Hawaii is home to exotic and tropical flowers that are an integral part of its culture. You must have seen locals welcoming the visitors with a garland of orchids or plumeria! Discover the best Hawaiian Flowers Names and their growing habits!
Check out our article on flowers that grow in Russia here
Hawaiian Flowers Names
1. Plumeria
Botanical Name: Plumeria rubra
USDA Zones: 9-11
Plumeria was discovered in Mexico in the 1800s. In Hawaii, plumeria blooms pink and purple flowers between April and November. The pods have the potential to produce flowers 365 days, depending on the location and climate.
Growing Tips
It thrives in well-drained, acidic soil under full sunlight.
Find out the Maryland Native Plant List here
2. Heliconia
Botanical Name: Heliconia rostrata
USDA Zones: 10-13
Also known as ‘Lobster claw,’ Heliconia is native to the belts of Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru. It flowers yearly and can grow up to 12-16 feet tall.
The flowers are found in many shapes, sizes, and colors, including yellow and scarlet-red, edged with yellow-green. It is one of the best Hawaiian flowers you can grow!
Heliconia prefers full to partial shade and well-drained soil.
3. Birds of Paradise
Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae
USDA Zones: 10-12
Bird of Paradise or Crane flower is one of the most recognized Hawaiian flower names. It displays blue-green leaves with a red midrib, while the orange petals complement the thick evergreen foliage.
The plant can grow up to 4-5 feet in height and 2-3 feet wide, making them ideal to be grown as an indoor houseplant!
Bird of paradise requires fertile loamy, well-drained soil, and full sun or partial shade for optimum growth.
Learn about Getting Birds of Paradise to Bloom here
4. Hawaiian Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus brackenridgei
USDA Zones: 9-10
Native to Hawaii, in 1988, yellow hibiscus was declared the national flower by the Hawaiian Government. It can be found in shades of white, pink, red, and yellow. The plant may flower daily, but the blossoms hardly last more than a few days.
This hibiscus variety likes moist, well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade.
Here are different types of hibiscus that you can grow!
5. Ohia Lehua
Botanical Name: Metrosideros polymorpha
Ohia lehua flowers abundantly in Spring with salmon pink, white, yellow, red, and orange shades. The fruit of this plant is the favorite of Hawaiian honeycreepers. Its bark and young leaves have several medicinal properties.
Ohia lehua thrives well in boggy or basalt soil, high humidity, and full sun.
6. Pikake
Botanical Name: Jasminum sambac
USDA Zones: 8-11
Pikake or Hawaiian Peacock Jasmine is a popular flower in Hawaii. This plant can be grown as a trailing vine or shrub.
It flowers throughout the year in frost-free zones though it blossoms profusely in summer. The flowers are available in cream or chalk-white shades.
Grow pikake jasmine in full sunlight. Mist the plant and leaves daily.
7. Ilima
Botanical Name: Sida fallax
USDA Zones: 10-11
Ilima or ‘Black Coral’ can be found in the forests of O’ahu and Kaua’i. Some coastal varieties feature velvet-like soft hairs, while the few mountain types have a pointed apex. The plant produces a five-petal flower in yellow to orange shade.
Plant Ilima flower in full sun and avoid overwatering.
8. Red Ginger
Botanical Name: Alpinia purpurata
The plant is perfect for the climatic conditions in South Florida, as the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. The floral bracts consist of pink, red, and white colors. It is one of the best Hawaiian flowers you can grow!
Plant ornamental Red Ginger plant in a moist, warm location in full sun or partial shade. Use mildly acidic soil with pH 6.0-6.5 amended with compost.
9. Anthurium
Botanical Name: Anthurium andraeanum
Anthuriums include more than 500 species and are available in red, purple, green, white, and pink shades. The leaf exhibits a glossy and waxy texture that may even look artificial!
Anthurium needs protection from direct sun and wind. Water the plant regularly but allow it to dry between watering.
Find the Anthurium Besseae Care Guide here
10. Passion Fruit Flower
Botanical Name: Passiflora edulis
USDA Zones: 9-12
In tropical and subtropical regions, passion fruit flower is grown commercially for its sweet fruit. It has a distinct floral shape with oblong green sepals and white petals that form a fringe with a purple base and five stamens.
It flowers in red, pink, white, purple, and blue color.
The passion fruit flower thrives well in well-drained, moist soil under full to partial shade.
11. Naupaka
Botanical Name: Scaevola taccada
Native to Hawaii, the Naupaka flower is prized for its unique shape and fragrance. The flower looks as if half of its portion is missing.
Two main varieties are available. One grows on beaches, and the other in the mountains. The female type is more fragrant than the male ‘beach’ variety.
The drought-tolerant Naupaka flourishes in full sun to light shade.
12. Protea
Botanical Name: Protea cynaroides
Also known as a honeypot, the plant is endemic to South Africa and was first planted in Hawaii in the 1970s.
The distinct-looking flower has a long vase life in floral arrangements surrounded by colorful bracts that range from deep crimson to creamy white. It is one of the best Hawaiian flowers you can grow!
It prefers hot and dry summer. Grow this plant in sandy, well-drained soil under a sunny spot with ample air circulation.
13. Kahili Ginger
Botanical Name: Hedychium gardnerianum
USDA Zones: 8-13
Kahili’s flowers are adorned with feathers and long flowing branches. The plant can grow up to 6-8 feet tall but remains small in containers. It has many common names, including Yellow Ginger Lily, Kahili Garland Lily, and Kahili Ginger.
Kahili ginger plant responds well in fertile, moist, well-draining soil. Mix potting soil with sand and peat moss for optimum growth.
Here’s a list of the best flowers that you can grow in Florida!
14. Uki Uki
Uki Uki is also called the Hawaiian Lily. Although the flowers are not ornamental, they look beautiful, with white to pale blue flowers against tall, slender leaves.
It can thrive well in both full sunlight and complete shade outdoors and indoors.
15. Nanu
Botanical Name: Gardenia brighamii
Hawaiian Gardenia is endemic to Hawaii and belongs to the Coffee family of Rubiaceae. With white fragrant flowers and dark green, ovate, glossy leaves, the plant can grow up to 15-16 feet.
It prefers to grow in full, bright sunlight when grown in cooler zones and filtered, light shade in hotter zones.
16. Kanawao
Botanical Name: Broussaisia arguta
Kanawao belongs to the Hydrangea family, which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. With showy flowers, it is a long-lived plant that can reach 15-20 feet and thrive best in higher elevations.
You should deeply water the soil 2-3 times weekly to promote root growth.
17. Pua Kala
Botanical Name: Argemone glauca
USDA Zones: 6-10
Pua Kala is also known as Beach Poppy, Prickly Poppy, and Hawaiian Poppy. The huge flowers are showy white with a bright yellow center and look gorgeous all year round against the waxy leaves.
Grow this flower in a spot that enjoys full sunlight for 5-8 hours daily and underwater sometimes to allow the roots to dry periodically.
18. Koʻoloaʻula
Botanical Name: Abutilon menziesii
With charming red, pink, purple, butter, salmon, and maroon-colored hibiscus-like flowers, it can be found in the dry forests of Hawaii Islands, O’ahu, Maui, and Lana’i.
Mist this flower daily to meet its humidity needs.
19. Molokai Ohaha
Botanical Name: Brighamia rockii
The Molokai Ohaha belongs to the Bellflower family and is endemic to Moloka’i Island. The trumpet-shaped, white, fragrant flowers look lovely against the shiny, green foliage in late fall.
Allow soil to dry slightly once every 10-12 days, and do not overwater.
Find out a List of the Best Australian Houseplants here
20. Hina Hina
Botanical Name: Geranium cuneatum
Hinahina, also called Silver Geranium, is commonly found in drier, open areas at higher altitudes. Each flower comprises five egg-shaped, narrow, white-to-yellowish petals with purple lines.
Choose a location that receives 5-8 hours of direct sunlight.
21. Mamane
Botanical Name: Sophora chrysophylla
Mamane is a small tree that can grow up to 40-50 feet and belongs to Fabaceae’s Pea and Bean family. The plant looks stunning, with golden-colored branches covered in bright yellow, pea-shaped flower clusters. It is one of the best Hawaiian flowers you can grow!
Add perlite or peat moss to the potting soil, or use cactus mix for best results.
22. Oahu Pilo Kea
Botanical Name: Platydesma cornuta
Oahu Pilo Kea, also known as Alani, is another endangered species from the Island of Oahu. The blooms begin in square-shaped, sturdy spiked green cases that open up into waxy, white, bell-shaped flowers on maturity.
Water it thoroughly every 2-4 days for the first 1-4 weeks after planting.
23. Ma’ohi’ohi
Botanical Name: Stenogyne microphylla
USDA Zones: 11-12
Its vine-like growing habit does not harm other plants and helps repel damaging grazers. The long, curved flowers are in shades of purple, white, and magenta that the Amakihi bird pollinates.
It needs slightly acidic soil; if your soil is not, add 1-2 teaspoons of Epsom salt once every 30-40 days.
24. Alulu
Botanical Name: Hillebrandia sandwicensis
Hawaii’s only known relic plant that survived from a primitive time, Alulu, belongs to the Begoniaceae family. The white or pink flowers bloom from February-June and are extinct on the Big Island.
It thrives best in hot and dry conditions under full sunlight.
25. Koki’o
Botanical Name: Kokia cookei
Koki’o, also called Moloka’i Treecotton, is one of the rarest plants in the world, with only 23 grafted plants alive. The plant produces red flowers that look like the Hibiscus.
Store the seeds in the refrigerator to save this almost extinct plant. Grow it in partial shade to full light.
Learn about the Native European Plants here
26. Hawaiian Iliau
Botanical Name: Wilkesia gymnoxiphium
Hawaiian Iliau belongs to the Sunflower family of Asterachea, endemic to Kaua’i Island. The plant blooms daisy-like, yellow flowers from May to July.
It is another Hawaiian flower listed as endangered and surely one of the unique Hawaiian flowers you can grow!
Keep the soil moist and provide 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.
27. Nehe
Botanical Name: Lipochaeta connata
USDA Zones: 7-11
Nehe, also known as Lipochaeta, belongs to the family of Daisy, which is endemic to Hawaii, particularly the Kaua’i and Ni’ihau Islands. The tiny daisy-like, yellow flowers with a green center bloom throughout the year.
Use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer once every six months for the best results.
28. Ohe ‘ohe
Botanical Name: Polyscias racemosa
USDA Zone: 8-11
Ohe ‘ohe, also called False Ohe, looks spectacular with small, pale yellow flowers hanging from the rope-like strands that the main straight trunk produces.
Do not feed this plant, and reduce the watering for 45-60 days in early Spring for the best growth.
29. Cosmosflower Beggarticks
Botanical Name: Bidens cosmoides
Cosmos flower Beggarticks is endemic to Kaua’i island and is one of the largest from the Bidens genus. The plant looks attractive against thick, long stamens with bright yellow-orange flowers and dark red throats.
It can grow well in medium-poor soil, with full sunlight and sufficient water, keeping it moist. Add a thin layer of mulch to conserve moisture.
30. Hawaiian Red Cranesbill
Botanical Name: Geranium Arboreum
An endangered specimen with only 50 plants alive, the Hawaiian Red Cranesbill belongs to Maui and can grow up to 10-13 feet in the wild.
The red to fuschia blooms look extraordinarily attractive with rough-edged leaves. It is one of the best Hawaiian flowers you can grow!
Protect your plant from the intense afternoon heat. Shear the spent blooms to prevent self-seeding and encourage more blooms.
Look at the Best Vines with Red Flowers here
- Lynn Barbaree
- July 29, 2022 At 12:04 am
- What is: Ola pua
- Reply
What is: Ola pua
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