Decorative plants

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World

 
Editorial staff
By Editorial staff. Updated: June 9, 2024
The Most Expensive Flowers in the World

Some flowers are more expensive than others for various reasons. These include rarity, availability and even seasonal factors. Location is also a very important factor since some flowers will be cheaper in their native countries, but be more expensive in areas where they need to be grown in conditioned environments. While there are many aesthetically pleasing cheap flowers, it is no coincidence that some of the most expensive flowers in the world are also some of the most beautiful. thedailyECO explains what these costly plants are, as well as some information on how to care for them.

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Contents
  1. Why are some flowers more expensive than others?
  2. Gold of Kinabalu orchid
  3. Juliet rose
  4. Saffron crocus
  5. Lisianthus
  6. Fire lily
  7. Lily of the valley
  8. Gardenia
  9. Hydrangea
  10. Shenzhen Nongke orchid
  11. Queen of the night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
See more >>

Why are some flowers more expensive than others?

There are several factors that can contribute to why some flowers are more expensive than others. Here are a few reasons:

  • Rarity: flowers that are rare or difficult to cultivate tend to be more expensive. This could be due to limited availability, specific growing conditions or longer cultivation periods. Examples of rare flowers include certain orchids or tropical blooms that are not easily found.

  • Seasonality: some flowers are only available during certain seasons, something which can affect their price. When a particular flower is out of season, it may need to be imported from other regions, leading to higher transportation costs and increased prices.

  • Production costs: the cost of growing and harvesting flowers can vary depending on factors such as labor, land, and resources required. Some flowers may require more intensive care, specialized equipment or specific growing conditions, making them more expensive to produce.

  • Fragility: certain delicate flowers, such as roses or lilies, require careful handling and transportation to maintain their quality. The cost of ensuring proper packaging, storage, and transportation can increase the overall price of these flowers.

  • Exclusivity: flowers that are associated with luxury or prestige, such as certain varieties of roses or tulips, often come with higher price tags. These flowers may be sought after for special occasions or events. Their higher price contributes to their perceived value.

  • Importation and transportation: flowers that need to be imported from distant locations may incur higher costs due to transportation fees, customs duties and other logistical expenses. This can make certain imported flowers more expensive compared to locally grown ones.

  • Demand and popularity: the laws of supply and demand also affect flower prices. If a particular flower is in high demand or trendy, its price may increase. Similarly, flowers associated with specific holidays, like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, often see a surge in demand and subsequent price increase.

It's worth noting that flower prices can also vary depending on the location and the specific market dynamics. Different regions and countries may have different factors influencing flower prices. Although they may differ according to your region, the following are some of the most expensive flowers in the world.

1. Gold of Kinabalu orchid

We begin this list of the most expensive flowers with what is undoubtedly one of the rarest and most beautiful flowers on the planet. Native to Malaysia, the gold of Kinabalu orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum) derives its name from Mount Kinabalu which is the highest peak in Borneo and Malaysia.

Also known as the Rothschild's slipper orchid, it is so expensive thanks to its exclusivity and scarcity. It only blooms between April and May, but it will take several years of growth before this can happen. This means years of cultivation and care will be required for it to flower. Since it is a protected flower and very rarely sold to the public, it can reach prices of over $5,000 U.S.

Learn more about this type of flowering plant with our article on the rarest orchids in the world.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 1. Gold of Kinabalu orchid

2. Juliet rose

This rose is the brainchild of grower David Austin. After 15 years, he was able to create this apricot-colored hybrid in 2006 when it was first exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. This variety of rose has pale tones and abundant oval petals. Each flower has almost one hundred petals each and gives off a very fresh and natural aroma. These factors make it very striking and elegant, as well as giving it the title of perhaps the most expensive flower in the world.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 2. Juliet rose

3. Saffron crocus

This is one of the most valued and expensive flowers, not only because of its beautiful appearance. The saffron crocus (Crocus sativa) has stigmas which are used as the culinary spine known as saffron. The stamens are dried into very fine filaments which are added to dishes sch as paella to create both a distinctive flavor and a deep yellow coloration.

Saffron is the most expensive spice by weight, often costing over $5,000 per kilogram for dried saffron. It is for this reason the saffron crocus is one of the most expensive flowers in the world. Part of the reason for this is that more than seventy thousand individual crocus flowers are necessary to produce only 200g of saffron spice. However, it is important to remember that this is also an ornamental flowering plant highly valued for its beauty.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 3. Saffron crocus

4. Lisianthus

The elegance of the lisianthus flower (Eustoma) is seen in its oval petals which have an intense violet color. While it is their beauty which makes them highly sought after, it is their delicate growing conditions and intensive maintenance requirements which cause them to be so expensive. Its strong contrast with its intense green stems and leaves, along with its rich aroma will delight anyone who dares to grow them. They bloom in summer.

If you want to find some options for your home or garden which are cheaper, you might want to check out our list of purple-flowering plants.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 4. Lisianthus

5. Fire lily

Another of the most expensive flowers in the world are the plants which belong to the genus Gloriosa. These plants have various common names, including fire lily, flame lily and glory lily. This fast-growing climbing plant is native to South Africa and Asia. The peculiar shape of its colorful flowers and their burnt orange color is what give them their common name. Its flowering season begins in spring and lasts until the end of summer.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 5. Fire lily

6. Lily of the valley

This small and delicate white bell-shaped flower blooms only once a year during the spring. Specifically, it blooms in the month of May. It cannot be kept fresh for more than two weeks, hence its price being relatively high. As a cut flower, it can last perfectly well for a week while still preserving its beauty. Its beauty, preciousness and even its expense is one of the reasons why the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is one of the most popular bridal flowers.

Learn more about how certain flowers develop with our guide to annual flowering plants.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 6. Lily of the valley

7. Gardenia

Although gardenias can be grown throughout the year, they require very specific care so that their white and delicate flowers appear during the flowering season. In addition to their beautiful appearance, these flowers give off a very pleasing aroma. For this reason, they are particularly popular as houseplants, but they can also be great for the garden. We may have to offer them some extra protection for the latter.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 7. Gardenia

8. Hydrangea

Although flowers like the gardenia are common to even the most amateur horticulturist, some of their varieties are quite expensive. The same applies to the hydrangea.

One of these varieties are rare because of their coloration. The colors of hydrangeas are partly determined by the pH of the soil. Since some colors prefer a more alkaline soil and others a more acidic soil. This makes a blue and pink hydrangea very rare since each color needs a different pH. Purchasing a blue and pink gradient hydrangea can be very expensive since they are so difficult to cultivate.

Learn more with our guide to the different types of hydrangeas.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 8. Hydrangea

9. Shenzhen Nongke orchid

The first specimen of this variety of orchid created by a well-known group of researchers sold for a final price that exceeded two hundred thousand dollars. Created in 2005, the Shenzhen Nongke orchid needs four years to bloom and very specific care for its spectacular flowers to appear. With defined petals and exotic colors, the flower gives off a pleasant aroma that only makes it an even rarer and more unique specimen.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 9. Shenzhen Nongke orchid

10. Queen of the night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)

We end the list with one of the most ephemeral beauty flowers on the planet. Its common name is queen of the night, although it is also known as the Dutchman's pipe cactus. The reason it is known as the queen of the night is that it only blooms during a very concentrated period of time. It will look most beautiful at around midnight, but within a few hours it will start to deteriorate and will be dead by dawn.

The queen of the night is a flowering plant native to Sri Lanka. It is very rarely sold due to its special conditions needed for growth. It also blooms irregularly at different times of the year, so ensuring we are around for its blooming can be very difficult. Learn more about this type of plant with our article on the differences between succlents and cacti.

The Most Expensive Flowers in the World - 10. Queen of the night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)

If you want to read similar articles to The Most Expensive Flowers in the World, we recommend you visit our Decorative plants category.

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The Most Expensive Flowers in the World