Frangipani and jasmine

Two of Thailand's most beloved scented flowers: frangipani (lantom/plumeria) with its temple associations, and jasmine (mali), the fragrant white flower of garlands, offerings and Mother's Day.

Fragrance and meaning

Some of Thailand's most cherished flowers are loved as much for their scent as their beauty — and none more than frangipani and jasmine, both woven deep into Thai culture, faith and celebration.

Frangipani (Lantom / Leelawadee)

• The flower: plumeria — waxy, five-petaled blooms in white, yellow, pink and red, with a sweet, heady fragrance, borne on sculptural trees;
• The name shift: traditionally called lantom, a word that sounded like ‘sorrow’ and gave the tree a melancholy, temple-and-cemetery association; it was popularly renamed Leelawadee (ลีลาวดี) to shed that connotation, and is now widely planted as an ornamental in gardens, resorts and spas;
• Where you'll meet it: temple grounds, spa gardens (its scent is iconic of the Thai spa), and as a graceful ornamental everywhere — and tucked behind an ear or floated in a bowl of water.

Jasmine (Mali)

• The flower: small, intensely fragrant white blooms — the classic Thai jasmine (mali, มะลิ);
• Deep symbolism: pure white jasmine symbolizes maternal love and is the flower of Thai Mother's Day (celebrated on the Queen Mother's birthday) — given to mothers with deep affection and respect;
• In garlands & offerings: jasmine is the heart of the classic Thai flower garland (phuang malai), strung fresh, and offered at shrines and hung in cars and homes for its scent and blessing;
• Everyday grace: the smell of fresh jasmine garlands is one of the quintessential scents of Thailand.

Other scented favorites

• Dok rak, gardenia, ylang-ylang and champaka (champee) add to Thailand's palette of fragrant flowers, many used in garlands, perfumery and offerings;
• Scent and merit: fragrant flowers are especially valued for offerings — part of the meaning of flowers in Thai spiritual life.