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Top 10 Largest Flowers by Bloom Diameter in the World

The ten largest individual flowers on Earth, ranked by their maximum observed bloom diameter, excluding composite flower heads and inflorescences.

Updated August 10, 2026 10 ranked 5 sources

Quick answer: 1. Rafflesia arnoldii, 2. Rafflesia kerrii, 3. Rafflesia hasseltii, 4. Victoria amazonica (flower), 5. Stapelia gigantea, 6. Protea cynaroides (King Protea), 7. Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia), 8. Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony), 9. Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose Mallow), 10. Datura metel (Devil's Trumpet).

The plant kingdom showcases an astonishing diversity of flower sizes, from the minuscule to the truly enormous. This list focuses on the largest individual flowers, measured by the widest extent of their petals or floral parts when fully open. We exclude composite flower heads (like sunflowers, which are many tiny flowers grouped) and massive inflorescences (like the Titan Arum, which is a collection of tiny flowers on a stalk, not a single bloom). The champions of this list are often found in the world's rainforests, adapted for unique pollination strategies.

Bloom diameter (cm)

Bloom diameter (cm)
Rafflesia arnoldii
100 cm
Rafflesia kerrii
80 cm
Rafflesia hasseltii
60 cm
Victoria amazonica (flower)
50 cm
Stapelia gigantea
35 cm
Protea cynaroides (King Protea)
30 cm
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
30 cm
Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony)
25 cm
Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose Mallow)
25 cm
Datura metel (Devil's Trumpet)
20 cm

The ranking

1

Rafflesia arnoldii

Native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo, Rafflesia arnoldii is famously known as the 'corpse flower' due to its pungent odor. It produces the largest single flower in the world, with a diameter that can reach up to 100 cm (1 meter) and weighing up to 11 kg. It is a parasitic plant that lacks leaves, stems, and true roots.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: Rainforests of Sumatra, BorneoLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Foul (rotting flesh)Opening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Parasitic flowerWeight: Up to 11 kg
2

Rafflesia kerrii

Found in the tropical forests of Thailand and Malaysia, Rafflesia kerrii is another species of the genus Rafflesia known for its impressively large blooms. Its flowers can grow up to 80 cm in diameter, making it one of the largest single flowers globally, though slightly smaller than its more famous cousin, R. arnoldii.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: Thailand, MalaysiaLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: FoulOpening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Parasitic flowerWeight:
3

Rafflesia hasseltii

This less common Rafflesia species, found in Sumatra, produces flowers that can reach up to 60 cm in diameter. Like other Rafflesia, it is a parasitic plant that emerges directly from the host vine, displaying a striking red-brown coloration and the characteristic foul odor that aids in pollination.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: SumatraLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: FoulOpening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Parasitic flowerWeight:
4

Victoria amazonica (flower)

While famous for its enormous lily pads, the Victoria amazonica, or giant water lily, also produces a magnificent flower that can reach up to 50 cm in diameter. These fragrant blooms open white on the first night and turn pink on the second night, lasting only two days before submerging.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: Color change: White to pinkColors: Cultural significance: Habitat: Amazon basin (aquatic)Leaf diameter: Up to 3 metersLifespan: 2 daysOdor: Opening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Weight:
5

Stapelia gigantea

Commonly known as the 'carrion flower' or 'starfish flower,' Stapelia gigantea produces large, five-petaled flowers that can measure up to 35 cm in diameter. These striking, star-shaped blooms are typically yellowish with red stripes and emit a scent reminiscent of rotting meat to attract flies for pollination.

Appearance: Star-shaped, yellowish with red stripesBlooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: Southern AfricaLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Foul (carrion)Opening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: SucculentWeight:
6

Protea cynaroides (King Protea)

South Africa's national flower, the King Protea, is celebrated for its stunning bloom, which can reach up to 30 cm in diameter. Although technically a composite flower head (capitulum), its impressive size and distinctive solitary appearance often lead it to be considered among the largest individual flowers, showcasing a dramatic crown of pink petals.

Appearance: Large, prominent pink 'crown'Blooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: South AfricaLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Opening time: Scent: Shape: Status: National flower of South AfricaToxicity: Type: Composite flower headWeight:
7

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)

The iconic Southern Magnolia produces large, fragrant, white flowers that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter. These showy blooms are highly aromatic, emitting a sweet, lemony scent, and are a classic symbol of the American South. The large, waxy petals make it a standout among tree blossoms.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: WhiteColor change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: Southeastern United StatesLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Opening time: Scent: Sweet, lemonyShape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Tree flowerWeight:
8

Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony)

Native to China, the Tree Peony is prized for its luxuriant, often ruffled flowers that can measure up to 25 cm in diameter. These vibrant blooms come in a wide array of colors, from white and pink to red and purple, and are highly regarded in traditional Chinese culture as symbols of prosperity and beauty.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: White, pink, red, purpleCultural significance: Symbol of prosperityHabitat: ChinaLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Opening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Shrub flowerWeight:
9

Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose Mallow)

This native North American hibiscus species produces enormous, showy flowers that can reach up to 25 cm in diameter. The blooms, typically white or pink with a crimson center, are a striking feature in wetlands and garden landscapes throughout the summer months, attracting pollinators with their vibrant display.

Appearance: Blooming season: SummerColor: Color change: Colors: White, pink with crimson eyeCultural significance: Habitat: North America (wetlands)Leaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Opening time: Scent: Shape: Status: Toxicity: Type: Perennial flowerWeight:
10

Datura metel (Devil's Trumpet)

Known for its dramatic, trumpet-shaped flowers that can grow up to 20 cm long and wide, Datura metel is a captivating ornamental plant. Its blooms are often white or purple, opening in the evening and emitting a strong fragrance. Despite its beauty, all parts of the plant are highly toxic.

Appearance: Blooming season: Color: Color change: Colors: Cultural significance: Habitat: Tropical/subtropical regionsLeaf diameter: Lifespan: Odor: Opening time: EveningScent: Shape: Trumpet-shapedStatus: Toxicity: Highly toxicType: Weight:

Full comparison

# Name AppearanceBlooming seasonColorColor changeColorsCultural significanceHabitatLeaf diameterLifespanOdorOpening timeScentShapeStatusToxicityTypeWeight
1 Rafflesia arnoldii Rainforests of Sumatra, BorneoFoul (rotting flesh)Parasitic flowerUp to 11 kg
2 Rafflesia kerrii Thailand, MalaysiaFoulParasitic flower
3 Rafflesia hasseltii SumatraFoulParasitic flower
4 Victoria amazonica (flower) White to pinkAmazon basin (aquatic)Up to 3 meters2 days
5 Stapelia gigantea Star-shaped, yellowish with red stripesSouthern AfricaFoul (carrion)Succulent
6 Protea cynaroides (King Protea) Large, prominent pink 'crown'South AfricaNational flower of South AfricaComposite flower head
7 Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) WhiteSoutheastern United StatesSweet, lemonyTree flower
8 Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony) White, pink, red, purpleSymbol of prosperityChinaShrub flower
9 Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose Mallow) SummerWhite, pink with crimson eyeNorth America (wetlands)Perennial flower
10 Datura metel (Devil's Trumpet) Tropical/subtropical regionsEveningTrumpet-shapedHighly toxic

How we ranked this

Flowers are ranked by their maximum recorded diameter in centimeters, representing the widest measurement across the open petals of a single, non-composite flower. Measurements are based on widely accepted botanical records and Guinness World Records. Plants that produce large inflorescences (a cluster of many small flowers) or composite flower heads are explicitly excluded, as are the leaves or pads of aquatic plants, with only the individual floral structure measured.

FAQ

Why isn't the Titan Arum on this list?

The Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is famous for its massive, several-meter-tall inflorescence. However, an inflorescence is a cluster of many small individual flowers arranged on a stalk, not a single large flower. This list ranks individual, single flowers by their bloom diameter.

Are sunflowers considered single flowers?

No. While a sunflower (Helianthus annuus) produces a large 'flower head' that can be quite wide, this head is botanically a composite structure made up of hundreds or thousands of tiny individual flowers (florets) grouped together. Our methodology focuses on the diameter of a single, distinct flower.

Sources