Best Hawaiian Indoor Plants

Bring the Aloha Home: The Best Hawaiian Indoor Plants

Bring the Aloha Home: The Best Hawaiian Indoor Plants

The lush, tropical flora of Hawaii includes some uniquely stunning specimens perfect for growing as houseplants. Certain Hawaiian indoor plants not only survive but thrive indoors, bringing a bit of island paradise to your home or office.

In this guide, we’ll cover the top Hawaiian houseplants along with growing tips to help them flourish. Say goodbye to boring ferns and philodendrons – these exotic beauties will have your guests doing a double take. Let’s get started bringing the aloha home through these sensational Hawaiian indoor plants.

Here’s a quick look at some favorite easy-care Hawaiian-native indoor plants:

  • Bird of Paradise – Dramatic orange/blue flowers atop lush foliage.
  • Anthurium – Glossy, heart-shaped leaves in red, pink or white.
  • Orchids – Elegant sprays of vibrant blooms.
  • Bromeliads – Pineapple-like rosettes with colorful bracts.
  • Ti plants – Tropical-looking wide green leaves.
  • Crotons – Colorfully variegated leaves.
  • Hala Pepe – Round, juicy foliage.
  • Angel Wing Begonias – The cascades of eye-catching flowers.

Beyond just survival, these plants can thrive indoors with proper care. Let’s explore growing each stunning Hawaiian houseplant.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of paradise flower(Strelitzia)

The bird of paradise’s unmistakable flowers make it a bold indoor choice. Here’s how to grow it successfully:

  • Light – Bright light to the part sun is ideal. Southern or western windows are preferred.
  • Water – Allow soil to partly dry out between thorough soakings. Mist leaves occasionally.
  • Temperature – Average room temperatures between 60-80°F are optimal. Avoid drafts.
  • Size – Grows up to 6 feet tall indoors. Consider smaller varieties like ‘Dwarf Orange’.
  • Soil – Well-draining but moisture-retentive soil. Fertilize monthly during growth.
  • Flowers – Orange/blue blooms occur on mature plants. Enjoy the striking foliage until then.

Give this pick a spacious spot with sufficient lighting to achieve that signature tropical look.

Hawaiian Anthurium

Hawaiian Anthurium

Anthurium produces lush dark green leaves topped with colorful heart-shaped blooms:

  • Light – Thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which scorches leaves.
  • Water – Prefers consistently moist soil. Mist leaves often for humidity.
  • Temperature – Ideal between 70-90°F. Protect from cold drafts.
  • Size – Typically grows 12-36” tall and wide. Compact varieties are available.
  • Soil – Well-draining potting mix. Feed monthly during growth with all-purpose fertilizer.
  • Flowers – Long-lasting waxy red, pink, white, purple, or bicolor blooms.

Give anthurium a warm spot with humidity and bright filtered sunlight for those tropical flowers.

Orchids

orchids indoor plants

Hawaii boasts over 110 orchid species. For indoor growing try:

  • Light – Bright, indirect light. Avoid hot direct sun which burns leaves.
  • Water – Soak thoroughly then let dry out between waterings. Maintain high humidity.
  • Temperature – Warm above 60°F but below 90°F ideal.
  • Size – Sprays reach 12-36” high depending on the type. Compact varieties are suitable.
  • Soil – Special orchid potting mix. Feed weekly 1⁄4 strength fertilizer.
  • Flowers – Long-lasting sprays in vibrant colors. Phalaenopsis and Mokara are the best indoor bloomers.

Provide orchids with warm temperatures, indirect light, and humidity for exotic flowering displays indoors.

Bromeliads

bromeliads plant

Known for their pineapple-like form, bromeliads adapt well to houseplants:

  • Light – Bright, indirect light. Several hours of sun are ideal.
  • Water – Keep central cup/reservoirs full. Mist often for humidity.
  • Temperature – Thrive in temperatures between 60-80°F.
  • Size – Typically 1-3 ft in diameter depending on species.
  • Soil – Orchid mixes or fast-draining potting soil.
  • Flowers – Vibrantly colored central stalks surrounded by foliage rosette.

For vibrant blooms, provide bromeliads with high humidity, bright light, and a fast-draining potting medium.

Hawaiian Ti Plant

Hawaiian Ti Plant

Ti plants flaunt large, tropical-looking foliage indoors:

  • Light – Does best in bright, indirect light. Tolerates low light.
  • Water – Allow soil to partly dry out between waterings. Mist leaves.
  • Temperature – Average room temperatures from 65-80°F ideal.
  • Size – Grows 2-5 ft tall and wide. Compact cultivars are available.
  • Soil – Rich, fertile soil that drains well. Feed monthly during growth.
  • Flowers – Clusters of small white flowers bloom in summer.

Give the plants a balanced fertilizer and bright indirect light to grow those iconic enormous leaves.

Croton

croton plant care

For wildly colorful foliage, grow croton indoors:

  • Light – Bright light to partial sun to develop leaf colors.
  • Water – Allow to slightly dry out between waterings. Mist leaves.
  • Temperature – Thrive in temperatures from 60-80°F.
  • Size – Typically grows to 2-4 ft tall. Compact varieties are available.
  • Soil – Rich, well-draining potting mix. Feed monthly from spring through fall.
  • Flowers – Can bloom small white/yellow flowers. Grown for dramatic leaves.

Give Croton plenty of light for the vivid yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, and greens to shine.

Hala Pepe

Dracaena halapepe

Also called Hawaiian sweet potato, Hala pepe grows well indoors:

  • Light – Does well in low to medium indirect light. Tolerates shade.
  • Water – Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Prefers moderate moisture.
  • Temperature – Thrives between 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
  • Size – Trailing vines grow several feet long. Trunk varieties are compact.
  • Soil – Rich, well-draining potting mix. Feed every 2-3 weeks during growth.
  • Flowers – Rarely flowers indoors. Grown for lush trailing foliage.

Hala people’s tolerance of low light makes it perfect for dim corners or offices.

Hawaiian Begonia

Hawaiian Begonia

Hawaiian angel wing begonias add mounds of blooms indoors:

  • Light – Does well in medium to bright indirect light. Avoid hot sun.
  • Water – Keep soil consistently moist. Mist leaves Here is the continuation of the article:

frequently for humidity.

  • Temperature – Prefers warm conditions between 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
  • Size – Grows 1-2 ft tall and wide in cascading mounds.
  • Soil – Rich, well-draining potting mix. Feed every 2-4 weeks during growth.
  • Flowers – Profuse flowers in pink, red, white, or orange. Blooms spring through fall.

Give begonias humid conditions and bright indirect light to encourage prolific blooming.

Tips for Growing Hawaiian Plants Indoors

Here are some general tips to help Hawaiian plants thrive as houseplants:

  • Provide high humidity – Mist leaves, use pebble trays, or use a humidifier to create the tropical humidity they prefer.
  • Bright indirect light – While a few tolerate low light, most prefer bright filtered sunlight from an east or west window.
  • Warm temperatures – Maintain indoor temperatures between 65-80°F which mimics their native tropical climate.
  • Well-draining soil – Use an orchid mix or incorporate perlite into potting soil to create the free drainage they need.
  • Water thoroughly – Allow soil to partly dry out between waterings, then soak again. Many prefer slightly moist soil.
  • Fertilize regularly – Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during active growth periods.

Mimicking the warmth, humidity, and rain forests of Hawaii helps them flourish in your home as they would in their natural environment.

Where to Buy Hawaiian Plants for Indoors

You can often find Hawaiian indoor plants at:

  • Local nurseries – Ask which native Hawaiian varieties they carry for indoor growing.
  • Big box stores – Stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock Hawaiian mainstays like orchids and bromeliads.
  • Florists – Many carry popular Hawaiian varieties like anthurium and orchids.
  • Online sellers – Retailers like Amazon, Etsy, and specialty sites ship Hawaiian plants nationwide.

Check for sellers who propagate the plants locally in Hawaii for maximum authenticity. Purchasing plants grown in Hawaii helps support Hawaiian farmers and small businesses.

Enjoy the Tropics at Home

Add an exotic touch of paradise to your indoor space by growing these magnificent Hawaiian native plants. Their lush tropical look and often colorful blooms or foliage make them conversation-starting statement pieces.

While native to steamy Hawaiian rainforests, their ability to adapt makes growing Hawaiian plants indoors very achievable. With the right care mimicking the humidity, light levels, temperatures, moisture, and fertility of their ancestral homes, you can recreate a mini Hawaii anywhere.

Let these suggestions inspire you to find the perfect Hawaiian specimens to transport your indoor garden to the tropics. Your home will feel a bit more like an island oasis.