Philippine Plant Directory

Browse our growing collection of edible and ornamental plants you can grow in the Philippines — from backyard vegetables to indoor ornamentals.

Edible Plant Guides

Edible

Malunggay

Moringa oleifera

The miracle tree of the Philippines — nutrient-dense leaves, fast-growing, and thrives in any backyard.

Edible

Kangkong

Ipomoea aquatica

A Filipino kitchen essential that grows effortlessly in water or soil — perfect for adobo and sinigang.

Edible

Calamansi

Citrofortunella microcarpa

The quintessential Filipino citrus for sawsawan, juice, and cooking — grows well in pots and gardens.

Edible

Pechay

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

The fastest leafy green in the Filipino garden — seed to harvest in under 30 days, ideal for containers.

Edible

Sili

Capsicum annuum & C. frutescens

The heat of Filipino cooking — siling labuyo and siling haba for vinegar dips and Bicol Express.

Edible

Talong

Solanum melongena

The beloved Filipino eggplant — grilled for tortang talong, stewed in pinakbet, roasted for ensalada.

Edible

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

The king of herbs — aromatic, easy to grow in pots, and essential for pesto, curries, and herbal remedies.

Edible

Ampalaya

Momordica charantia

The bitter gourd of Filipino cuisine and DOH-endorsed herbal medicine — a vigorous vine for trellises and green curtains.

Edible

Kamote

Ipomoea batatas

The versatile sweet potato — tubers for camote cue and tops (talbos) for sinigang. Thrives in Philippine soil.

Edible

Sitaw

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

The long bean of Filipino gardens — nitrogen-fixing, prolific, and essential for pinakbet and adobo.

Edible

Tanglad

Cymbopogon citratus

The aromatic citrus grass — brewed into tea, stuffed in grilled fish, and a natural mosquito repellent.

Edible

Oregano

Coleus amboinicus

The DOH-approved herbal medicine — thick aromatic leaves for cough relief and everyday wellness.

Edible

Mint & Yerba Buena

Clinopodium douglasii & Mentha spp.

DOH-approved yerba buena for pain relief plus common mint for drinks, desserts, and fresh flavor.

Edible

Alugbati

Basella alba

The tropical spinach — a climbing vine with thick, nutritious leaves that thrives in Philippine heat.

Edible

Pandan

Pandanus amaryllifolius

The vanilla of Southeast Asia — fragrant leaves for buko pandan, kakanin, and Filipino desserts.

Edible

Papaya

Carica papaya

The fastest fruit tree — seed to harvest in under a year, for fresh eating and cooking.

Edible

Saging

Musa spp.

Lakatan for fresh eating, saba for turon and banana cue — the cornerstone of Filipino agriculture.

Edible

Bayabas

Psidium guajava

DOH-approved medicinal leaves and fruit with 4× more vitamin C than oranges.

Edible

Atis

Annona squamosa

The sugar apple — custard-sweet flesh and a semi-deciduous tree suited to Philippine dry seasons.

Edible

Guyabano

Annona muricata

The soursop — tangy-sweet fruit for juices and ice cream, fast-growing in Philippine lowlands.

Edible

Kamias

Averrhoa bilimbi

The souring fruit — trunk-borne, intensely tart, irreplaceable in sinigang sa kamias.

Edible

Sampalok

Tamarindus indica

The grand souring tree — sinigang's signature tartness and beloved candy pasalubong.

Edible

Dalandan

Citrus × aurantium

The Philippine orange — green-skinned, mildly tart-sweet, freshly squeezed by street vendors.

Edible

Suha (Pomelo)

Citrus maxima

The largest citrus fruit — Davao's sweet pomelo is a Philippine export pride.

Edible

Singkamas

Pachyrhizus erosus

The crunchy street snack — peeled, sliced, and dipped in bagoong.

Edible

Upo

Lagenaria siceraria

The mild gourd for ginisang upo and misua soup — fast-growing on trellises.

Edible

Patola

Luffa acutangula

The ridged gourd — tender vegetable when young, natural luffa sponge when mature.

Edible

Kalabasa

Cucurbita maxima

The complete food plant — fruit, leaves, flowers, and seeds all edible.

Edible

Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

The heat-loving pod vegetable — essential for pinakbet and ginisang okra.

Edible

Munggo

Vigna radiata

The protein-rich legume of Filipino Friday dinners and infant nutrition.

Edible

Luya

Zingiber officinale

The aromatic rhizome — DOH-endorsed herbal medicine for salabat tea and tinola.

Edible

Bawang

Allium sativum

The mighty bulb of sinangag, adobo, and every Filipino sawsawan.

Edible

Sibuyas

Allium cepa

The essential ginisa base — from pungent sibuyas Tagalog to spring onion garnish.

Edible

Kintsay

Apium graveolens

The shade-loving herb that crowns every bowl of pancit and arroz caldo.

Edible

Wansoy

Coriandrum sativum

The love-it-or-hate-it herb — genetics decide the flavor for you.

Edible

Kamatis

Solanum lycopersicum

The galleon-trade fruit behind every sawsawan and sinigang sa kamatis.

Edible

Mustasa

Brassica juncea

Fast-growing peppery greens — baby leaves ready in just 25 days.

Edible

Labanos

Raphanus sativus

The fastest root vegetable — crisp and peppery in just 25 days.

Edible

Sayote

Sechium edule

The prolific highland vine — hundreds of fruits from a single plant.

Edible

Gabi

Colocasia esculenta

Ancient corm crop behind laing and sinigang sa gabi — thrives in wet soil.

Edible

Ube

Dioscorea alata

The iconic purple yam — from ube halaya to global food trend.

Edible

Mango

Mangifera indica

The Philippine national fruit — carabao mango and Cebu dried mango.

Edible

Coconut

Cocos nucifera

The tree of life — VCO, coco sugar, and nata de coco.

Edible

Pineapple

Ananas comosus

Sweet Queen pineapple from Bukidnon and piña fiber cloth.

Edible

Jackfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus

World's largest tree fruit for ginataang langka.

Edible

Rambutan

Nephelium lappaceum

Hairy tropical fruit with sweet translucent flesh.

Edible

Durian

Durio zibethinus

King of Fruits — Davao's pride.

Edible

Lanzones

Lansium parasiticum

Sweet Camiguin clusters.

Edible

Santol

Sandoricum koetjape

Sweet-sour cottony fruit for sinigang.

Edible

Sapodilla

Manilkara zapota

Brown sugar-sweet chicle source.

Edible

Star Apple

Chrysophyllum cainito

Creamy purple star-patterned fruit.

Edible

Java Plum

Syzygium cumini

Purple tongue-staining childhood fruit.

Edible

Wax Apple

Syzygium samarangense

Crunchy bell-shaped refreshing snack.

Edible

Starfruit

Averrhoa carambola

Star-shaped sweet-tart fruit.

Edible

Dragon Fruit

Hylocereus undatus

Exotic cactus fruit booming in PH.

Edible

Avocado

Persea americana

Filipino-style sweet with milk and sugar.

Edible

Passion Fruit

Passiflora edulis

Tangy aromatic pulp for smoothie bowls.

Edible

Cashew

Anacardium occidentale

Palawan's nut-outside-fruit tree.

Edible

Key Lime

Citrus × aurantiifolia

Intensely sour lime for kinilaw.

Edible

Winged Bean

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus

Every part edible.

Edible

Jute Leaves

Corchorus olitorius

Ilocano superfood greens.

Edible

Amaranth

Amaranthus spp.

Pre-colonial Filipino grain and green.

Edible

Pigeon Pea

Cajanus cajan

Ilonggo KBL ingredient.

Edible

Hyacinth Bean

Lablab purpureus

Traditional climbing bean.

Edible

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Ensaladang pipino essential.

Edible

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Highland crop for ginisa and lumpia.

Edible

Corn

Zea mays

Binatog and mais con yelo staple.

Edible

Waterleaf

Talinum triangulare

Zero-maintenance shade vegetable.

Edible

Cassava

Manihot esculenta

Root crop for pichi-pichi and cassava cake.

Edible

Oyster Mushroom

Pleurotus ostreatus

Indoor protein growing in bags.

Edible

Carrots

Daucus carota

Benguet root vegetable for chopsuey.

Edible

String Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

Baguio beans for ginisa.

Edible

Bell Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Sweet pepper for chopsuey.

Edible

Sambong

Blumea balsamifera

DOH herbal for kidney stones.

Edible

Lagundi

Vitex negundo

DOH herbal for cough and asthma.

Edible

Tsaang Gubat

Carmona retusa

DOH herbal and bonsai material.

Edible

Niyog-Niyogan

Combretum indicum

DOH dewormer with color-changing flowers.

Edible

Akapulko

Senna alata

DOH antifungal for skin infections.

Edible

Pansit-Pansitan

Peperomia pellucida

DOH herb for arthritis.

Edible

Black Pepper

Piper nigrum

Batangas pepper heritage.

Edible

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Universal herb garnish.

Edible

Bay Leaf

Laurus nobilis

Essential adobo herb.

Edible

Spring Onion

Allium fistulosum

Garnish that regrows from scraps.

Edible

Rice

Oryza sativa

THE Filipino staple.

Edible

Coffee

Coffea spp.

Barako to specialty renaissance.

Edible

Cacao

Theobroma cacao

Davao tablea and bean-to-bar.

Edible

Peanut

Arachis hypogaea

Adobong mani and kare-kare base.

Edible

Sugarcane

Saccharum officinarum

Negros muscovado and fresh juice.

Edible

Soybean

Glycine max

Behind taho, tokwa, and toyo.

Edible

Breadfruit

Artocarpus altilis

Visayan rice substitute tree.

Edible

Mulberry

Morus alba

Superfruit for berries and tea.

Ornamental Plant Guides

Ornamental

Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

The ultimate low-maintenance houseplant that purifies air day and night.

Ornamental

Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

The unkillable trailing vine for beginners — gorgeous on shelves and hanging baskets.

Ornamental

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

The iconic split-leaf statement plant that thrives in Philippine humidity.

Ornamental

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Elegant shade-loving bloomer and NASA-recognized air purifier.

Ornamental

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Drought-proof, low-light survivor with glossy architectural foliage.

Ornamental

Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum

Cheerful cascading houseplant that produces shareable babies.

Ornamental

Rubber Plant

Ficus elastica

Bold glossy leaves in burgundy or deep green for bright living rooms.

Ornamental

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus lyrata

Dramatic designer plant with violin-shaped leaves.

Ornamental

Anthurium

Anthurium andraeanum

Heart-shaped flowers that bloom year-round in Philippine homes.

Ornamental

Philodendron

Philodendron spp.

Tropical climber with hundreds of varieties from beginner to rare.

Ornamental

Alocasia

Alocasia spp.

Dramatic elephant ear foliage native to Philippine forests.

Ornamental

Calathea

Calathea spp.

Living art with patterned leaves that fold at night.

Ornamental

Bromeliad

Bromeliaceae family

Vibrant long-lasting color from the pineapple family.

Ornamental

Vanda Orchid

Vanda spp.

Queen of Philippine orchids with bare-root spectacular blooms.

Ornamental

Cattleya Orchid

Cattleya spp.

Large fragrant corsage orchid for collectors.

Ornamental

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea spp.

Paper-thin bracts cascading over Philippine walls and fences.

Ornamental

Gumamela

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Classic Filipino garden flower and childhood bubble toy.

Ornamental

Sampaguita

Jasminum sambac

The national flower with unforgettable fragrance.

Ornamental

Santan

Ixora coccinea

Childhood nectar flower loved by butterflies and Filipino kids.

Ornamental

Rosal (Rose)

Rosa spp.

Timeless symbol of love adapted to Philippine tropical climate.

Ornamental

Adelfa

Nerium oleander

Tough highway beauty with stunning blooms. Highly toxic.

Ornamental

Fire Tree

Delonix regia

Most spectacular flowering tree — flame-red canopy every summer.

Ornamental

Narra

Pterocarpus indicus

Philippine national tree with golden fragrant flowers.

Ornamental

Ylang-Ylang

Cananga odorata

World's most fragrant flower, native to the Philippines.

Ornamental

Bamboo

Bambusa spp.

Fastest-growing plant, rooted deep in Filipino culture.

Ornamental

Bird's Nest Fern

Asplenium nidus

Native rainforest epiphyte with architectural rosette form.

Ornamental

Aglaonema

Aglaonema spp.

Best low-light colorful houseplant in red, pink, and silver.

Ornamental

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia spp.

Bold patterned foliage and NASA air-purifying power.

Ornamental

Dracaena

Dracaena spp.

From lucky bamboo to corn plant — versatile air purifiers.

Ornamental

Croton

Codiaeum variegatum

Most colorful foliage plant needing full Philippine sun.

Ornamental

Ti Plant

Cordyline fruticosa

Good luck plant with colorful sword-like leaves.

Ornamental

Jade Plant

Crassula ovata

Feng shui money tree that can live over 100 years.

Ornamental

Aloe Vera (Sabila)

Aloe vera

Medicine cabinet in a pot for burns and skin care.

Ornamental

Succulents

Various genera

Drought-smart collection for sunny windowsills.

Ornamental

Plumeria (Kalachuchi)

Plumeria spp.

Fragrant tropical star with sweet perfume.

Ornamental

Gardenia

Gardenia jasminoides

Intoxicating white blooms on an acid-loving shrub.

Ornamental

Jasmine

Jasminum spp.

Fragrant climbing vines for fences and arbors.

Ornamental

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae

Exotic crane flower worth the multi-year wait.

Ornamental

Heliconia

Heliconia spp.

Bold tropical lobster claw inflorescences.

Ornamental

Caladium

Caladium bicolor

Heart-shaped colorful leaves that go dormant and return.

Ornamental

Coleus (Mayana)

Coleus scutellarioides

Original plantita plant native to the Philippines.

Ornamental

Marigold

Tagetes spp.

The Undas flower and companion planting champion.

Ornamental

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

Butterfly magnet annual in bold daisy-like blooms.

Ornamental

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Happiness flower from Tarlac farms to Manila balconies.

Ornamental

Petunia

Petunia × hybrida

Trumpet blooms for cool-season hanging baskets.

Ornamental

Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Shade-loving bloomer with explosive seed pods.

Ornamental

Begonia

Begonia spp.

250+ species native to the Philippines.

Ornamental

Hibiscus Hybrids

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids

Giant dinner-plate exotic blooms.

Ornamental

Ixora Hybrids

Ixora hybrids

Dwarf and super-flowering varieties beyond common santan.

Ornamental

Duranta

Duranta erecta

Golden 'Gold Mound' foliage for hedges and borders.