Kawakawa Piper excelsum
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Piperaceae family, native to New Zealand and nearby islands. It grows 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Kawakawa in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Kawakawa at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Piperaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: leaves (tea, rongoā), ripe orange fruit spikes |
| Native to | New Zealand and nearby islands |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Kawakawa toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Contains myristicin; drink teas in moderation.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Kawakawa
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Questions about Kawakawa
- How far apart should I plant Kawakawa?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Kawakawa need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Kawakawa need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Kawakawa?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Kawakawa flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Kawakawa poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Contains myristicin; drink teas in moderation.
- What grows well with Kawakawa?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Kawakawa. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Flora of New Zealand and Ngā Tipu Whakaoranga (Māori plant use), Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: flora, NZPCN
Notes and assumptions
- Heart-shaped peppery leaves, often holed by the kawakawa looper caterpillar (the holiest leaves are said to be best for tea).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Black pepper Piper nigrum
- Betel leaf Piper betle
- Lolot (wild betel) Piper sarmentosum
- Ashanti pepper (West African black pepper, uziza) Piper guineense
- Baby rubber plant (blunt-leaved peperomia) Peperomia obtusifolia
- Emerald ripple peperomia Peperomia caperata
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron