You can create a Hawaii-inspired backyard, but there is no single planting list that suits every Hawaiian island or every yard. Choose plants for your site’s island, light, water, and space—and consider locally appropriate Hawaiian native plants first. Use species examples as a starting point, then confirm their fit with local references and horticultural guidance.
Start with your yard, not a plant list
Hawaiʻi’s planting conditions vary by island and location. Before choosing plants, note how much sun each area gets, how wet or dry it stays, and how much room plants will have as they mature. Elevation, wind, rainfall, soil, and a plant’s natural range also matter; a plant associated with mountain conditions, for example, may do poorly in a dry area.
The University of Hawaiʻi’s Native Plants Hawaiʻi database can help narrow options by island, natural distribution, water, light, plant form, landscape use, conservation status, and mature height. Check each candidate’s profile rather than assuming that a plant described as Hawaiian will suit every site.
What plants grow well in Hawaii?
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) names these Hawaiian plants as examples of species that grow well in Hawaiʻi. They are starting points, not a universal planting prescription.
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- ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha)
- ʻĀkia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi)
- Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis)
- Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus)
- ʻIlima (Sida fallax)
- Palapalai (Microlepia strigosa)
- Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia)
- Pua kala (Argemone glauca)
- ʻĀkilikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
- ʻAʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa)
Native plants can take time to establish and may be difficult to transplant. UH Master Gardener guidance advises matching plants to the conditions where they naturally grow; allow space for future growth and do not expect every plant to put on new growth quickly. See UH Master Gardener guidance on using native plants in landscaping.
What tropical plants like full sun?
NTBG’s full-sun examples include ʻaʻaliʻi, ʻilima, pohinahina, wiliwili, ʻōhiʻa, pua kala, pili grass, ʻākulikuli, and ʻākia. “Full sun” is a useful filter, not a complete site recommendation: verify each plant’s distribution, water needs, and mature form before planting.
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What tropical plants grow in the shade?
NTBG lists kupukupu, palapalai, and pālʻa as shade examples. Confirm the level of shade and other site requirements for the specific plant, then check its natural distribution and profile in Native Plants Hawaiʻi.
Consider canoe plants for cultural meaning and use
NTBG also identifies canoe plants—Polynesian-introduced plants with cultural significance—as options adapted to Hawaiʻi’s climate. Its examples include kalo, banana, coconut, sugar cane, turmeric, and ʻuala (sweet potato). Depending on the site and the gardener’s goals, they can provide edible or culturally meaningful elements as well as structure. They are not all suited to every yard, so apply the same checks for space and growing conditions.
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Plan a small garden area that works together
Begin with one section of the yard. NTBG describes a garden as a “mini-ecosystem”: select plants that grow well together and serve complementary roles. For example, think about whether the area needs groundcover, an accent, a hedge, a screen, or a tree, then compare candidates by light, moisture, natural range, mature height, and establishment pace.
A local nursery is a practical place to ask about native plants and what is appropriate for your area. NTBG encourages gardeners to ask nurseries where native species are available and notes that its gardens host plant sales; check directly for current stock and event dates. For a deeper planning reference, the 2022 Go Native! book includes sample garden plans and a quick-reference table of more than 200 native Hawaiian and canoe plants. That figure describes the book’s table, not the total number of Hawaiian plants.
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Research non-native ornamentals before planting
A tropical appearance alone does not make a plant a responsible choice for a particular place. NTBG advises: “If you choose to add non-native plants to your home garden, be sure to research the species beforehand to avoid planting something invasive or damaging to your local ecosystems.” Check suitability and potential ecological impacts before adding a non-native species.
Care depends on the plant
Do not apply one watering schedule to every tropical plant. For a specific example, a 2003 CTAHR publication says ʻōhiʻa lehua can grow as a blooming tree or shrub in the ground or in a large pot. It advises not letting ʻōhiʻa dry out during establishment or container growing, and says daily watering is essential in areas without daily rainfall. The guidance is specific to ʻōhiʻa, not a general rule for tropical gardens. The publication also notes that ʻōhiʻa flowers and young leaf tips are highly prized for lei. Read CTAHR’s publication on native Hawaiian plants for landscaping, conservation, and reforestation.
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- Specially formulated potting mix for tropical plants
- Packed with nutrients that feed tropical plants for up to 6 months
- Includes lava rock for added drainage that tropical plants need
- Excellent for all tropical plants living in outdoor and indoor containers, including spider plants, zz plants, snake plants, pothos, croton, monstera, fiddle-leaf fig, and more
- Bundle includes two bags of Miracle-Gro Tropical Potting Mix
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
