Hawaii is all about nature. From the pristine beaches and mountain views to the tropical fruits and plants that fill the Islands, there’s nothing more beautiful than the natural charm of the Islands. To truly incorporate the Hawaiian way of life into your home, it’s important to surround yourself with some of that natural beauty. Here are just a few of the tropical plants that look great in any Hawaiian home.
Hawaiian Hibiscus
Of course, the Hawaiian Hibiscus has to be first on the list because it’s the State flower of Hawaii! There are seven types of Hawaiian Hibiscus that are native to the Islands. They come in a multitude of colors and sizes, but every single one is as vibrant and beautiful as the next.
These flowers bloom daily, typically opening between 2 and 4pm and closing again around 9am. The flowers themselves can reach between 4-6 inches wide, while the shrub they grow on can reach heights of up to 15-feet. They’re perfect in a vase on your kitchen table or in the garden surrounding your home.
Bird of Paradise
There’s hardly a more unique flower to have in your home. The flower of the Bird of Paradise actually looks like the colorful head of a bird! The Bird of Paradise flower is originally native to South Africa but has flourished in the tropical climate of the Hawaiian Islands.
They don’t like cold weather under 50-degrees and need lots of sunlight, which is perfect for any flowerbed or garden in Hawaii.
Ti Plant
The Ti Plant is an evergreen plant that comes in a wide variety of colors, including pink, green, red, chocolate, orange or a combination of a few. Unlike most colorful plants, the Ti Plant rarely flowers. All the color is in the leaves.
When grown outside, they can reach heights of up to 13-feet-tall. Most people like to place them around outdoor walkways or driveways to add some interesting colors to the landscape. They also make great indoor plants.
Hawaiian Gardenia
The Hawaiian Gardenia can be grown as a large shrub or a small tree that can reach between 4- and 12-feet tall. It has small green leaves and produces 2-inch bright white flowers with yellow centers. In the wild, the Hawaiian Gardenia is extremely endangered – there are only about 10 plants left in the entire state – but domesticated Gardenias are a popular choice for homes and gardens.
In Hawaii, they can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor Gardenias are typically grown as a shrub. Indoor Gardenias are usually trimmed to resemble a small tree with a rounded canopy. Either way, it’s hard to match their beauty.
Pikake
Outside of Hawaii, this popular flowering plant is known as Indian Jasmine. In Hawaii, it’s called Pikake, which is Hawaiian for peacock. Pikake is famous for its large, cream-colored flowers that are popularly used to make leis. The flowers grow on a small shrub that’s typically around 2-3 feet wide and can reach 6-feet tall.
Not only are Pikake flowers beautiful, they’re also some of the best smelling flowers in the world. Plant them around your house for a truly intoxicating aroma year-round. The best part: they’re drought resistant! Even the most neglectful gardeners won’t have trouble keeping them alive.
Find a Hawaiian Home to Decorate
Now that you know how to decorate your hypothetical slice of paradise, it’s time to make it a reality! There are plenty of homesites and existing houses available all over the Kailua-Kona area. If you’re ready to start searching for your tropical dream-home, give me a call at 808.209.6244 or send an email to RandyRipley808@gmail.com. There’s something here for everyone.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.