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flowers & plants

It's Paradise for the eyes here!

Hard to describe with a few words Costa Rican Nature, its beauty and richness in flowers and foliage. Literally meaning ‘rich coast’ in Spanish, Costa Rica has a wealth of natural diversity and wildlife, making it one of the most bio-diverse places on earth.

5 to 6% of all known plant and animal species live in Costa Rica which only covers 0.3% of the world’s area. Costa Rica protects this beauty and diversity in 20 national parks, 8 wildlife refuges, 1 national archaeological monument, 26 protected forest areas, 9 forest reserves, 7 wildlife sanctuaries, and a national forest. These protected areas cover 21% of the entire country, more than any other country on the planet!

Here a list of flowers and foliage quite common in Costa Rica:

• Alpinia Purpurata [Ginger]
• Ananas Big Red, Crown, Gold, Green, Purple
• Anthurium Blush, Obake, Red
• Costus Spicatis [French Kiss]
• Heliconia Psitacorum [Psitacorum]
• Heliconia Sp. [Heliconia]
• Musa [Banana Flower]
• Nicolaia Elatior [Porcelain Rose]
• Ornithogalum Thyrsoides [Orni - Chincirinci]
• Strelitzia Reginae [Bird of Paradise]
• Zantedeschia Aetiopica [Calla]
• Zingiber Spectabilis [Maraca]

... and foliage & palms

• Accordeon
• Aglaomorpha Coronans
• Agloenema
• Alocasia
• Alpinia Purpurata [Ginger Leaf]
• Alpinia Zerumbet
• Areca Triandra
• Asparagus Retrofactus
• Asparagus Virgatus
• Bismarekia
• Calathea
• Caryota Mitis [Fishtail Palm]
• Chamaedorea Sp.
• Chrisalidocarpus Lutescens [Areca Palm]
• Cordyline Sp. Leaves
• Cordyline Sp. Tips [Black Ti, Red Sister, Xerox, Variegado, Manchado]
• Croton [ ]
• Curculigo Sp. [Accordeon]
• Cyca Circinalys
• Cyca Revoluta [Sago Palm]
• Davallia Feejiensis [Rabbits Foot]
• Dracaena Marginata Tip [Green, Bicolor, Colorama]
• Dracaena Massangeana Leaves
• Dracaena Reflexa [Song of India, Song of Jamaica]
• Dracaena Ricky
• Dracaena Sanderiana Tip [Sanderiana]
• Dracaena Santa Rosa
• Lemon Line
• Licuala
• Liriope Muscari [Pincel]
• Monstera
• Pandanus Green & Variegatum [Screwpine]
• Phoenix Roebelenii
• Pleomelle [Taloides]
• Raphis Excelsa [Finger Palm]
• Rumhora Adiantifontis [Leather Leaf]
• Sansevieria Trifasciata
• Strelitzia Reginae Leaves [Bird of Paradise Leaves]

Orchids In Costa Rica

Costa Rica has an astonishing number of plants, and people are drawn from all over the world to see the beautiful flowers that grow here. Of special interest to many are the numerous varieties of orchids. In fact, Costa Rica has over Thirteen Hundred species of orchids.

The "Guaria Morada" (Cattleya skinneri ), was designated the National Flower of Costa Rica on June 15, 1939. The Guaria Morada grows on trees, roofs, and buildings. It gets nutrients from the air, rain, dust, and residues stored on the trunk of trees. These plants use trees as a means of support, but they are not parasites. The orchid' flowers are large with fantastic shapes, amazing colors, and enchanting fragrances.

The Guaria Morada has always been in Costa Rican homes for centuries. The "campesinos" cherish the flower for its beauty and they associate it with the beauty of Costa Rican ladies. It has given Costa Rican people an aesthetic sense for appreciating nature and pursuing its beauty.

According to Native Costa Rican traditions, the Guaria Morada brings fortune and good luck. It brings union and family understanding and channels the best cosmic experiences. It evokes peace and love as well as hope for the future. Its flower does not have a special fragrance because it is filled with dreams to be accomplished.