The Influence of Culture in Plants Selection of Traditional Malay Garden Najiha Jaffar 1 , Nor Zalina Harun 2 1 3rd year Landscape Architecture Student, Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia Abstract: The history of the Traditional Malay garden has largely contributes to the identity of the Malay culture. The decreasing numbers of the traditional Malay garden nevertheless have resulted to the lack of understanding and appreciation towards the real concept of traditional Malay garden. This paper offers to shed light on the concept particularly on the aspect of plants selection among the Malays. This study based on qualitative research methodology. The information obtains from primary data (site visits, observation and interview) and secondary data through literature review on Malay culture and traditional Malay garden. The research contends that the traditional Malay garden has its own special attributes according to different functions of softscape elements identified throughout the study. The study conclude that it is important for landscape architect to master the values of traditional Malay garden in order to ensure that the legacy of the Malay ethnicity being preserved. Keywords: traditional Malay garden, Malay culture, Malay landscape, plants selection 1. INTRODUCTION The location of Malaysia in the humid tropics had endowed this country's landscape with various types of flora and fauna. With this numerous of magnificent biodiversity, many species of flora have been identified to give benefit to the local community. Thus, this study finding the real characteristics of the traditional Malay garden related to culture and plants selection in traditional Malay house compound. The old manuscripts are being the references for this study to identify the way of life in the past community. From that, it displays that plants is being used for a various purposes by the people in their daily life. The strength of landscape design of the traditional Malay garden can be detected by the occurrence of plants around the traditional Malay house to cater the needs of household. Hence, this paper suggests the appropriate design to strengthen identity of Traditional Malay garden. The questions in this study are; i) How the plant’s selection of traditional Malay garden influences with the Malay culture? ii) What are the typologies and functions of the plant’s in the traditional Malay garden? iii) What is the concept of traditional Malay garden? Therefore, further explanations on the questions clarify in this paper. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Definition of Terminologies  Culture - The term culture convey a meaning as a way of life of a community as well as the behaviors, beliefs, symbols that they tolerate, usually without thinking about them, and inherited by imitation from one generation to the next. (Kottak, 2004)  Traditional – According to Cambridge dictionary, traditional is a people’s or society way of life that had inherited according to the tradition. Traditional closely related to the culture, which is culture is should be share together to create the relationship in community.  Garden – The setting with natural and manmade elements. The garden is created to provide the recreational needs such as the pleasure and comfort environment, some economic values such as herbs and fruits plants.  The Malays - The Malays people typically brown-skinned, average body size and always gentle and courteous. In theory, a person of Malay in the legal terms can be anyone, from the descendants of anything,