Native plants for Kauai County, Hawaii

459 native plants recorded in Kauai County, Hawaii

The USDA plant database has 1,113 plants recorded growing wild in Kauai County. 459 of them are native to the lower 48, and 496 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 58 wildflowers and herbs, 61 grasses and sedges, 141 shrubs, 19 low woody plants, 153 trees, 27 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 24 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 Kauai County

Sun all day in Kauai County: 23 rated natives

7 shrubs, 7 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants, 1 wildflowers and herbs. 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 Kauai County: 23 rated natives

7 shrubs, 7 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 wildflowers and herbs. 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 Kauai County: 11 rated natives

5 grasses and sedges, 3 trees, 1 low woody plants, 1 shrubs, 1 wildflowers and herbs. 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 Kauai County: 14 rated natives

6 grasses and sedges, 3 shrubs, 3 trees, 1 low woody plants, 1 wildflowers and herbs. 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. Star sedge (Carex echinata) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · perennial
8. Mamani (Sophora chrysophylla) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Kauai 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 Kauai 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 Kauai County: 7 rated natives

5 grasses and sedges, 1 shrubs, 1 wildflowers and herbs. The first 7, 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. 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. Star sedge (Carex echinata) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil
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

Natives Kauai County has that most of Hawaii does not

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

• Kuawawaenohu (Alsinidendron lychnoides): only here
• Climbing alsinidendron (Alsinidendron viscosum): only here
• Brown's amaranth (Amaranthus brownii): only here
• Kauai wormwood (Artemisia kauaiensis): only here
• Silverhair pineapplegrass (Astelia argyrocoma): only here
• Kauai pa'iniu (Astelia waialealae): only here
• Cosmosflower beggarticks (Bidens cosmoides): only here
• Coastal bluff beggarticks (Bidens forbesii): only here
• Mt. Kahili beggarticks (Bidens valida): only here
• Cabbage on a stick (Brighamia insignis): only here

Where to start in Kauai County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Kauai County gives you the most rated choice (23 plants), and Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 7 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 437 unrated natives too.