Last updated: March 3, 2026
This is a "starter" list of native plants for Hawaii. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
Hawaii Trees
Common Name
Scientific Name
Sun
Moisture
Height
Comments
Broom Sedge
Andropogon virginicus
F-P
D-W
4'
Green leaves/stems turn purple & bright orange in fall
Tussock Sedge
Carex stricta
F-P
A-W
2-3'
Evergreen; blue flowers dissappear quickly; likes full sun
Three-way Sedge
Dulichium arundinaceum
F-P
W
1-2'
Will thrive in up to 2" standing water; resembles bambo
Squarestem Spikerush
Eleocharis quadrangulata
F-P
W
24"
4-sided stems; wetland plant
Virginia Wild Rye
Elymus virginicus
P-S
D-A
3'
Distinguished by relatively stiff, erect spikes
Purple Love Grass
Eragrostis spectabilis
F
A
18-24"
Fluffy clouds of bronze-red inflorescences summer/fall
Canada Rush
Juncus canadensis
F-P
A-W
3'
Rapid growth; green foliage & flower
Smooth Rush
Juncus effusus
F-P
A-W
3'
Bright green cylindrical stems without nodes, no leaves
Switch Panic Grass
Panicum virgatum
F-P
D-W
4-6'
Bluish cast in summer; reddish fall color
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
F-P
D-A
2-4'
Bright green to light blue leaves turn copper, orange
Cottongrass Bulrush
Scirpus cyperinus
F
W-A
3-5'
Clumping grass-like perennial; wooly seed heads in fall
Yellow Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
F-P
A-D
3-6'
Foliage varies from drooping & green to upright and blue
Hawaii Shrubs
Common Name
Scientific Name
Sun
Moisture
Height
Comments
Ewa Hinahina
Achyranthes splendens
2-6'
Small, silvery grey-green shrub.
Maile
Alyxia oliviformis
F-P
D-A
Small flowers represent the 4 mythic Maile sisters of hula.
'Anapanapa
Colubrina asiatica
3-10'
Tough. Can be vine-like. Wind- and salt-tolerant.
'A'ali'i
Dodonaea viscosa
Wind-tolerant. Round. Bright red seeds.
Ma'o
Gossypium tomentosum
1.5-5'
Bright yellow flowers year-round.
Ma'o Hau Hele
Hibiscus brackenridgei
D
3-15'
Hawaiian state flower. Large yellow flowers.
Naio
Myoporum sandwicense
D
Smells of sandalwood. Conspicuous flowers.
'Ulei
Osteomeles anthyllidifolia
White, fragrant blossoms. Round fruit.
Beach Naupaka
Scaevola sericea
3-10'
Dense, spreading. White/cream colored fragrant flowers.
'Ilima
Sida fallax
5-10'
Popular lei flowers.
Pohinahina
Vitex rotundifolia
Drought-tolerant. Hardy. Velvety, silvery leaves.
Hawaii Flowering Perennials
Common Name
Scientific Name
Comments
Nehe
Lipochaeta integrifolia
Small, sprawling plant with small yellow flowers.
'Uki 'Uki
Dianella sandwicensis
Durable plant with purple berries used for dye.
Hawaii Perennial Ferns
Common Name
Scientific Name
Comments
Pala Palai
Microlepia strigosa
Used in ceremonies and in making leis.
'Ama'u
Sadleria pallida
2'-3' fronds change color with age.
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Drought Tolerance
F = Full Sun
W = Wet
E = Excellent
P = Part Sun
A = Average
G = Good
S = Shade
D = Dry
M = Moderate
P = Poor
Looking for a nursery that carries native Hawaii plants?
Browse our native plant nursery directory: Hawaii
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