The World’s Top 5 Most Expensive Flowers

Flowers have fascinated humans for centuries, symbolizing love, beauty, and even wealth. While many flowers are readily available, some rare and exotic blooms fetch jaw-dropping prices due to their uniqueness, difficulty in cultivation, and limited availability. Let’s explore five of the world’s top 5 most expensive flowers, what makes them special, and why they command such high value.

1. Kadupul Flower – The Priceless Beauty

The Kadupul Flower is often considered the most precious flower in the world—not because of its monetary value, but because it is truly priceless. This delicate, night-blooming flower from Sri Lanka withers before dawn, making it impossible to sell or preserve.

Why Is It So Special?

Scientific Name: Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Founded In: Sri Lanka
Blooming Pattern: Appears only at night and lasts a few hours
Price: Priceless (cannot be sold or picked without damage)

Its rarity and ephemeral beauty have given it an almost mythical status in the floral world.

2. Juliet Rose – The $15 Million Masterpiece

A true luxury in the floral industry, the Juliet Rose was bred by famous rose breeder David Austin. After 15 years of careful cultivation and a staggering investment of £3 million, this exquisite apricot-hued rose was unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2006, instantly becoming a symbol of elegance.

Why Is It So Special?

Scientific Name: Rosa ‘Juliet’
Founded In: United Kingdom
Distinctive Feature: Large, peach-colored rosette blooms
Price: $15.8 million (Around 130 Crore INR)

Known as the “£3 million rose,” this flower remains a favorite among collectors and luxury wedding planners.

3. Shenzhen Nongke Orchid – The Scientific Marvel

Unlike natural orchids, the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid was artificially cultivated by Chinese scientists over eight years. This botanical masterpiece only blooms once every 4-5 years and made headlines when it was auctioned for a record-breaking price in 2005.

Why Is It So Special?

Origin: Created at Shenzhen Nongke University, China
Blooming Cycle: Every 4-5 years
Unique Trait: Entirely man-made through scientific research
Price: $290,000 AUD (Around 2.5 Crore INR)

Its rarity, elegance, and the scientific expertise required to cultivate it contribute to its immense value.

4. Gold of Kinabalu Orchid – The Jewel of Malaysia

Native to Kinabalu National Park in Malaysia, this stunning orchid is one of the rarest flowers on the planet. Its slow growth rate—it takes up to 15 years to bloom—makes it incredibly scarce, and illegal harvesting has further contributed to its exclusivity.

Why Is It So Special?

Scientific Name: Paphiopedilum rothschildianum
Found In: Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia
Blooming Time: Up to 15 years to mature
Price: $5,500 (Around 4.8 Lakh INR per flower)

Its striking patterns and rarity make it a highly coveted treasure among flower enthusiasts.

5. Saffron Crocus – The Flower That Produces Liquid Gold

Unlike other flowers on this list, the Saffron Crocus is famous not for its petals, but for the valuable spice it produces—saffron. This spice is one of the most expensive in the world, as it takes approximately 80,000 flowers to yield just 500g of saffron.

Why Is It So Special?

Scientific Name: Crocus sativus
Cultivated For: Over 3,500 years
Appearance: Deep purple petals with bright yellow stigmas
Price of Saffron: $1,300 – $1,600 per pound (1.5 – 1.75 Lakh INR per 500g)

The painstaking harvesting process and high demand for saffron make this flower incredibly valuable.

Conclusion

These rare and expensive flowers are more than just botanical wonders—they are symbols of rarity, artistry, and luxury. Whether naturally occurring, carefully bred, or scientifically engineered, each of these blooms has a fascinating story to tell.

From the fleeting beauty of the Kadupul Flower to the million-dollar Juliet Rose and the labor-intensive Saffron Crocus, these flowers continue to captivate collectors, scientists, and admirers worldwide.