BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity at The Retreat

More than 50 plant species thrive across the resort, alongside regular visits from, great hornbills, common mynas, and Chinese pond herons. Our off-site garden serves as both a plant nursery and a food source for our restaurant and staff canteen, with surplus sold through our community garden shop. The garden is nourished by in-house compost made from food waste and fruit shells, processed naturally.

Explore our Flora Collection

Cajuput Tree

A coastal tree recognized by its pale, peeling bark and narrow, aromatic leaves. Noted for its high tolerance to salt spray, seasonal flooding, and poor sandy soil. Produces slender white flower spikes rich in nectar, supporting coastal wildlife. In Koh Chang, it forms sturdy thickets along shore and wetland edges, valued for its resilient timber and natural adaptability to harsh, windswept conditions.

Sea Lettuce Tree

A salt-tolerant coastal shrub with thick, grey-green leaves coated in a waxy bloom. Milky sap is irritant. Noted for its star-shaped lilac or white flowers held in firm clusters, long valued in seaside landscapes for their durability. Thrives in Koh Chang’s dry, sun-exposed shorelines, where poor soil and sea spray quickly weaken less resilient species.

Golden Gardenia

A medium shrub with glossy, opposite leaves and a clean, upright form. Noted for its long, tubular blossoms that open ivory-white before turning rich golden yellow. Strongly fragrant at dusk, carrying scent well across a garden. Prefers well-drained soil and full sun, making it a dependable ornamental choice in warm, humid landscapes.

Birds of Paradise

A sturdy ornamental plant known for its bold, architectural leaves and striking orange-and-blue flowers. Tolerant of coastal wind and bright sun, it thrives in Koh Chang’s humid island climate. Valued for its long-lasting blooms and tough foliage, often used in landscaping where a resilient, tropical accent is needed.

Over 50 Species

The resort is home to more than fifty thriving plant species, woven through gardens set beneath the island’s rainforest mountains. Guests may explore at leisure, guided by our flora book for a deeper understanding of the plants that shape the landscape.

Story

Our gardens were developed in consultation with botanical experts, allowing us to create a landscape rooted in Koh Chang’s natural character. Plants that need time to recover are brought to our off-site nursery. When the garden becomes too lush, healthy cuttings are propagated and offered through our community garden shop, allowing nothing to go to waste and extending the life of each plant.

Caring Methodology

We follow a fully natural approach to garden care, using only bio-based, chemical-free treatments. Our plants are nourished with compost made on-site and watered with recycled, treated water, supporting a healthy landscape with minimal waste.