Alaska’s landscapes are world-renowned for their dramatic mountains, vast tundra and icy glaciers, but they’re also home to a rich variety of plant life. From vibrant fireweed fields to the hardy arctic poppies of Denali, the state offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers. Whether you’re trekking through Denali’s wildflower-filled trails or kayaking along the Kenai Fjords, here’s where and when to discover some of Alaska’s most iconic flora.

What Makes Alaska’s Plant Life Special?

Thanks to its unique climate and geography, Alaska supports a diverse range of ecosystems, from temperate rainforests to high alpine meadows. Long summer days provide ample sunlight, allowing wildflowers to bloom in spectacular bursts of color. The best time to see Alaska’s wildflowers is between late May and early August.

Must-See Alaska Flowers and Plants

Alaska’s botanical diversity is on full display across its unique landscapes. Here are some of the most striking plants you’ll find throughout the state:

1. Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis alpestris)

As Alaska’s state flower, the forget-me-not is a beloved symbol of the 49th state. These tiny, sky-blue blossoms thrive in alpine meadows and tundra regions. Look for them in Denali National Park and the Copper River Basin, especially in mid-summer.

The forget-me-not has been the official flower of Alaska since 1917 — long before Alaska became the 49th state. This flower is so significant to state history that the Alaska state flag, designed by a seventh grade student named Benny Benson, features a blue background in its honor.

2. Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)

Photo Credit: © State of Alaska/Michael DeYoung

One of Alaska’s most recognizable wildflowers, fireweed lights up the landscape in brilliant pinks and purples. It thrives in open meadows, roadsides and areas recovering from wildfires. Across the state, you can find entire fields of fireweed swaying in the breeze from July through early September. Local businesses use fireweed in everything from teas to salts to beauty products. The flower also has a rich history of use among Alaska’s Indigenous peoples!

3. Lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis)

Photo Credit: © State of Alaska/Michael DeYoung

Tall and elegant, these purple-blue flowers can be found along highways, riverbanks and open fields. Like fireweed, lupine grows in columns of budding flowers — but lupine stands out for the roundness of its petals and its distinctive cool-toned purple. Known as “bluebonnet” in the Lower 48, these flowers can be spotted in dense patches in early summer.

4. Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

With delicate pink blossoms in spring and golden-orange berries in summer, salmonberry plants add bursts of color to coastal rainforests. Often considered one of Alaska’s hidden gem plants, these vibrant berries are coveted by locals across the state! If you miss them on your trip, don’t worry — you can bring a taste of Alaska to you with salmonberry jam, sold across the state.

5. Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

These low-growing shrubs burst into bloom with dainty white or pink flowers in spring, later producing their signature deep-blue berries. Peak blueberry season marks the end of summer and locals flock to their favorite (and sometimes top-secret) spots to go berry picking with their families. The season is even celebrated with an annual Blueberry Festival in Girdwood each August, featuring pie-eating contests, baking competitions and local vendors selling all things blueberry.

6. Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)

Photo Credit: Dcrjsr / Wikimedia Commons

Cow parsnip features large, flat, canopies of white flowers atop long green stalks.  It thrives in meadows and along riverbanks. You’ll often spot them in Denali and Fairbanks, where they can grow up to six feet tall due to the near-continuous sunlight. But be careful! This plant can cause skin irritation when touched, so be sure to appreciate it from a safe distance when you spot it on hikes and nature walks.

7. Arctic Poppy (Papaver radicatum)

A true symbol of resilience, the arctic poppy has multiple varieties that thrive in Alaska. The subspecies Papaver alaskanum grows only in Alaska, and it can be found in the west along the Aleutian Chain, the coast of the Bering Sea and near Bristol Bay. Other varieties, like the rare Papaver mcconnellii, are found at higher altitudes, like by Denali National Park. Keep an eye out for the yellow basal spot that distinguishes the Papaver mcconnellii from other arctic poppies!

8. Fiddlehead Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

Emerging in spring as tightly coiled fronds, these ferns unfurl into delicate green foliage in Alaska’s moist forested areas, particularly along shaded hiking trails in the early spring. Local restaurants, like Mountain High Pizza Pie,  incorporate fiddlehead ferns seasonally. Keep an eye out on seasonal menus when visiting Alaska in the spring!

9. Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus)

Photo Credit: Brian Adams

With its broad, spiny leaves and conical clusters of red berries, devil’s club is a striking plant found in Alaska’s coastal rainforests. This plant has been used by Alaska Native peoples for thousands of years, for everything from fishhooks from its spiny limbs to traditional medicines from its leaves and berries. Hikers often note the plant’s incredible ginseng smell. Avoid getting caught by its many spines by wearing thick hiking pants when bushwhacking!

10. Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis)

Also known as rosehips among locals, these hardy, fragrant flowers grow in circumpolar forests. You can often find it growing among willows and alder in the wild. Locals love it for its fragrant qualities and high vitamin C content. Try a local rosehip syrup or rose soap.

Fun fact: prickly rose is one of the preferred snacks for snowshoe hares in Alaska!

Where to See Alaska’s Wildflowers

From boreal forests to tundra meadows, here are some of the best places to experience Alaska’s thriving plant life:

Denali National Park

Denali is home to some of the state’s most impressive floral displays. Arctic poppies, fireweed and forget-me-nots bloom against a backdrop of sweeping tundra. A great way to explore is by getting out in nature; try a Denali walking tour to learn more about the park’s vast ecosystem.

Fairbanks

Photo Credit: © State of Alaska/Michael DeYoung

The long summer daylight hours in Fairbanks create ideal conditions for a variety of plants, including cow parsnip, wild roses and blueberries. Curious minds eager to learn more about high-latitude horticulture can visit the Georgeson Botanical Garden. It’s one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the nation, within 100 miles of the Arctic Circle!

Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park

Photo Credit: Seward Mural Society

The coastal rainforests of Kenai Fjords National Park are rich with salmonberry blossoms, blueberries, devil’s club and lush ferns. Try a kayaking trip on Kenai Lake for a serene exploration of the local area, with expert guidance on local flora and fauna.

In the nearby town of Seward, find wildflowers commemorated on the walls of the mural capital of Alaska — a mural walk through downtown Seward takes you to all of the city’s most iconic works. Our favorite? The “Wildflowers Garden” mural on the corner of 4th and Adams St.

Copper River Valley

Photo Credit: © State of Alaska/Michael DeYoung

Fireweed, lupine and a variety of other wildflowers thrive in this pristine landscape including Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. In early June, varieties of lupine bloom in abundance. Explore the area by foot with an in-the-know local guide from Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment who can show you all of the best places to spot plants and berries. Or for a faster-paced adventure, get into the backcountry on a UTV trip to see even more.

Experience Alaska’s Natural Beauty with Princess Lodges

Alaska’s wildflowers and native plants add a breathtaking dimension to the state’s landscapes, from coastal rainforest to high-elevation taiga. Whether you’re hiking in Denali, exploring Talkeetna or wandering the forests of Seward, there’s always something in bloom to admire.

Book your stay at Princess Lodges to enjoy stunning botanical scenery just outside your door. With comfortable accommodations in some of Alaska’s most picturesque locations, your adventure into the world of wildflowers awaits!