Our Five Must-See Plants When In Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the top tourist destinations in America (if not the world), and it’s easy to see why! Not only is it home to sandy beaches, ocean views, and decadent food, Hawaii is also home to some of the rarest and most unique plants in the world. With dozens upon dozens of flora throughout the islands, you can

Whether you can talk shop with a botanist, or consider yourself to be a gardening novice, these five must-see plants will help you learn more about how diverse Hawaii’s ecosystem really is:

Alocasia

The Big Island is home to dozens of plants, including several types of Alocasia! This perennial is sometimes referred to as Elephant’s Ear, and comes in several different varieties and colors, but is easily identifiable by the structure of its leaves. If left to their own devices, their leaves can grow up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide!

Blue Jade Vine

The Blue Jade vine (aka Strongylodon Macrobotrys) lives deep in the jungle, but is easy to spot thanks to its bright, turquoise leaves! These plants love to climb and can be seen from late spring through early summer. Hawaii also has a close relative to this Strongylodon, the red jade vine!

Hibiscus Kokio

Endemic to the island, these flowers are quite rare and are usually only found by the coast. If you find yourself at our botanical garden, the hibiscus kokio will be sure to grab your eye. Their color ranges from red to bright orange and, in rare instances, bright yellow.

Hanging Lobster Claw (Heliconia Rostrata)

Hanging Lobster Claw is a perennial with dark green leaves which are borne on long petioles arising directly from the ground. During the spring and summer months, these fluorescent pink and green-tipped cluster droop from their 3-5 feet tall stems. This plant produces an ample amount of nectar for local wildlife, like hummingbirds, making this a staple for many tropical gardens.

Jasmine

Not many plants are as popular as Jasmine. It’s one of the only plants that can grow as a vine or a shrub, and its smell can be enjoyed from yards away. While it may not be native to the island, Jasmine has earned the Hawaiian name of pikake. It was given the name by Princess Ka’iulani, after her pet peacocks. There are many species and styles of jasmine, and they make a great addition to any tropical garden.

If you’re lucky enough to visit the islands of Hawaii, you may not see all of these one-of-a-kind plants in the wild. In fact, many of Hawaii’s endemic plants are considered endangered. However, there are still ways to view the Big Island’s unique flora and contribute to their conservation: by visiting a designated tropical garden, like the one we have here at Botanical World. Our garden Hawaii zipline is home to dozens of tropical plants for your viewing pleasure.

With one of our Garden passes, you can embark on a self-guided tour, or join one of our expert staff members who can answer all of your questions about Hawaii’s lush flora. The best part of all, you can book your trip online TODAY!

If you have any questions, you can contact us today at (808) 731-1160 or at [email protected]!