Kokea Lau Li’i: A Treasured Native Hawaiian Shrub for Your Garden
If you’re looking to create an authentic Hawaiian landscape while supporting native biodiversity, kokea lau li’i (Myrsine sandwicensis) deserves a spot on your must-plant list. This charming endemic shrub might not be the flashiest plant in the garden center, but what it lacks in showiness, it more than makes up for in ecological value and quiet beauty.
What is Kokea Lau Li’i?
Kokea lau li’i, also known as kolea lau li’i, is a native Hawaiian shrub that belongs to the primrose family. As a perennial woody plant, this multi-stemmed beauty typically grows less than 13-16 feet tall, though it’s usually much more compact in garden settings. Its small leaves (hence lau li’i meaning small leaf) create a fine-textured, dense appearance that’s quite distinctive among Hawaiian natives.
Where Does It Grow?
This special plant is found exclusively in Hawaii, where it grows naturally across the island chain. As a true Hawaiian endemic, kokea lau li’i has evolved specifically for island conditions and plays an important role in native ecosystems.
A Plant That Needs Our Help
Here’s something important every gardener should know: kokea lau li’i has a Global Conservation Status of S3, meaning it’s considered vulnerable. With only an estimated 3,000 to 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild, this plant faces real threats to its survival. The good news? By growing it in our gardens, we can help ensure its future while enjoying its unique beauty.
Important: If you decide to plant kokea lau li’i, please source it only from reputable native plant nurseries that grow their stock from ethically collected seeds or cuttings. Never collect from wild populations.
Why Grow Kokea Lau Li’i?
Beyond its conservation value, this native shrub offers several practical benefits for Hawaiian gardeners:
- Authentic island landscaping: Perfect for creating genuine Hawaiian native gardens
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant
- Versatile placement: Its facultative wetland status means it can handle both drier and moister conditions
- Wildlife support: Small flowers attract native pollinators and insects
- Erosion control: Dense root system helps stabilize soil
- Privacy screening: Dense branching pattern creates natural barriers
Growing Conditions and Care
Kokea lau li’i is surprisingly adaptable for a vulnerable species. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10-12, making it perfect for Hawaii’s tropical and subtropical climate. Here’s what this hardy native prefers:
- Light: Partial shade to full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil (it doesn’t like soggy feet)
- Water: Regular watering until established, then quite drought tolerant
- Location: Protected from strong winds when young
Planting and Care Tips
Getting your kokea lau li’i established is straightforward with these simple steps:
- Plant in spring or early fall for best establishment
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper
- Water regularly for the first 6-12 months while roots develop
- Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the base
- Prune lightly to maintain shape if desired
- Once established, water deeply but infrequently
Perfect for Native Hawaiian Landscapes
This adaptable shrub works beautifully in various garden styles, particularly native Hawaiian landscapes, dry gardens, and coastal plantings. Its fine texture provides nice contrast against broader-leaved natives, and its compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces too.
The Bottom Line
Choosing to grow kokea lau li’i means you’re not just adding another plant to your garden – you’re participating in conservation efforts while creating habitat for native wildlife. Yes, you’ll need to source it responsibly due to its vulnerable status, but that small extra effort contributes to preserving Hawaii’s unique botanical heritage.
For gardeners committed to native plantings and ecological stewardship, kokea lau li’i offers the perfect combination of beauty, authenticity, and conservation value. It’s a quiet hero that deserves more recognition in Hawaiian gardens.
