Pikake
Jasminum sambac
Family: Oleaceae · Also called Arabian Jasmine, Sampaguita, Melati, Jasminum undulatum, Jasminum blancoi, Jasminum quinqueflorum var. pubescens
Heady & Exotic · Summer bloomer
Pikake (Arabian jasmine) is the jasmine of jasmine tea, of Indian temple garlands, of Hawaiian leis, and of Southeast Asian weddings. Its waxy, round flowers are smaller and more intensely fragrant than common jasmine, with a creamy, almost buttery quality. The plant blooms prolifically in warm climates, producing new flowers daily through the warm months.
divine hope, eternal love, purity
In the Victorian language of flowers, pikake means “Divine hope and the promise of love”. Pikake is the Hawaiian name for Jasminum sambac, reportedly named by Princess Kaiulani after the peacocks (pikake in Hawaiian) in her garden where the jasmine grew. It's the national flower of the Philippines (sampaguita) and Indonesia (melati). In India, it's the most common flower for hair garlands and temple offerings. The flowers are used to scent jasmine tea.
Did You Know?
The jasmine tea you drink is scented with Jasminum sambac flowers. Fresh blooms are layered with tea leaves and removed after their scent transfers, a process repeated multiple times for premium grades. A single plant can produce enough flowers for 30-40 lei garlands per season in Hawaii.
Tropical and subtropical gardens from India to Southeast Asia
Pikake is native to South Asia. It naturally grows in tropical and subtropical gardens from india to southeast asia.
Scent Profile
“An intensely sweet, green-indolic fragrance with tea-like facets, richer and creamier than common jasmine, with a distinctive tropical warmth.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameJasminum sambac
- FamilyOleaceae
- Native ToSouth Asia
- Bloom SeasonSummer
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Pikake is the Hawaiian name for Jasminum sambac, reportedly named by Princess Kaiulani after the peacocks (pikake in Hawaiian) in her garden where the jasmine grew. It's the national flower of the Philippines (sampaguita) and Indonesia (melati). In India, it's the most common flower for hair garlands and temple offerings. The flowers are used to scent jasmine tea.