What Flowers Are Used in Traditional Leis and Their Cultural Significance

Leis are more than just floral garlands—they are symbols of welcome, celebration, and deep cultural connection, especially in Hawaiian tradition. The choice of flowers plays a vital role in conveying emotion and meaning.

The mao hau hele (plumeria) is perhaps the most iconic flower in Hawaiian leis, symbolizing beauty and new beginnings. Other cherished blooms include orchids, representing refinement and strength, and hibiscus, the state flower, embodying hospitality and warmth. These flowers are carefully selected not only for their scent and color but for their cultural resonance, honoring the land and ancestral traditions.

Each flower in a lei carries symbolic weight: plumeria signifies purity and joy, orchids reflect elegance and resilience, and gardenia represents secret love and reverence. Understanding these meanings enhances the emotional impact of gifting or wearing a lei, transforming a simple adornment into a heartfelt message.

While traditional flowers remain central, modern leis often incorporate tropical favorites like heliconia for vibrant texture and bird of paradise for bold visual impact. Regional availability also influences selection—local blooms such as gardenias or native hala petals add authenticity and sustainability to lei-making.

Choosing the right flowers for a lei is a meaningful act rooted in tradition and intention. From plumeria’s timeless grace to orchids’ delicate strength, each bloom tells a story. Whether crafting at home or receiving a handmade lei, understanding these floral symbols enriches the experience and deepens connection to culture and care.

Lei Flowers: What Is Used to Create a Traditional Hawaiian Lei Were you one of the 9.3 million people who visited the Aloha State in 2017? If so, you were likely greeted with a beautiful necklace of lei flowers. The lei dates back thousands of years to the goddess Kuku'ena, who. It received its name pua kenikeni ("10-cent flower") in Hawaii, because each flower was once sold for 10 cents each in the early days when it was first used to make lei.

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino 5. Maile Lei The only Hawaii native on this list, the vines of the scented maile plant are used to create this leafy lei.

Flower Leis Flowers are just one of the materials used to create the beautiful leis of Hawaii, but they are perhaps the best known. Flowers come in so many shapes, sizes, colors and scent variations that every flower lei is a unique work of art. Lei flowers are a culturally significant subset of Hawaii's floriculture, encompassing the blossoms, foliage, and vines used to create Hawaiian lei garlands.

On Hawaii Island, numerous farms and backyard growers cultivate lei flowers such as plumeria, orchids, tuberose, pikake (jasmine), and crown flower. While some lei materials overlap with cut flower production, this category focuses on. Conclusion Leis are a beautiful and meaningful part of Hawaiian culture, created from a variety of flowers, each with its unique beauty and symbolism.

From the sweet fragrance of plumeria to the elegance of orchids, the flowers used in leis add depth, meaning, and beauty to any occasion. Hawaiian leis are more than just beautiful floral necklaces; they represent a rich cultural tradition deeply rooted in the islands' history. A lei is a garland or wreath traditionally worn around the neck, symbolizing affection, celebration, honor, or greeting.

The choice of flowers used in a Hawaiian lei plays a crucial role in its meaning, fragrance, and aesthetic appeal. How to Make a Lei in Hawaii How to Make a Lei: the art of Lei Making and how to make different types from easy braids to elaborate lei We share lei making trivia and history, typical lei flowers used and various video instructions on how to make your own lei below. The Art of Making and Giving a Lei Making a lei here in Hawaii or even where you live off island is a gratifying experience.

When. Lei making, or lei hulu as it's sometimes known in the context of feather leis, is more than just stringing flowers together; it's an embodiment of Aloha, representing love, honor, and friendship. A lei is a tangible symbol deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, used to celebrate important life events, welcome visitors, express gratitude, and simply share the spirit of Aloha.

Creating a lei is. Over thirty types of flowers are listed as being commonly used to make lei. Below we've highlighted five (5) of the more common and popular that you are likely to see.

1. 'Okika or the Dendrobium Orchid This orchid flower is the most common flowers used in lei production. Generally found in lavender it can also be yellow, pink, white or green.

The most common flowers used in leis are plumeria, gardenia, and roses. But almost any type of flower can be used, including orchids, daisies, and carnations. Kukui nut leis are another popular type of lei in Hawaii.

The kukui nut, also known as the "candlenut," is the state nut of Hawaii.