ʻŌhiʻa lehua Metrosideros polymorpha
ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Myrtaceae family, native to Hawaiian Islands (endemic; dominant tree of native forests from lava flows to bogs). It grows 6–20 m (20–66 ft) tall and 4–10 m (13–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan ʻŌhiʻa lehua in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
ʻŌhiʻa lehua at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 6–20 m (20–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–10 m (13–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Hawaiian Islands (endemic; dominant tree of native forests from lava flows to bogs) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is ʻŌhiʻa lehua toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 ʻŌhiʻa lehua
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
See ʻŌhiʻa lehua in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (6 plants)
Questions about ʻŌhiʻa lehua
- How far apart should I plant ʻŌhiʻa lehua?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–10 m (13–33 ft).
- Does ʻŌhiʻa lehua need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does ʻŌhiʻa lehua need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is ʻŌhiʻa lehua?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does ʻŌhiʻa lehua flower?
- From about March for 9–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is ʻŌhiʻa lehua 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with ʻŌhiʻa lehua?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for ʻŌhiʻa lehua. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plant database and Hawaiian native plants, National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kauaʻi)
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Pom-pom flowers of red stamens feed native honeycreepers; the first tree to colonise new lava. Threatened by Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (a Ceratocystis fungus).
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
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium