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The flowers of Northeast Brazil range from tropical flowers grown on a large scale, such as heliconias, alpinias and torch gingers, to the native flowers of the caatinga (the region’s dry forest and scrubland), such as the mandacaru cactus flower and the ipê. In addition, the region is one of Brazil’s largest producers of tropical flowers, which decorate parties and weddings all over the country. In this guide, you will find the names, features and care needs of each one.
- Cultivated tropical flowers: alpinia, torch ginger, heliconia, anthurium, orchids, beehive ginger and ornamental pineapple.
- Native flowers of the caatinga: mandacaru flower, ipê, craibeira, xique-xique and catingueira.
- Main producers: Pernambuco, Alagoas and Ceará.
- Peak production: from October to December, that is, the holiday season.
- Origin: many cultivated tropical flowers come from Asia; heliconias and anthuriums, however, are from the Americas.
Tropical flower production in the Nordeste
The Nordeste, especially Pernambuco, is among the largest producers of tropical flowers in Brazil. That is why many of the flowers that decorate year-end celebrations in the Southeast come from the region.
For growers, the end of the year is the best season, since orders rise sharply. After all, most varieties reach peak production from October to December, right at the time of graduations, weddings, and Christmas and New Year parties. On the farms, then, it is a hectic season of washing, packing and shipping the flowers.
Moreover, commercial cultivation helps to preserve some species that had been disappearing due to deforestation.
Video about growing tropical flowers in the Nordeste
Flores Tropicais Nordeste04:49
Cultivo de Rosas12:24
Produção de Flores03:23
Cultivar Orquídeas04:47
Native flowers of the Nordeste
Not every flower of the Nordeste is a cultivated tropical one. In the caatinga, for example, several native plants bloom right after the first rains:
- Mandacaru flower (Cereus jamacaru): the large white flower of the cactus that symbolizes the sertão, and it opens at night.
- Ipês (Handroanthus spp.): trees that become covered in purple, pink or yellow flowers during the dry season.
- Craibeira (Tabebuia aurea): a tree with yellow flowers, which is common along the rivers of the sertão.
- Xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei): a cactus that also has white flowers.
- Catingueira (Cenostigma pyramidale): a typical caatinga tree, likewise with yellow flowers.
In the Chapada Diamantina, incidentally, there is also the famous sempre-viva (everlasting) flower.
Main tropical flowers grown in the Nordeste
In short, the main tropical flowers grown in the region are alpinias, orchids, torch gingers, anthuriums, heliconias, beehive gingers and ornamental pineapples.
1. Alpinia (Alpinia purpurata)
Alpinia, also called red ginger, is an easy-to-grow tropical plant, famous for its red or pink inflorescences. Originally from Southeast Asia and Oceania, it is also widely used in gardens and arrangements.
It is a perennial plant that generally reaches 1.2 to 2 meters in height. It blooms mainly in summer and, as a result, attracts bees and hummingbirds.
- Light: partial shade or full sun; however, strong sun can scorch the leaves.
- Soil: rich in organic matter, well drained and with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
- Watering: keep the soil always moist, but never waterlogged.
- Fertilizing: a balanced fertilizer every two months, in spring and summer.
- Family: Zingiberaceae.
2. Orchids
Orchids form one of the largest plant families in the world, with more than 25,000 species and countless hybrids. Therefore, there are options for almost every taste.
Most cultivated orchids are epiphytes; in other words, they grow supported by other plants. In general, the flowers last several weeks, and many species bloom once or more a year.
- Light: indirect; for example, an east- or west-facing window is ideal.
- Substrate: a mix made for orchids, with pine bark, charcoal and moss.
- Watering: when the substrate is almost dry, usually every one or two weeks.
- Humidity: high; for this reason, a tray with pebbles and water under the pot helps.
- Fertilizing: orchid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing phase.
See also how to grow and care for orchids.
3. Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior)
Torch ginger, known in Brazil as bastão-do-imperador and also called flor-de-cera or flor-da-redenção, is famous for its large pink and red inflorescences. Native to Southeast Asia, it is used in arrangements and, in those countries, even in cooking.
It is a large plant that can grow taller than 3 meters. In addition, the flowers last several weeks and attract bees and butterflies.
- Light: sun or partial shade, with at least 6 hours of light per day.
- Soil: rich in organic matter and well drained.
- Watering: keep the soil always moist, especially in the hot months, but never waterlogged.
- Fertilizing: a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks, in spring and summer.
- Family: Zingiberaceae.
4. Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)
The anthurium belongs to the arum family (Araceae) and is native to South America. The colorful part that looks like the flower is, in fact, a bract called a spathe. The true flowers, on the other hand, are the tiny dots that grow on the central spike, the spadix.
Its heart-shaped leaves are also highly ornamental. Furthermore, the anthurium is available all year round, in varieties such as Alabama, Black Queen, Red Victory, Sierra, Tangerine and White Champion.
As a tropical plant, it needs temperatures above 15 ºC and partial light, without direct sun. Thus, keep the soil always moist and airy, watering 2 to 3 times a week. In general, it reaches about 90 cm in height.
5. Heliconias
Heliconias are among the most valued tropical flowers on the market because of their durability and bold colors. They belong to the family Heliconiaceae, and the genus was named by Linnaeus in 1771 after Mount Helicon in Greece.
There are 150 to 250 species, mainly in tropical America, from southern Mexico to southern Brazil. In Brazil, for example, there are about 40 native species, known as bananeira-de-jardim (garden banana) or bico-de-guará (scarlet ibis beak). Thus, heliconias are, along with bromeliads, truly Brazilian tropical flowers.
They range from 50 cm to several meters in height, with upright or hanging inflorescences that attract hummingbirds. For cut flowers, species with small, light inflorescences are generally preferred.
How to grow heliconias
Heliconias are propagated by seed or, more commonly, by dividing the rhizomes. They also need heat, humidity, fertilizer and controlled irrigation, without waterlogging the soil. Finally, the clumps should be divided every two years, and it is important to control nematodes and fungi.
6. Beehive ginger (Zingiber spectabile)
The sorvetão (beehive ginger), also called magnificent ginger, has an inflorescence that resembles an ice cream cone. Native to Malaysia, it belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and generally reaches 1.2 to 1.8 meters in height. However, it is purely ornamental and should not be eaten.
The bracts start out yellow and turn red over time, while the small white or yellowish flowers open between them. For this reason, it is widely used in landscaping, along walls or in flower beds.
It prefers partial shade and fertile, moist soil, with watering about twice a week. In addition, it is sensitive to cold and may go dormant in winter.
7. Ornamental pineapple (Ananas bracteatus)
The ornamental pineapple, or red pineapple, is a bromeliad native to South America, including Brazil. The plant reaches 0.6 to 0.9 meters in height and, in addition, bears red fruits of about 5 cm that are purely decorative.
The leaves are long, green and full of spines. Because of this, the plant can even be used as a living fence, and it is a good idea to wear thick gloves when handling it.
It blooms at any time of year, in full sun or partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil. Moreover, it propagates easily by dividing the clump and from the shoots on the crown of the fruit. Finally, it needs temperatures above 15 ºC.
Frequently asked questions about the flowers of Northeast Brazil
What are the flowers of Northeast Brazil?
Among the cultivated ones, there are heliconia, alpinia, torch ginger, anthurium and orchids; among the native ones, there are the mandacaru flower, ipê, craibeira and catingueira.
In addition, there are many bromeliads, such as the ornamental pineapple.
What is the symbolic flower of the Nordeste?
There is no official flower, but the mandacaru flower is the one most often recalled as the symbol of the sertão.
It opens at night and is short-lived, usually lasting only one day.
Which tropical flowers are Brazilian?
Heliconias, bromeliads such as the ornamental pineapple, and many orchids are native to Brazil.
Alpinia and torch ginger, on the other hand, came from Asia, for example.
Which state produces the most tropical flowers in the Nordeste?
Pernambuco is among the largest producers, along with Alagoas and Ceará.
That is why many of the flowers at celebrations in the Southeast come from the region.
When is tropical flower season?
In general, peak production runs from October to December.
As a result, it coincides with the season of weddings, graduations and year-end celebrations.
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