A Complete Guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya

But you will be surprised that many people in Malaysia love plants and gardens, and the Royal Floria in Putrajaya is the biggest and best event to visit for this. This unique Malaysian horticulture event also reflects the standards of the nation’s landscaping industry, which has improved over the years since its inauguration.

Complete Guide to Royal Floria Putrajaya

Royal Floria has also managed to elevate the country to the level of other countries known for their flower and garden expos and events.

Entrance to Royal Floria in Putrajaya, Malaysia

The Putrajaya Garden, flower and Horticulture Expo originally started in 2007 as a biannual event. In 2010, it became an annual event due to the overwhelming response from the public and participants.

10th anniversary of Royal Floria in 2018

10th Anniversary of Royal Floria Putrajaya

2018 marked the 10th anniversary of Royal Floria and featured a unique showcase of the last nine years of Floria as the main display. This was a stand-alone special garden for visitors to walk through.

Visitors are taken through a special garden walk with displays of the theme flowers from 2007 to 2016 and some basic information about each year.

Royal Floria 2018 showcased 10 years of Floria; this is Floria 2009 with the Orchid theme.

Overall, landscaping used all the flowers from previous years, creating a vibrant outlook for the flower festival. His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor officiated the event on the first day along with VIPs and other dignitaries.

Below is the official poster for Royal Floria 2019, which was issued on July 21st, 2019. The 11th installation of the flower and garden show takes place from August 31st to September 8th, 2019.

It will also be held at the Taman Botani Putrajaya of Precinct 1, Putrajaya. The event will also open from 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM.

Royal Floria 2019, with a theme called Mother of all Gardens, Orchids & Bonsai

• Royal Floria Putrajaya 2019 – Mother of All Gardens, Orchids, and Bonsai
• Royal Putrajaya Floria 2018 – 10 Wonders of Floria, every theme flower from the last 9 years
• Royal Putrajaya Floria 2017 – There was no event this year
• Royal Putrajaya Floria 2016 – Chrysanthemum Theme
• Royal Putrajaya Floria 2015 – Lily Theme
• Floria Putrajaya 2014 – Begonia Theme
• Floria Putrajaya 2013 – Orchid Theme (Orkid)
• Putrajaya Floria 2012 – Flower Paper Theme (Bunga Kertas)
• Putrajaya Floria 2011 – Rose Theme
• Floria Putrajaya 2010 – Heliconia Theme
• Floria Putrajaya 2009 – Orchid Theme (Orkid)
• Floria Putrajaya 2008 – There was no event for this year
• Floria Putrajaya Flower and Garden Exhibition 2007 – Hibiscus Theme

A large Floria sign is seen at the event.

However, reports state that in 2014, His Majesty Agong (King) of Malaysia was awarded the’ Royal’ status, and this needs to be clarified as there is no official documentation.

Royal Gardens also became part of the exhibition, where each year, a different state in Malaysia featured its own Royal Garden or Taman Di Raja as one of the main exhibits.

Visitors can visit these beautifully manicured Royal Gardens and take photos. A good tip is to come early for lovely pictures with a clear blue sky. Otherwise, visit the Royal Garden during sunset for the magical moment when the lights are on.

Putrajaya’s Enchanted Garden at Royal Floria 2018

Royal Floria is also the brainchild of the Putrajaya Corporation (Perbadanan Putrajaya or PPj), and they collaborate with the Federal Territories Ministry. This event is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia to brand this as a major tourism event in Malaysia.

In 2017, Royal Floria won the Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) Gold Award for The Biggest Flower and Garden Festival in Malaysia. Since then, Royal Floria has also won numerous awards and accolades locally and internationally.

Beautiful flower colours on display at Royal Floria Putrajaya

However, being the first time the event was held, there were many hiccups, including dying flowers, wilting flowers and plants, bad layout designs and no proper signages. Over the years, the organizers ironed out all of these issues, and Royal Floria has become one of Malaysia’s most beautiful and successful outdoor events.

A Merdeka-themed garden in conjunction with the Malaysia National Day

Did You Know?

Did you know that Royal Floria always takes place around the month of Merdeka, or the Malaysian National Day? It also lasts nine days at Anjung Floria.

Because of this, there is a lot of emphasis on the elements of the nation’s independence in the floral decorations. They are also done by professionals and college and university students.

This, in turn, results in some beautiful creations by the designers and landscapers for the largest floral and garden exhibition in Malaysia.

When is the Best Time to Visit Royal Floria in Putrajaya? 

This is a tricky question, but I would personally recommend visiting the flower exhibition in the first few days. It is also best to visit just before the weekend, as the event can get crowded on weekends and National Day. Trust me, it does get crowded.

For photographers or those who want some peace and quiet, I highly recommend going on an opening day and in the morning or evening. Try to avoid going in midday, as it can get really hot and humid.

For those who dislike humid weather, I recommend going in the evenings, when it is much cooler. The event closes at around 11:00 PM, so you have a lot of time in the night there.

One of the floral displays is located indoor

Exhibitions and Displays at Royal Floria

Every year, various international designers and landscape architects from around the world are invited to participate and showcase their creative work and designs at Royal Floria. Over the years, many countries have taken part, namely the Southeast Asian and Greater Asia countries that have been strong supporters of this royal event.

Designers floral work

Countries from as far as the Middle East and Europe have taken part in Royal Floria in Putrajaya.

Every year, new countries participate, and in 2018, Korea also participated in the event. Hopefully, for Royal Floria 2019, we will see even more countries participating.

Among some of the main displays and events that are held every year are below;

• Royal Floria Entrance Statement
• Royal Floria Wonder Garden
• Royal Floria Royal Garden
• Royal Floria Miniature Garden
• Royal Floria Fertigation Garden
• Royal Floria International Dialogue

The main entrance into Royal Floria in Putrajaya

The word Floria at the entrance of the event

What Goes On At Royal Floria?

While flowers and plants are the main highlights of this nine-day Malaysian horticulture event, there are a few other activities. Participating teams, councils, companies from around Malaysia, and some regional companies hold themed garden exhibitions indoors and outdoors.

Though creativity takes centre stage here, a fun-filled family or couple activity is easily achieved when you spend the day here.

And apart from just the flowers and gardens, there are, of course, other things happening at Royal Floria, which are;

• Flower and Garden Displays
• Colleges and Universities Gardens
• Floral Pavilion
• Orchid Display
• Bonsai Display
• Outdoor Plant Bazaar
• Craft Bazaar Indoor
• Floria Flavours Food Center
• Horticulture Talks
• Workshops and Demonstrations
• Various Contests

Orchids being sold at the Plant Bazaar of Royal Floria

Plant Bazaar at Royal Floria

Every year, Royal Floria hosts a plant and garden bazaar, where numerous vendors from around Malaysia set up shop in a specialized area of the event.

This plant and garden bazaar is highly popular among the locals as it is the one time you can find many different vendors selling all sorts of plants, flowers, orchids, air plants, fertilizers, etc. On average, about 20 vendors provide an avenue for beginners or even plant collectors to get some plants and fertilizers at discounted prices.

Orchid vendors at the plant bazaar

The most popular vendors are the orchid vendors, who showcase many different types of orchids for sale. This is a big hit among the locals and orchid lovers.

Many locals will head to the Plant Bazaar to buy all sorts of plants because the vendors come from all over Malaysia. If you love plants, I highly recommend you visit the Plant Bazaar at Royal Floria.

Vendors include many orchid sellers, who have some beautiful hybrid and rare orchids, air plant sellers, cacti and succulent sellers, and commercial landscaping plant sellers.

Inside the Royal Floria Craft Bazaar and Hipster Square

Craft Bazaar and Hipster Square

This section is held inside an air-conditioned tent at the event and houses over 50 vendors. You will find a good mix of items sold here, but of course, the priority goes to plant-related sellers.

Overall, the Royal Floria Craft Bazaar offers everything, from clothes to food, jewellery, collectables, terrariums, and the list goes on.

In the middle of the event hall, they have a horticulture-themed art experience for kids and adults, which is open to everyone. Workshops and demonstrations are also held here. The art session and vendor list change from year to year.

One of the contestants for the Royal Floria awards

Royal Floria Contest and Awards

Every year, Royal Floria holds various contests throughout the duration of the event here in Putrajaya. Special awards are also given out to participants.

The contest is divided into several main areas: one for the invited participants, one for the media, and the other for the visiting public.

Below is a list of the contests that is usually held in conjunction with Royal Floria;

Contest and Awards for Participants

• Garden Prime Awards – This is for participants who showcase gardens at the event and can win a cash prize of RM15,000.
• Designer Boutique Garden Award – Another award and prize totalling RM10,000 for this category.
• Garden of Malaysia Award – This category also has a cash prize of RM5,000.
• Royal Floria Putrajaya Inter­na­tional Cup
• Bonsai and Suiseki Competition Awards
• Orchid Competition Awards

Some of the air plants that make interesting photography subjects

Contest for Media

• Best Media Article – RM5,000 for either print or electronic media.
• Best Media Photograph – RM5,000 for either print or electronic media.

Contest for Public

• Photography Competition – Open to the public, but you must register for this at the event.
• Watercolor Competition – Open to kids and registration at the event.
• Colouring Contest – Registration is required for kids and is set on a specific day.

One of the floral competition pieces on display

Where is Royal Floria?

This prestigious event is held in Precinct 4 of Putrajaya, at Anjung Floria, a specially dedicated event area for Royal Floria. The first few events were previously held at Precinct 2 of Putrajaya, and after years of negotiations, the organizers finally found a home here at Precinct 4.

Anjung Floria is located near the main CBD area of Putrajaya, where all the government administrative buildings are. It is also just by the Seri Saujana Bridge, one of Putrajaya’s most modern and beautiful bridges.

One of the creative designs using flowers on display indoors

Royal Floria Ticket Prices

Tickets to Royal Floria are available at the door or on the official website. A few months before the event, discounted tickets are usually available. Below is the current price of tickets for Malaysia and foreigners, with special discounts for children, senior citizens, and disabled people.

Please note that there are weekday and weekend tickets for Royal Floria, and the prices below are based on the 2018 event.

• Train – KLIA Transit from KL Sentral, get off at Putrajaya station, and then take the local Nadi Putra Bus.
• Taxi – From KL Sentral, it is around RM45-50 one way to Putrajaya. Call a taxi service or use Uber or GrabCar to get back from Putrajaya. If you take a normal taxi, I suggest you tell the taxi man that you may need a return journey or his contact number.
• Bus – Rapid KL bus from KL Sentral to Putrajaya, around RM5 one way. Bus services usually end around 10 to 11 pm.
• Shuttle Bus – Some hotels in Kuala Lumpur offer a paid shuttle service to and from, but you need to check with your hotel. Shangri-la Hotel in KL is one of them.