Hanguana (bakung) Hanguana malayana
Hanguana (bakung) (Hanguana malayana) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Hanguanaceae family, native to Sri Lanka and Indochina to northern Australia and Palau, including Singapore (freshwater swamps, ponds and river margins). It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Hanguana (bakung) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Hanguana (bakung) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Hanguanaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Sri Lanka and Indochina to northern Australia and Palau, including Singapore (freshwater swamps, ponds and river margins) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Hanguana (bakung) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity data found.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hanguana (bakung)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Hanguana (bakung) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (10 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (6 plants)
Questions about Hanguana (bakung)
- How far apart should I plant Hanguana (bakung)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Hanguana (bakung) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hanguana (bakung) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Hanguana (bakung)?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Hanguana (bakung) flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Hanguana (bakung) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity data found.
- What grows well with Hanguana (bakung)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hanguana (bakung). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Freshwater or peat swamp plant: needs permanently wet, acidic, waterlogged ground.
- Large tufts of long, pleated leaves (whitish beneath) on short stems, often half-floating at the swamp edge; plants are male or female; red berries.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris