Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

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Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Non-profit garden focused on the conservation of Native Hawaiian & Polynesian-introduced plants.

Mahalo to the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Department of Parks & Recreation, and our faithful volunteers.

WEEKLY PLANT SALENew plants for sale this week:• ʻIhi (Portulaca lutea) 4 inch pot for $5.• ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros p...
10/15/2026

WEEKLY PLANT SALE

New plants for sale this week:
• ʻIhi (Portulaca lutea) 4 inch pot for $5.
• ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha var. incana) 1 gallon pot for $25. This variety was grown from cuttings and has only red flowers. It is pictured in the below graphic.

Still get:
• Schiedea globosa (Globe Schiedea) 4 inch pot for $6.
• Awapuhi (Zingiber zerumbet). 1 gallon pot for $12, or 5 for $48.
• Uhi (Dioscorea alata). 6 inch pot for $6.
• ʻUlu Maoli (Artocarpus altilus). 1 gallon pot for $35.

The plant sale goes live this Thursday! You can reserve plants by:
• Calling us at (808) 249-2798
• Sending us a DM on Instagram or Facebook*
• Visiting us in person at the garden.

We will hold reserved plants for one week; pick up and pay anytime Tuesday through Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. We take all forms of payment.

*On social media messages, please include:
• Your name
• Your phone number
• What you would like to purchase

Plant sales and giveaways are for local residents only. We do not ship plant materials of any kind. For the weekly plant sale, we are unable to reserve plants by email.

Donʻt see what you are looking for?
If you are looking for plants not listed this week, contact our Plant Sales Manager, Chris Davella, by phone 808-276-4911 or email [email protected].

The weedy pigweed (P. oleracea) looks nearly identical to the native ʻihi (P. lutea), but there are ways to tell them ap...
10/15/2026

The weedy pigweed (P. oleracea) looks nearly identical to the native ʻihi (P. lutea), but there are ways to tell them apart. Forest and Kim Starr's Botanical Survey of Laysan (https://tinyurl.com/2mwuy2xs)in 2013 and Wagner et. all 1999 provided these tips.

Hawaiian name: KaluhāBotanical name: Bolboschoenus maritimus ssp. paludosusFamily: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)Status: Indi...
10/13/2026

Hawaiian name: Kaluhā
Botanical name: Bolboschoenus maritimus ssp. paludosus
Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
Status: Indigenous
Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu, Ni‘ihau & Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Wet, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: Below 150 feet (Coastal)
Height: Up to 5 feet, with a 2 foot spread

Kaluhā grows at the edge of natural water features such as ponds, lakes and shorelines, and thrives in fresh or brackish water. This hardy sedge can tolerate various conditions; from being completely submerged in water to periods of drought. Kaluhā is excellent for reconstructing natural Hawaiian wetlands and provides a source of food and shelter for our native waterfowl. The roots form a thick interwoven mass that helps control soil erosion in wetlands. Medicinally, kaluhā has been used to treat ocean bites and stings. In other parts of the world the leaves are used in making baskets, mats, sandals, and clothing.

*Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Hawaiian name: KīpūkaiBotanical name: Heliotropium curassavicumFamily: Boraginaceae (Borage family)Status: IndigenousWhe...
10/12/2026

Hawaiian name: Kīpūkai
Botanical name: Heliotropium curassavicum
Family: Boraginaceae (Borage family)
Status: Indigenous
Where found: All Hawaiian Islands
Water/Light: Dry to wet, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: 0 to 150 feet
Height: 1 foot, with a 4 foot spread

Kīpūkai is tolerant of drought, wind, salt and heat; allowing it to thrive in most any coastal landscape. Those naturally growing in wetter locations have greener leaves, while those in drier areas have a bluish cast to their leaves. Newly formed kīpūkai flowers are tiny and pure white. In time, the flowers form yellow to greenish-yellow centers, while older flowers feature light to dark purple centers. In ancient Hawai‘i, kīpūkai was dried and brewed as a tea.

*Photo courtesy of Jupiter Nielsen

Hawaiian name: Koki‘o ‘ulaBotanical name: Hibiscus clayiFamily: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)Status: Endemic, EndangeredWher...
10/09/2026

Hawaiian name: Koki‘o ‘ula
Botanical name: Hibiscus clayi
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Status: Endemic, Endangered
Where found: Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Dry, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: 650 to 1,050 feet
Height: Up to 25 feet, with a 5 foot spread

Koki‘o ‘ula is native to Eastern Kaua‘i and has thin petaled, bright to deep red flowers, with shiny green leaves. The flowers are constantly in bloom, making them great for lei making. Koki‘o ‘ula is quite compact compared to other native hibiscus, and is an excellent choice for use in landscapes with limited space. Koki‘o ‘ula is drought tolerant.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Arbor Day 2026We’re looking for volunteers to help us get ready for Arbor Day and make event day a su...
10/09/2026

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Arbor Day 2026

We’re looking for volunteers to help us get ready for Arbor Day and make event day a success!

We need help on:

Wednesday, Nov 4th
Thursday, Nov 5th
Friday, Nov 6th
Saturday, Nov 7

Short shifts available, and lunch will be provided. Support Maui residents in planting more trees!

Sign up via the link in our bio or visit https://tinyurl.com/bb6ypppk

Hawaiian name: Kaluaha (Paʻiniu)Botanical name: Astelia menziesianaFamily: AsteliaceaeStatus: EndemicWhere found: Maui, ...
10/08/2026

Hawaiian name: Kaluaha (Paʻiniu)
Botanical name: Astelia menziesiana
Family: Asteliaceae
Status: Endemic
Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu & Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Moist, with partial sunlight
Elevation range: 2,000 to 7,500 feet
Height: 1 to 6 feet, with an up to 4 foot spread

Kaluaha is a favored food of wild pigs. Because of this, they are more likely to be seen out of reach, nestled in trees. Kaluaha is important to the survival of the endemic Kō‘ele Mountain damselfly, or pinao ‘ula. Adult pinao ‘ula breed and deposit their eggs in the leaf bases of kaluaha, where water pockets collect. Pinao ‘ula nymphs live to maturity in these tiny spaces. Early Hawaiians used the silvery leaves of kaluaha to make beautiful lei. Hats were also braided from the shiny outer leaves. Kaluaha has very low tolerance for salt or windy conditions.

*Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

WEEKLY PLANT SALENew plants for sale this week:• Schiedea globosa (Globe Schiedea) 4 inch pot for $6.• ʻIlima papa (Sida...
10/08/2026

WEEKLY PLANT SALE

New plants for sale this week:
• Schiedea globosa (Globe Schiedea) 4 inch pot for $6.
• ʻIlima papa (Sida fallax) 3 inch pot for $5.

Still get:
• Awapuhi (Zingiber zerumbet). 1 gallon pot for $12, or 5 for $48.
• Uhi (Dioscorea alata). 6 inch pot for $6.
• ʻUlu Maoli (Artocarpus altilus). 1 gallon pot for $35.
• ʻUlu Puou (Artocarpus altilus). 1 gallon pot for $35.

The plant sale goes live this Thursday! You can reserve plants by:
• Calling us at (808) 249-2798
• Sending us a DM on Instagram or Facebook*
• Visiting us in person at the garden.

We will hold reserved plants for one week; pick up and pay anytime Tuesday through Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. We take all forms of payment.

*On social media messages, please include:
• Your name
• Your phone number
• What you would like to purchase

Plant sales and giveaways are for local residents only. We do not ship plant materials of any kind. For the weekly plant sale, we are unable to reserve plants by email.

Donʻt see what you are looking for?
If you are looking for plants not listed this week, contact our Plant Sales Manager, Chris Davella, by phone 808-276-4911 or email [email protected].

84% of Schiedea are endangered, of the 37 endemic Schiedea in Hawaiʻi. At least 4 are extinct. Most are single island en...
10/08/2026

84% of Schiedea are endangered, of the 37 endemic Schiedea in Hawaiʻi. At least 4 are extinct. Most are single island endemics. Schiedea globosa is one of two of this Hawaiian genera that occur on multiple islands. The long lasting flowers have strong stems and a honey butter smell, making them valuable for lei making. Although the range map (https://tinyurl.com/zankkdud)shows this Schiedea globosa as coastal, it occurs naturally at higher elevations and is grown upcountry in cultivation.

Hawaiian Name: HōleiBotanical Name: Ochrosia haleakalaeFamily: Apocynaceae (Plumeria family)Status: Endemic, EndangeredW...
10/07/2026

Hawaiian Name: Hōlei
Botanical Name: Ochrosia haleakalae
Family: Apocynaceae (Plumeria family)
Status: Endemic, Endangered
Where found: Maui & Hawai‘i
Water/Light: Dry, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: 2,300 to over 3,900 feet
Height: up 30 feet, with an up to 8 foot spread

Hōlei flowers have a fragrance similar to the non-native local favorite, plumeria, and can be made into beautiful lei. Early Hawaiians used the bark, stems and roots of hōlei to produce a yellow dye for kapa. Medicinally, the nuts mixed with other plants, were chewed and given to infants for general debility. The bark and leaves were also used medicinally in steam baths. Hōlei is drought tolerant once established.

*Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Address

150 Kanaloa Avenue
Kahului, HI
96732

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+18082492798

Website

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