- 14 Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Hawaii\u00a0<\/a>
- 1. Ilima Papa (Sida fallax)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Pauohiiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia ssp. sandwicensis)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Akia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi)<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia)<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Ukiuki (Dianella sandwicensis)<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Hinahina (Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum)<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Iliee (Plumbago zeylanica)<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Nanea (Vigna marina)<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Aeae (Bacopa monnieri)<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Akulikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum)<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Golden Glory (Arachis pintoi)<\/a><\/li>
- 12. Kupukupu (Nephrolepis cordifolia)<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Red Ivy (Hemigraphis alternata)<\/a><\/li>
- 14. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Pros and Cons of Choosing Ground Covers<\/a><\/li>
- How to Choose the Right Ground Cover for Your Hawaii Yard<\/a><\/li>
- Planting Ground Covers in Hawaii in Five Simple Steps<\/a><\/li>
- Ground Cover Maintenance in Hawaii<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
14 Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Hawaii <\/h2>
Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance lawn alternative<\/a> or a creeping plant to fill space in your garden, these ground covers are your best bet for growing in Hawaii. <\/p>
1. Ilima Papa (Sida fallax<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Ilima](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ilima-Papa-Sida-fallax.jpg\")
Photo Credit: youli zhao<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Ilima papa is a famous star since it bears the island flower of Oahu – a hibiscus-shaped beauty, in bright yellow to orange shades, that shines in the mass of green leaves. The petals are edible and often used as exotic salad decorations.<\/p>
A shrub with a spreading growth habit, ilima papa has unique resilience to harsh conditions. Strong winds, salt spray, drought, intense heat – none of it keeps this hardy ground cover from thriving.<\/p>
- Other common names:<\/strong> Ilima Ku Kahakai, ground cover ilima.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 2 to 4 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade.<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Plant ilima papa in well-drained, non-clay soil. <\/li>
- Tolerant of:<\/strong> Salt spray, wind, and drought.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong>
— Avoid overwatering. Irrigate by soaking the soil and letting it dry completely before applying water again.
— Trim the shrubs<\/a> to encourage branching and keep the plants confined to the growing area.<\/li> <\/ul>2. Pauohiiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia ssp. sandwicensis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Pauohiiaka](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Pauohiiaka-Jacquemontia-ovalifolia-ssp.-sandwicensis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Pauohiiaka hugs the soil in dense mats of small, thick, light-green leaves. From December to July, it explodes in bunches of white to pale blue flowers. Where its stem nodes touch the ground, roots grow. They form a dense, deep network that keeps soil in place, fighting erosion<\/a>. It also gives the plant unbelievable wind resistance. <\/p>
This crawling vine is a coastal native that tolerates brackish water and salt spray. It can also withstand drought and heat, making an attractive ground cover to replace seashore paspalum and Zoysiagrass.<\/p>
- Other common names:<\/strong> Kakuaohi’iaka, Kaupo’o, P\u0101’\u016bohi’iaka.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>2 to 4 inches tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade.<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>It thrives in sandy, coral, and cinder soil with good drainage.<\/li>
- Tolerant of:<\/strong> Wind, salt spray, irrigation with brackish water, and mild droughts.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>
— Allow to dry between waterings.
— Prune growing points to encourage branching and keep the plants confined to their growing area.<\/li> <\/ul>Where to buy reliable pruning shears:<\/strong><\/p>
\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmazon<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome Depot<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLowe’s<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>3. Akia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Akia](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Akia-Wikstroemia-uva-ursi.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Akia is a native ground cover that thrives in the windy coastal areas of Hawaii. It grows on dry ridges, open hillsides, and across ‘a’a lava<\/a> areas on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui.<\/p>
This sprawling shrub fits best along walkways, around patios, and near home walls. It\u2019s fragrant and good-looking, with yellow, gray, or reddish-brown branches. Akia flowers bloom light green to bright yellow, filling the evening air with an exotic musk-like aroma. <\/p>
Consider it for the dry areas in your yard and if you plan to xeriscape your garden.<\/a> Akia comes with low water requirements and a high drought tolerance.<\/p>
- Other common names: <\/strong>Kauhi, Molokai osmanthus, fish poison plant, hillside false \u02bb\u014dhelo.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 6 to 36 inches tall and 2 to 5 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements:<\/strong> Full sun.<\/li>
- Tolerant of: <\/strong>Salt spray, wind, and drought.<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>It grows on various soil but prefers well-drained.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>
— Water established Akia once or twice a month in dry periods.
— Trim only to shape or encourage branching.<\/li> <\/ul>4. Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Pohinahina](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Pohinahina-Vitex-rotundifolia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: undefined undefined<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Pohinahina is a fragrant shrub that can bring the forest’s fresh scent into your backyard. It doesn\u2019t look like a fir tree, but its gray-green to silver leaves carry that Christmasy scent mixed with notes of sage and mint.<\/p>
You can grow it as an accent plant, ground cover, or hedge. It thrives in containers and hanging baskets on the porch or indoors. When it blooms, small, light blue to purple flowers fill the branches. <\/p>
- Other common names:<\/strong> Kolokolo kahakai, Hinahina kolo, Mawanawana, Polinalina, Beach vitex.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 2 to 5 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, depending on variety. <\/li>
- Light requirements:<\/strong> Full sun. It becomes leggy in the shade.<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>It grows in well-drained clay, sand, or cinder soils.<\/li>
- Tolerant of:<\/strong> Wind, salt spray, and drought.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong>
— Prune regularly to keep its shape and to encourage new growth.
— Once established, water only during prolonged drought. <\/li> <\/ul>5. Ukiuki (Dianella sandwicensis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Ukiuki](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ukiuki-Dianella-sandwicensis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David Eickhoff<\/a> from Pearl City, Hawaii, USA \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Ukiuki grows naturally across the Hawaiian islands in dry shrublands and forests. Year-round, it blooms tiny, white to blue flowers that turn into blue berry-like fruits. But the foliage is its top attraction. It has iris-like, long, light green leaves forming rich, ruffled clumps \u2013 elegant and wild at the same time. <\/p>
Landscapers often use it as an understory for ground covers, shrubs, and trees. You can also plant it along walkways or make it an accent plant in a yard with a classic turfgrass lawn.<\/p>
- Other common names:<\/strong> \u2018Uki\u2018uki, Uki, Hawaiian Dianella, and Hawaiian lily.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>1 to 2.5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements<\/strong>: Full sun to part shade.<\/li>
- Tolerant of:<\/strong> Standing water, drought, salt spray, and wind.<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> It can grow in various soils but requires good drainage.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong>
— Divide the clumps periodically.
— Remove brown leaves and spent flowers to keep a neat look in your garden.
— Water once or twice a week, depending on rainfall.<\/li> <\/ul>6. Hinahina (Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Hinahina](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Hinahina-Heliotropium-anomalum-var.-argenteum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David Eickhoff<\/a> from Pearl City, Hawaii, USA \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A beautiful, succulent groundcover, hinahina looks great in xeriscape designs and rock gardens<\/a>. It has light green, grey, or silvery leaves that grow in rosettes and change their shade with the weather. Plant it on a black cinder or rocky topsoil. It’s where its huddling leaves contrast their colors the best. <\/p>
Hinahina crawls on rocks and mounds, making an ideal option for less leveled yards. Could you enjoy it in your coastal garden? Or in a dryer yard with a leeward location? Yes, and yes! It’s a low-maintenance native with excellent salt and drought tolerance, perfect for yards in Paia, Lahaina, or Kailua.<\/p>
- Other common names: <\/strong>Hinahina ku kahakai, Nohonohopuuone, Pohinahina, Polynesian heliotrope, and Pacific heliotrope.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>2 to 6 inches tall and 2 to 4 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements: <\/strong>Full sun. It thrives in south or west-facing gardens.<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Hinahina thrives in sandy soil with good drainage. If you plant it in pots, use a soil mix with crushed coral, cinder, and sand.<\/li>
- Tolerant of: <\/strong>Wind, salt spray, brackish water, heat, and drought.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong>
— Hinahina benefits from occasional drenching with seawater (do this only if you have salt-tolerant plants around it or grow it in pots).
— Water only when the plant shows signs of drought.<\/li> <\/ul>7. Iliee (Plumbago zeylanica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Iliee](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Iliee-Plumbago-zeylanica.jpg\")
Photo Credit: yogesh_more<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Iliee is native to the arid dunes and dry forests across the Hawaiian islands. Its deep, dense roots stabilize the soil, making it a drought-tolerant, wind-proof, robust ground cover. Above the ground, iliee spreads thin, soft green leaves in airy tufts. This one is a bloomer. Its green halo is covered in showy, star-shaped white flowers you’ll enjoy year-round.<\/p>
- Other common names:<\/strong> Hiliee, Ilieo, Ilihee, Lauhihi, white leadwort, and wild leadwort.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>1 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 15 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade. It flowers less in the shadier areas.<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Prefers well-drained sand, cinder, and organic soils.<\/li>
- Tolerant of: <\/strong>High heat, drought, and wind.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong>
— Prune periodically to keep it in its vegetation space and promote branching.
— It looks best with regular irrigation during the summer but tolerates moderate drought. <\/li> <\/ul>8. Nanea (Vigna marina<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Nanea](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Nanea-Vigna-marina.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Nanea is a low-growing vine perfect for beachfront properties. It thrives in well-drained soil, tolerates salt spray, and grows best in sunny areas.<\/p>
Though it often covers the ground in diamond-like leaves, nanea can climb on trellises<\/a> and fences. Grown on a vertical structure, it forms dense green natural walls. You can use it for privacy or to enhance the look of your patio and home walls. <\/p>
Pea-like bright yellow flowers add to its charm, though some don’t enjoy the peas that follow them as fruit. <\/p>
- Other common names:<\/strong> Lemuomakili, Mohihihi, Nenea, Okolemakili, Puhili, Wahine omao, Beach pea, Notched cowpea<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 6 to 8 inches tall and 5 to 15 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade.<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Grows in well-drained, sandy, cinder, coral, or organic soils.<\/li>
- Tolerant of:<\/strong> Wind, salt, heat, and drought.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>
— Irrigate weekly during dry weather, but allow the soil to dry between two sessions.
— A fast-growing, resourceful vine, nanea needs pruning periodically to keep into its own space.<\/li> <\/ul>Where to buy beautiful trellises for nanea to climb:<\/strong><\/p>
\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmazon<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWalmart<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome Depot<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>9. Aeae (Bacopa monnieri<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Aeae](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Aeae-Bacopa-monnieri.jpg\")
Photo Credit: skymoon13<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> With a garden on the windward side of the islands, you need plants that do well in wet areas. Aeae is the perfect low-maintenance ground cover to use. It also tolerates salt spray and irrigation with brackish water.<\/p>
Aeae spreads its vines across the soil in clumps of delicate, fleshy, tear-like leaves. When it blooms, tiny white to pale blue flowers open and attract native pollinators. Aeae also shelters invertebrates that feed the native waterfowl – a good reason to add it to wildlife habitats.<\/p>
- Other common names are: <\/strong>Baby tears, dwarf bacopa, and water hyssop.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 2 to 4 inches tall and 1 to 4 feet wide.<\/li>
- Light requirements: <\/strong>It grows faster in full sun but tolerates shade.<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> You can plant in clay, sand, cinder, organic, and coral soils, moist to wet. It can grow directly in fresh or slightly brackish water in a garden pond or stream.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 2 to 4 inches tall and 1 to 4 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 6 to 8 inches tall and 5 to 15 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>1 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 15 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>2 to 6 inches tall and 2 to 4 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>1 to 2.5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 2 to 5 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, depending on variety. <\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 6 to 36 inches tall and 2 to 5 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity: <\/strong>2 to 4 inches tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.<\/li>
- Size at maturity:<\/strong> 2 to 4 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.<\/li>
- 2. Pauohiiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia ssp. sandwicensis)<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Ilima Papa (Sida fallax)<\/a><\/li>