So, you’ve beaten the main story of God of War Ragnarök. You’ve seen the credits roll, maybe shed a tear over Kratos’s character arc, and now you’re staring at a map filled with icons. One of those icons is for a favor called Nine Realms in Bloom. Honestly, most players treat this like a simple "fetch quest" to pad out the runtime. They’re wrong.
It’s actually a hauntingly beautiful piece of world-building that anchors the post-game experience.
Picking up flowers sounds soft. It sounds like something Freya would do to pass the time while the world recovers from Fimbulwinter. But if you're actually trying to hit that 100% completion mark or grab the "The Florist" Trophy, you’ll realize this quest takes you into the most dangerous corners of the map that you probably skipped during the frantic rush to stop Odin. It isn't just about botany. It’s about seeing how the world breathes after the war.
Finding the First Bud
You usually stumble into this quest in one of two ways. Either you find the Frostfinger in Helheim or the Sparkthorn in Svartalfheim. There is no "start here" sign. The game just expects you to explore.
Helheim is a nightmare. It’s cold, the wind howls, and the scenery is basically different shades of "bleak." But right there, near the boat dock where you spent so much time fighting Hel-Walkers, is a flower. It feels out of place. That’s the point. The Nine Realms in Bloom favor is meant to show that life is returning to places that were previously synonymous with death.
If you're looking for the Sparkthorn, head to Nidavellir. You’ll need the Draupnir Spear. Basically, if you don't have the spear yet, don't even bother hunting these down. You need to throw it into a steam vent to create a swing point. It’s a small puzzle, nothing like the Nornir chests, but it’s a nice reminder that the world is layered. You’ll find the flower sitting near a bunch of houses. It’s mundane. It’s quiet.
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The Tricky Ones: Ironwood and The Sinkholes
Vanaheim is where most people lose their minds.
The Starblush is tucked away in The Sinkholes. To get there, you have to open the dam. If you haven't done the "Return of the River" favor, the flower basically doesn't exist. You need the water to flow so you can boat into the back areas. It’s located near a mystic gateway, but getting the boat positioned correctly is half the battle. Vanaheim is dense. It’s claustrophobic. The plants want to kill you, except for the one you’re looking for.
Then there’s Jotunheim.
A lot of players think they can’t go back to Jotunheim after the story ends. You can. Talk to Ratatoskr. He’ll give you the Yggdrasil Seeds. Once you warp to Angrboda’s Treehouse, you’re looking for the Ironbell. It’s just down a trail from where she spends her time. It’s a poignant moment. Walking through the woods where Atreus learned about his heritage, now empty of the frantic energy of the prophecy. It’s just a boy’s friend keeping a garden.
Every Flower Location (The Reality Check)
Look, I’m not going to give you a perfectly symmetrical list. Some of these are easy, some are a pain in the neck. Here is the breakdown of what you’re actually looking for:
- Dreamshade (Niflheim): You’ll find this in the Aesir Prison Wreckage. This area only unlocks after the game is over. It’s a multi-floor dungeon essentially. The flower is inside one of the cells. Yes, you have to fight your way through remnant guards to get a flower. The irony isn’t lost on Kratos.
- Ashpetal (Muspelheim): Right next to Brok’s (well, now Lunda’s) shop at the Crucible. This is the easiest one. If you’ve been doing the combat trials, you’ve probably tripped over it already.
- Dawnbloom (Alfheim): Located in the Forbidden Sands. You have to go way out west. It’s behind a rock formation near a library. The light in Alfheim is beautiful, but the Elves are still annoying, so watch your back.
- Soulblossom (Helheim): Wait, I mentioned Helheim earlier. The Soulblossom is specifically near the area where you fought Garm. You’ll need the spear again to bridge a gap.
- Mistsbloom (Mistheim/Niflheim): Don't confuse this with the prison flower. This one is near the Raven Tree. It’s chilly.
- Obscurity (Midgard): Found near the Derelict Outpost. It’s tucked away in a corner of the ruins.
The Dreamshade in the Niflheim prison is arguably the most important for the lore. The prison holds a certain "someone" who changes the entire context of the story’s ending. Finding the flower there feels like a peace offering to a character who was deeply wronged by Odin.
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Why Does This Quest Even Exist?
Santa Monica Studio didn't just put this in to check a box. In the original 2018 game, the realms felt static once the story ended. In Ragnarök, the Nine Realms in Bloom quest acts as a tour of the aftermath.
You see the Crater in Vanaheim, which is a massive, optional open-world zone that many casual players miss entirely. By forcing you to find the Starblush, the game is gently nudging you to discover the "Casualty of War" quests and the dragon hunts. It's smart design disguised as a collection task.
And let's be real—Kratos carrying a bouquet is the ultimate character development. The man who destroyed Olympus is now carefully harvesting petals. It's a vibe.
Tackling the "Gna" Problem
A lot of people think Nine Realms in Bloom is the hardest thing to do post-game. It’s not. Finding the flowers is easy compared to what usually happens while you’re looking for them.
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While you’re in Muspelheim or Niflheim, you’re going to run into the Remnants of Asgard. These are high-level encounters that will wreck you if you’re under-geared. The quest effectively forces you to interact with the world's state of geopolitical unrest. You aren't just a florist; you're a clean-up crew.
The most common mistake? Trying to do this before finishing the "A Viking Funeral" quest. Honestly, finish the secret ending first. It puts the world in the right emotional state. Then, take Freya—who has actual dialogue for these flowers—and go for a walk. Her commentary adds a layer of grief and hope that makes the trek worth it.
Actionable Steps for the Completionist
If you're stuck at 98% and that last flower is missing, here is how you fix it:
- Check your Yggdrasil Seeds: Talk to the squirrel (Ratatoskr) at Sindri’s House. If you don't have all the seeds, you literally cannot access the Jotunheim or Niflheim prison locations.
- Flood Vanaheim: If the Starblush isn't appearing, check the sky. Is it night? Did you open the dam in the Jungle? You must complete "Return of the River" to access the Sinkholes properly.
- The Spear is Key: If you see a wind vent (a small glowing spark on a wall or pillar), throw the Draupnir Spear at it ($L2 + R1$, then $Triangle$). Most of these flowers are hidden behind "spear-only" traversal points.
- Watch the Compass: The quest tracker for this favor is actually pretty decent, but it only works if you're in the right sub-region. If you're in "The Barrens" in Alfheim, it won't point you to the "Forbidden Sands" flower. You have to be in the right neighborhood.
- Talk to Lunda: Sometimes her shop dialogue triggers hints about where the world is changing.
Don't rush it. The Nine Realms in Bloom is meant to be the "slow down and look at what you saved" part of the game. It’s the closest Kratos gets to a retirement hobby. Grab the flowers, get the trophy, and take a second to appreciate the fact that the realms aren't on fire anymore. Well, except Muspelheim. That place is always on fire.