Hibiscus waimeae

Common Names

Koki'o Ke'oke'o, Koki'o Kea, White Kauai Rosemallow, Kauai White Hibiscus, Hawaiian White Hibiscus

Summary

Endemic to Kauaʻi, this Hawaiian native grows as a small tree or shrub with gray bark and leaves that are green above and velvety gray beneath, reaching about 6 to 10 m tall; it bears large, pure white, strongly fragrant flowers that open in the morning, last a day, and fade to pink by afternoon, occurring in moist forests at elevations of 250 to 1,200 m (roughly 800 to 3,900 ft), with two subspecies, ssp. waimeae and ssp. hannerae, the latter federally endangered.

Propagation is by seeds and cuttings, with seeds germinating in 3 to 9 days; seeds are in tough capsules containing fuzzy brown seeds, and hand pollination after pod removal helps maintain true-to-type seedlings; cuttings 4 to 6 inches long can be rooted with rooting hormone, and air layering or grafting are possible; landscape uses include ornamental, hedge, or specimen plant, and flowers are used in leis and hair adornments; it tolerates wind and drought and prefers well-drained soil, with care including avoiding overwatering and monitoring for aphids and whiteflies.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

20-33 feet

Spread

8-10 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 14-15

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial sun to full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Year-round with a brief break at the end of winter.

Foliage Color

Light green upper surface; grayish underside.

Fall Foliage Color

Light green, Medium green, Dark green

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons; year-round bloom with brief pauses in winter and cooler periods.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Air layering, Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts native birds and insects