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Peperomia sandwicensis, Ekahanui, a new native indoor plant with interesting leaf venation

Posted on Sep. 1, 2025  /  Best Practices, Native Species, Nursery  /  Subscribe 0

By: Orville C. Baldos

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Peperomias are very popular as houseplants because they are easy to care for. Many species and cultivars are sold in grocery stores, nurseries, and big box stores across Hawaii. But did you know that Hawaii is home to 23 endemic and 2 indigenous species of peperomia? Some of these species have colorful leaves and stems that make them very ornamental. 

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Indoor plant research conducted at UH Manoa for the past eight years has identified several native peperomia species that can thrive as indoor plants. Among the tested species, Peperomia sandwicensis showed the most tolerance to indoor light conditions. In 2021, Peperomia ‘Palikea’ was introduced as a compact selection for small spaces [1]. In this article, we introduce ‘Ekahanui’, a larger selection with contrasting veins on its leaves. 

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Figure 1. Peperomia sandwicensis ‘Ekahanui’ in a 3.43-inch diameter ceramic pot. Photo by Orville Baldos.

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‘Ekahanui’ was collected as a stem cutting by botanist Joel Lau in West Oahu. A plant grown from the stem cutting was maintained at the Harold Lyon Arboretum and then moved to the Magoon Research Facility for propagation (e.g., cuttings and tissue culture) and evaluation. In 2022 and 2023, six-month indoor light trials were conducted under low (350 lux), office (750 lux), and high light (5000 lux) conditions. Results of the trial indicate that ‘Ekahanui’ can maintain an attractive appearance under office (750 lux) and high light (5000 lux) conditions. In 2024, ‘Ekahanui’ was officially described and released [2].

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‘Ekahanui’ is a bigger plant compared to ‘Palikea’. Plants can grow up to 8 inches high (excluding flower spikes). Stems are hairy and can be upright to floppy with few branches. Stem color can range from red-purple (RHS 59A [3]) to grayed orange (RHS 166A). The average internode length (i.e., length between nodes/leaves in the stem) is 0.9 inches. Leaves are 0.6 to 1 inch wide and 0.7 to 1.3 inches long. The upper leaf surface has no hairs, is dark green (RHS N137A) with light green (RHS 138C) veins (3 to 5 veins prominent) and secondary veins that form a netted pattern. The lower leaf surface is hairy and red-purple (RHS 59A). Veins may sometimes appear light green (RHS 138D) or pinkish (RHS N170D). Flower spikes are floppy and can grow very long (up to 10 inches) on the stem tip or the side of the stem. 

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Figure 2. ‘Ekahanui’ (left) and ‘Palikea’ (right) plants side-by-side. ‘Ekahanui’ has a more elongated growth than ‘Palikea’. It also has bigger leaves that possess very prominent leaf venation. Photo by Orville Baldos.

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‘Ekahanui’ can be propagated from stem and leaf cuttings. Stem cuttings produce plants the fastest (two to three months) while leaf cuttings may take longer. Applications of rooting hormone (3000 ppm indolebutyric acid) prior to sticking can improve root length and root numbers. Cuttings may be planted in moist calcined clay or succulent potting medium. Allow cuttings to root under bright indirect light or under cool white LED shoplights (placed 11 inches above the cuttings). Rooting takes about a month. Once the roots form, plant cuttings in a well-draining potting medium or succulent mix. Top dress plants with slow-release fertilizer.

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‘Ekahanui’ grows best under bright indirect light with or without air-conditioning. To promote branching, shoot tips can be pinched. Flower spikes and floppy stems can be pruned off to improve appearance. In terms of watering, allow the soil to partially dry in between waterings and avoid standing water at the bottom of the pot. Watch for thrips, root mealybugs, and scale insects. Managing these pests will prevent stunting, severe defoliation, and plant death.   

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Figure 3. Pinching 1 – Pinching plants twice at 1 and 2 months after propagation enhances the branching of ‘Ekahanui’. Photo by Orville Baldos.

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Figure 4. Pinching 2 – Six-month-old plants pinched at 1 and 2 months after propagation from stem cuttings. Photo by Orville Baldos.

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Figure 5.  ‘Ekahanui’ in a 6-inch pot, growing for 5 months indoors at the UH Manoa Law Library. Photo by Orville Baldos. 

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Contact Orville Baldos (e-mail: [email protected]) for inquiries on plants or stem cuttings of Peperomia sandwicensis ‘Ekahanui’.  

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References: 

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3. Royal Horticultural Society. 2007. Royal Horticultural Society colour chart. RHS. London, UK.

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Orville Baldos, Associate Researcher in Sustainable Ornamental Production, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Contact Orville Baldos (e-mail: [email protected]) for inquiries on plants or stem cuttings of Peperomia sandwicensis ‘Ekahanui’.  

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