How to Grow Honohono

Honohono

Commelina diffusa

vegetable

Honohono is a tropical leafy green vegetable native to the Pacific Islands, particularly Hawaii, with heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue flowers. It is a creeping vine that produces tender, nutrient-dense edible leaves with a mild flavor similar to spinach. This plant thrives in warm, humid climates and is increasingly recognized as a nutritious traditional crop.

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Example Honohono timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Honohono
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Honohono
Around May 17

≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Honohono dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Partial shade to full sun; prefers 4-6 hours of sunlight daily; tolerates dappled light

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; prefers humid conditions; water regularly during growing season; reduce watering in winter

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 30-45 days to first harvest

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Planting depth: Surface sow or press seeds lightly into soil; do not bury deeply; keep soil moist until germination

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile, organic-rich soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coco coir Mulch for moisture retention

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10-11; can be grown as an annual in zone 9 with protection

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

1-2 weeks

Tiny seeds sprout and develop the first true leaves; seedlings are delicate with thin stems

Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist; provide bright indirect light; protect from strong winds; thin seedlings to proper spacing

Vegetative Growth

2-4 weeks

Plant develops trailing or creeping vines with heart-shaped leaves; stems become more robust and begin to spread horizontally

Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; provide partial shade in hot climates; begin light harvesting of outer leaves when plant is established; mulch around base

Leaf Development & Expansion

3-6 weeks

Rapid production of tender leaves along vining stems; plant spreads vigorously; foliage becomes lush and dense

Continue regular harvesting to encourage bushier growth; ensure adequate water during this period; provide support if growing vertically; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer

Flowering

Ongoing throughout season

Small delicate blue or purple flowers appear among the foliage; flowering indicates maturity but does not diminish leaf quality

Continue harvesting leaves; flowers are edible and attractive; plant can continue producing leaves throughout flowering; maintain water and nutrient levels

Continuous Harvest

2-6 months or longer

Plant enters sustained production phase with continuous leaf generation; can be harvested regularly over extended period

Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching; harvest outer leaves regularly to maintain tender growth; fertilize monthly; keep soil moist; in warm climates, plant can produce year-round

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Taro Bok choy Dasheen Malabar spinach Sweet potato Ginger Turmeric Herbs (basil, cilantro) Lettuce

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Allelopathic plants Dense shade-producing trees

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase air circulation; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
Handpick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); neem oil spray
Increase humidity and misting; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; introduce predatory mites
and
Handpick in early morning or evening; use copper barriers; encourage natural predators; avoid overwatering
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove affected leaves; isolate heavily infested plants

Uses

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Nutritious Leafy Green

Culinary

Honohono leaves are eaten fresh in salads or cooked like spinach in stir-fries, soups, and traditional Hawaiian dishes. The tender leaves have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are rich in vitamins A, C, and minerals. [source]

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Traditional Hawaiian Cuisine

Culinary

Known as 'honohono' in Hawaiian, this plant is featured in traditional island cooking and is gaining recognition as a valuable heritage crop. It can be used fresh, steamed, or incorporated into local dishes. [source]

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Traditional Medicine & Nutrition

Medicinal

In Hawaiian and Pacific Island traditional medicine, honohono has been used to support overall health and wellness. The nutrient density makes it valuable for supplementing diet with vitamins and minerals. [source]

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Sustainable Food Production

Household

As a fast-growing, perennial-like vegetable in tropical climates, honohono offers sustainable year-round leaf production with minimal inputs, making it valuable for home food security and resilient food systems. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The delicate blue flowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, supporting local pollinator populations while providing ornamental interest in vegetable gardens. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting outer leaves 30-45 days after planting when plant is established; pinch or snip tender young leaves and growing tips with clean scissors; harvest regularly (every 2-3 days in peak season) to encourage continuous bushy growth; tender young leaves are superior in flavor and texture to older leaves; can harvest entire outer portions of vines; morning harvesting after dew dries yields crispest leaves; avoid harvesting more than 1/3 of plant at one time to maintain vigor; plant can produce continuously in warm, humid conditions for several months

Fun Facts

🌱 Honohono (Commelina diffusa) is a culturally significant Hawaiian plant that has been used as food for generations, though it nearly disappeared from cultivation and is now experiencing a revival as part of traditional crop preservation efforts.
🌱 The plant's common name 'honohono' in Hawaiian relates to its pleated leaf structure; the leaves have an attractive corrugated appearance that is part of its botanical charm.
🌱 Honohono is extremely prolific and can quickly spread in ideal tropical conditions; some gardeners use it as a living ground cover in food forests and permaculture systems due to its nitrogen-fixing properties and continuous productivity.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade pH Pinch Back True Leaves

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