stunning display of color.
This deciduous shrub prefers well-drained, acidic soil and a sunny to partially shaded location. It requires consistent moisture but is sensitive to waterlogged conditions.
Researcher Keith Stewart Thomson is the last person to observe Franklin tree flower in the wild in the early 19th century. Now. this flower survives solely through cultivation.
Kadupul Flower (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
- Plant Type: Epiphytic Cactus
- Native: Sri Lanka
- Mature Size: 10-20 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 10-11
The Kadupul Flower, also known as the Queen of the Night is renowned for its large, fragrant, white blooms that only open at night.
The flowers can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. They have a delicate, ethereal beauty that captivates anyone lucky enough to witness them. Their blooming is a rare event, and each bloom lasts only a few hours, wilting before dawn.
Kadupul Flower prefers warm, humid environments with filtered light. It grows best in well-draining soil and needs regular watering, but care should be taken to avoid waterlogged conditions. Due to an epiphyte, it often grows on other plants without drawing nutrients from them, relying instead on the surrounding environment.
This flower also has ties with Hinduism and Buddhism where it is often considered a sacred and auspicious flower. Its breathtaking beauty and enchanting fragrance make it a prized addition to any garden or collection.
Yellow and Purple Lady Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus)
- Plant Type: Perennial Orchid
- Native: Europe, Asia
- Mature Size: 12-24 inches tall
- Hardiness Zone: 3-7
The Yellow and Purple Lady Slipper is famous for its vibrant yellow pouch-like flowers resembling a slipper, accented by deep purple sepals. A plant usually grows for 11-12 years before it starts blooming measuring about 2-3 inches across.
This plant prefers cool, shaded environments with rich, well-drained soil. It requires consistent moisture and benefits from a mulch layer to retain soil humidity.
Lady slippers used to be popular in Asia and Europe, however, forest clearance and uprooting by Victorians cleared out most of them. In 1917 the lady slipper was officially declared extinct but it was found then in North England. If you are caught picking one branch of this flower, you can be fined up to £5000.
Juliet Rose (Rosa ‘Juliet’)
- Plant Type: Shrub Rose
- Native: Cultivated in the UK
- Mature Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
The Juliet Rose is created by renowned rose breeder David Austin, this stunning shrub rose is celebrated for its large, elegant blooms that showcase a soft apricot hue.
Each flower with its delicately ruffled petals resembles a finely crafted piece of art. The Juliet Rose is often referred to as the “£3 million rose” due to the extensive 15-year breeding process and substantial investment required to bring it to life.
This flower prefers well-drained, fertile soil and benefits from full to partial sunlight. Regular watering and annual pruning are essential to maintain its health and encourage prolific blooming.
The rose’s robust nature makes it relatively easy to care for rewarding gardeners with an abundance of breathtaking blooms throughout the growing season. In addition, the Juliet Rose symbolizes love, grace, and luxury which is suitable for weddings and special occasions.
Blue Puya (Puya berteroniana)
- Plant Type: Perennial Bromeliad
- Native: Chile
- Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide
- Hardiness Zone: 8-10
The Blue Puya is renowned for its vibrant turquoise-blue flowers. The flowers are clustered on tall, spike-like inflorescences with bright orange stamens that can reach up to 6 feet in height.
This plant prefers well-drained, sandy soil and a sunny location. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand harsh conditions but it requires protection from severe frost.
The Blue Puya is typically found in arid, mountainous regions where it flourishes in the rocky terrain. Due to its specific growing conditions and rarity in cultivation, the Blue Puya is highly sought after by plant enthusiasts.
Parrot’s Beak (Lotus berthelotii)
- Plant Type: Perennial Herb
- Native: Canary Islands
- Mature Size: 6-8 inches tall, 24-36 inches spread
- Hardiness Zone: 9-11
The name “Parrot’s Beak” is derived from its vivid, curved blooms that resemble the beak of a parrot. These flowers come in brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow with approximately 1-2 inches length, and they are often produced in clusters.
This perennial herb prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight. It flourishes in warm climates and is well-suited to rock gardens and containers where its trailing stems can spill over the edges. It is also drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during dry periods.
In 1884 it was already classed as “exceedingly rare” due to its specific growing requirements and limited natural habitat. It used to be widely cultivated but was either extinct in the wild or persists as a few individuals.
Kokio (Kokia drynarioides)
- Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
- Native: Hawaii, USA
- Mature Size: 10-33 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 10-11
The Kokio stands out with its vibrant, scarlet red blooms and lobed and dark green leaves. Each flower,about 3 inches in diameter has a unique structure with overlapping petals and a prominent central stamen.
Kokio thrives in warm, tropical climates. It grows best in well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil and requires full sunlight to partial shade. The tree is drought-tolerant once established, but benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods.
The wild Kokia cookei is extinct. There are currently 23 grafted plants and seven persons being grown on the islands of O’ahu and Maui. One another is on the island of Hawaii, and the remaining fifteen individuals are located at Puu Nana.
Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula simia)
- Plant Type: Epiphytic Orchid
- Native: Cloud forests of Peru and Ecuador
- Mature Size: 12-20 inches tall
- Hardiness Zone: 11-12
The Monkey Face Orchid captures the imagination with its unique blooms resembling the face of a monkey. This epiphytic orchid grows at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 meters.
Its flowers, which can bloom year-round, display a striking resemblance to a monkey’s face, complete with a pair of eyes, a nose, and a mouth. The blooms are typically a creamy white with red and brown markings creating a lifelike and whimsical appearance.
The Monkey Face Orchid requires cool temperatures, high humidity, and low to medium light conditions. It prefers well-draining, bark-based orchid potting mix and needs to be kept moist but not waterlogged. The plant’s unique growing requirements make it a challenge to cultivate, but the reward of its extraordinary flowers is well worth the effort.
Fire Lily (Gloriosa superba)
- Plant Type: Perennial Climbing Vine
- Native: Africa, Asia
- Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 9-11
The Fire Lily is also known as the Flame Lily or Glory Lily. This perennial climbing vine is celebrated for its vibrant, flame-colored flowers that exhibit a breathtaking mix of red, orange, and yellow hues.
Each bloom features dramatically recurved petals that resemble tongues of fire, giving the plant its fiery name. The flowers, about 3-4 inches in diameter, are arranged on slender, twining stems that can climb up to 6 feet in height.
The Fire Lily prefers well-drained, sandy soil and a sunny to partially shaded location. It flourishes in warm, humid climates and requires a support structure to accommodate its climbing habit. The plant is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during dry spells.
It is important to note that all parts of the Fire Lily are toxic if ingested, so caution is advised when handling and planting it.
Darwin’s Slippers (Calceolaria uniflora)
- Plant Type: Perennial Herb
- Native: Patagonia, South America
- Mature Size: 3-6 inches tall
- Hardiness Zone: 5-7
Darwin’s Slippers get flowers that resemble tiny slippers, with a striking combination of bright yellow, orange, and white, often accented by a deep red spot. The vibrant blooms create a vivid contrast against the rugged Patagonian landscape.
These flowers prefer cool, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They are well adapted to harsh, windy conditions and can often be found growing in rocky, alpine terrains.
Its bright, cheerful flowers and diminutive size add a unique charm to rock gardens and alpine plant collections. Successful cultivation of Darwin’s Slippers requires replicating their natural environment as closely as possible.
Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)
- Plant Type: Perennial Herb
- Native: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia)
- Mature Size: 2-3 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 10-11
The Black Bat Flower owns deep, velvety black blooms, featuring long, whisker-like bracts that can extend up to 28 inches, resembling a bat in flight. Each flower cluster can be up to 12 inches across, creating a striking visual display that is both eerie and fascinating.
This plant prefers warm, humid environments with partial to full shade. It grows best in well-draining, rich soil that is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. It is also ideally suited for tropical and subtropical gardens, greenhouses, or as a unique indoor specimen.
Although the Black Bat flower is not officially listed by the IUCN, most experts regard it as endangered because of climate change threating their living environment.
Sea Poison Tree (Barringtonia asiatica)
- Plant Type: Evergreen Tree
- Native: Coastal regions of the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific
- Mature Size: 30-50 feet tall
- Hardiness Zone: 10-12
The Sea Poison Tree is also called the Box Fruit Tree or Fish Poison Tree. It is known for its large, fragrant, brush-like flowers that are an enchanting sight, particularly at night when they bloom. The flowers, which can be up to 12 inches long, are composed of numerous white stamens with pink tips, creating a spectacular appearance that attracts pollinators such as bats and moths.
This plant prefers warm, tropical climates and is commonly found in sandy or rocky coastal areas. It is well adapted to saline conditions and can withstand occasional flooding. It produces large, box-shaped fruits that float on water, aiding in its dispersion along coastlines.
Note that the seeds and parts of the plant are toxic and have been traditionally used as a fish poison. Cultivating the Sea Poison Tree can be rewarding, but it requires careful handling due to its toxic properties.
Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum)
- Plant Type: Perennial Orchid
- Native: Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
- Mature Size: 20-24 inches tall
- Hardiness Zone: 11-12
Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid or the Gold of Kinabalu, is native to the slopes of Mount Kinabalu in Borneo and thrives at altitudes between 500 and 1,200 meters. Its striking flowers, with deep burgundy and yellow stripes and a unique slipper-shaped lip, grow on tall stems and can reach up to 12 inches across.
This orchid discovered by explorer Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach is highly sought after due to its exclusive location and distinctive appearance.
Once thought extinct, it was rediscovered in 1959, but illegal deforestation threatens its habitat. Conservation efforts are crucial as a single Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid can sell for up to $5,000.
