Pikake is the Hawaiian name for Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac), a small, round, many-petaled white flower with a sweet, fresh jasmine scent. In Hawaii it is treasured for leis, especially at weddings and graduations, and it is one of the most fragrant flowers in the islands. In Tahiti, the same flower is called pitate.
Here is the story behind the name, what makes a pikake lei special, how the flower smells and how to keep its scent with you.
Where the name "pikake" comes from
Pīkake is also the Hawaiian word for peacock. The story most often told is that Princess Ka'iulani, who loved both her peacocks and this jasmine, gave the flower the same name. Whether or not every detail is exact, the name stuck, and pikake has been tied to romance and Hawaiian royalty ever since.
Jasminum sambac is not native to Hawaii. It came from tropical Asia and was brought to the islands in the 1800s, where it settled into gardens and lei culture.
What pikake looks and smells like
Pikake flowers are small, white and round, often double, with layers of petals that make them look like tiny roses. The buds are pearl-like, which is why many pikake leis look like strands of white beads.
The scent is sweet and fresh: a classic jasmine with a green, fruity, tea-like edge. Sambac jasmine is the flower used to scent jasmine tea. It tends to smell strongest in the evening, as the buds open. For a deeper dive into the scent itself, see what jasmine smells like.
The pikake lei
A pikake lei is one of the most prized leis in Hawaii. Because the flowers are small, it takes a lot of them to make one, and they are usually strung as buds, threaded end to end in a long strand. Several strands are often twisted or worn together for a fuller look.
- Weddings: pikake leis are a traditional choice for brides, sometimes worn as multiple strands. They also appear in wedding hair.
- Graduations and celebrations: a pikake lei signals a special occasion.
- Scent that grows: the buds open over the hours you wear them, so the lei gets more fragrant as the day goes on.
Pikake leis are delicate. Keep one in the refrigerator wrapped loosely in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag, and wear it the same day or the next. When you are done, the custom in Hawaii is to return a lei to nature, by hanging it on a tree or laying it on the ground, rather than throwing it away. For how pikake compares to the other classic lei flowers, read tiare, pikake and plumeria: the lei flowers.
Pikake meaning
In Hawaii, pikake is associated with romance, love and celebration, which is why it shows up at weddings. Jasmine in general carries similar meanings in many cultures: love, purity and sensuality.
Growing a pikake plant
Pikake is a shrub or loose vine that likes warmth, sun and regular water. It grows well in Hawaii and other frost-free climates, and many people in cooler places keep it in a pot and bring it indoors for winter. It blooms most heavily in the warm months. Pick buds in the morning or afternoon for leis, before they open.
Wearing the scent of pikake: Pitate monoi
A lei lasts a day or two. The scent can last much longer. In Tahiti, Parfumerie Tiki has made monoi oil in Papeete since 1942 by soaking tiare flowers in refined coconut oil. Its Pitate monoi, added in the 1970s, carries the sweet jasmine scent of the same flower Hawaii calls pikake. It is the boldest scent in the line, so a few drops on damp skin go a long way.
Many brides and lei lovers wear it on the day to match their lei, or keep a bottle afterward as a scent memory. Our Pitate jasmine body oil guide covers how to wear it, and there is a matching Pitate soap ($6).
Monoi turns solid below about 68°F (20°C), which is normal; warm it in your hands. Patch-test new fragrances if your skin is sensitive.
Pikake vs other Hawaiian lei flowers
- Pikake is small and pearl-like, with the sweetest, most intense scent. It is often reserved for special occasions.
- Plumeria is larger, softer-smelling and more plentiful, the everyday welcome lei. See the plumeria lei.
- Tiare (Tahitian gardenia) is creamy and clean, the signature flower of Tahiti and the base of all monoi. Read what tiare smells like.
Pikake and tiare are often combined in wedding leis and crowns, because the jasmine sweetness and the creamy gardenia scent complement each other.
Pikake FAQ
Is pikake the same as jasmine?
Yes. Pikake is Jasminum sambac, Arabian jasmine. It is a true jasmine.
What is pikake called in Tahiti?
Pitate. Monoi Tiki Tahiti's Pitate oil is named for it.
How long does a pikake lei last?
Usually a day or two. Keeping it cool and slightly damp in the refrigerator helps.
Why are pikake leis expensive?
The flowers are tiny and hand-picked as buds, so each lei takes a large number of them and a lot of stringing time.
Bring pikake home
We are the official U.S. importer of Monoi Tiki Tahiti, shipping from Hawaii. See all scents in the monoi scent guide.
Shop Pitate (pikake jasmine) monoi oil, 4 fl oz, $15. Orders of $30 or more ship free in the U.S. (any two $15 oils get you there).