Native plants for Honolulu County, Hawaii

528 native plants recorded in Honolulu County, Hawaii

The USDA plant database has 1,344 plants recorded growing wild in Honolulu County. 528 of them are native to the lower 48, and 614 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 63 wildflowers and herbs, 59 grasses and sedges, 182 shrubs, 26 low woody plants, 166 trees, 32 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 25 of them (5%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Hurricanegrass (Fimbristylis cymosa) is also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Honolulu County

Sun all day in Honolulu County: 24 rated natives

7 shrubs, 6 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 3 wildflowers and herbs, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Oahu riverhemp (Sesbania tomentosa) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Hawai'i desert-thorn (Lycium sandwicense) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Honolulu County: 24 rated natives

7 shrubs, 6 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 3 wildflowers and herbs, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
2. Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Oahu riverhemp (Sesbania tomentosa) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
8. Hawai'i desert-thorn (Lycium sandwicense) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Under trees in Honolulu County: 12 rated natives

5 grasses and sedges, 3 trees, 2 wildflowers and herbs, 1 low woody plants, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Naio (Myoporum sandwicense) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 15 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. Kawelu (Eragrostis variabilis) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · about 3 ft mature · perennial
7. Koa (Acacia koa) trees
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
8. 'ohi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · perennial

Heavy clay in Honolulu County: 14 rated natives

5 grasses and sedges, 3 shrubs, 3 trees, 2 wildflowers and herbs, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Hawai'ian cotton (Gossypium tomentosum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Mamani (Sophora chrysophylla) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · moderate growth · perennial
8. Hawai'i hawthorn (Osteomeles anthyllidifolia) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 12 ft mature · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Honolulu County: 16 rated natives

6 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 4 trees, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Oahu riverhemp (Sesbania tomentosa) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Hawai'ian cotton (Gossypium tomentosum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Honolulu County: 15 rated natives

6 shrubs, 4 trees, 3 grasses and sedges, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Oahu riverhemp (Sesbania tomentosa) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
2. Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
5. Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
6. Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
7. Hawai'ian cotton (Gossypium tomentosum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
8. Hawai'i desert-thorn (Lycium sandwicense) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Stays soggy in Honolulu County: 8 rated natives

4 grasses and sedges, 3 wildflowers and herbs, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
3. Common duckmeat (Spirodela polyrrhiza) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
4. Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 9 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
8. Longleaf pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Honolulu County has that most of Hawaii does not

166 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Hawaii's 5 counties. A few of them:

• Common duckmeat (Spirodela polyrrhiza): only here
• Greenflower Indian mallow (Abutilon sandwicense): only here
• Waianae Range alsinidendron (Alsinidendron obovatum): only here
• Mountain alsinidendron (Alsinidendron trinerve): only here
• Kokolau (Bidens amplectens): only here
• Koolau Range beggarticks (Bidens asymmetrica): only here
• Largefruit beggarticks (Bidens macrocarpa): only here
• Molokai beggarticks (Bidens molokaiensis): only here
• Oahu beggarticks (Bidens populifolia): only here
• Corkscrew beggarticks (Bidens torta): only here

Where to start in Honolulu County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Honolulu County gives you the most rated choice (24 plants), and Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 8 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 505 unrated natives too.