Native Trees and the Benefits of Planting Them in Malaysia

What is a native tree?

A native tree is a tree that grows naturally in an area, without being brought in by people. In Malaysia, that includes trees like Tembusu, Penaga Lilin and Pokok Salam, which grow wild in our forests and coasts.

The opposite is an introduced (or exotic) tree, brought here from another country. Rain Tree and Mahogany are good examples: they are everywhere in Malaysia, but they came from Central and South America.

What are the benefits of planting native trees?

1. Made for Malaysian weather Native trees are used to our heat, heavy rain and soil, so they settle in well after planting.

2. Less watering and care required Once established, they usually need less water, fertiliser and attention than many introduced trees.

   
   

3. Safer streets

   The National Landscape Department (JLN) recommends native trees for roadsides to lower the risk of falling trees and branches.

   
   

4. Food and shelter for wildlife

   Local birds, bees and butterflies depend on the flowers, fruit and leaves of native trees.

   
   

5. No risk of taking over

   Native trees are part of the local ecosystem, so they won't spread out of control the way some introduced plants can.

   
   

6. Green Building Index (GBI) Native planting can help projects earn Green Building Index (GBI) points for greenery, shade and water saving.

36 common native plants in Malaysia

All of these grow naturally in Malaysia. Click a name to find out more.

Common Name	Botanical Name
Mempari	Pongamia pinnata
Tembusu	Cyrtophyllum fragrans
Penaga Lilin	Mesua ferrea
Pulai	Alstonia scholaris
Meranti Tembaga	Rubroshorea leprosula
Jelutong	Dyera costulata
Kayu Manis Hutan	Cinnamomum iners
Kelumpang	Sterculia parviflora
Yellow Flame (Batai Laut)	Peltophorum pterocarpum
Bungor Langkawi	Lagerstroemia langkawiensis
Pink Mempat	Cratoxylum formosum
Derum (Kayu Arang)	Cratoxylum cochinchinense
Gapis	Saraca declinata
Bunga Tanjung	Mimusops elengi
Fairy Petticoats	Elaeocarpus grandiflorus
Pokok Salam	Syzygium polyanthum
Kelat Nasi-Nasi	Syzygium antisepticum
Kelat	Syzygium glaucum
Kelat Gelam	Syzygium gratum
Meribut (Bucida Kari)	Diospyros buxifolia
Tembusu Tikus	Pteleocarpa lamponga
Belinjau	Gnetum gnemon
Kekatong	Cynometra malaccensis
Geronggang Derum Bukit	Cratoxylum maingayi
Pelawan	Tristaniopsis whiteana
Pelawan-pelawan	Tristaniopsis obovata
Nyatoh	Planchonella obovata
Podocarpus	Podocarpus polystachyus
Otak Udang	Buchanania arborescens
Petai Laut	Dendrolobium umbellatum
Purple Sea Hibiscus	Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Purpurascens'
Mata Pelanduk	Ardisia elliptica
Cempaka Hutan	Gardenia carinata
Kedah Gardenia	Gardenia tubifera
Suregada	Suregada multiflora
Kelat Nasi	Eugenia spicata

Popular trees that are NOT native

These are great landscape trees, but they were brought in from overseas

1. Rain Tree - from Central and South America

2. Mahogany - from Central and South America

3. Golden Penda (Jambu Kuning) - from Australia

4. Delonix Regia (Semarak Api) - from the Madagascar

Looking for native trees to earn GBI points?

WhatsApp us your plant list and we'll reply with native options, sizes and prices.