How to Grow Pohuehue
iNaturalist
Pohuehue
Ipomoea pes-caprae
vinePohuehue is a salt-tolerant, spreading vine native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions worldwide. It produces heart-shaped leaves and delicate pink or purple flowers, thriving in sandy, saline environments where few other plants survive. This hardy groundcover is valued for coastal stabilization and ornamental purposes.
When should you plant Pohuehue in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Pohuehue timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Pohuehue
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Pohuehue
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pohuehue dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 10b-11, preferring warm tropical and subtropical coastal climates
Sign up free to see if Pohuehue grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Pohuehue timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-4 weeksSeeds sprout with cotyledons visible, first true leaves emerge. Plant establishes shallow root system.
Keep soil lightly moist until established. Provide bright light. Germinates slowly; pre-soak seeds or scarify for faster germination.
Vegetative Growth & Vine Establishment
4-8 weeksTrailing vines extend across ground with heart-shaped leaves. Vine spreads rapidly along soil surface. Root system deepens.
Minimal water needed once rooted. Allow vines to spread freely for ground coverage. No fertilizer usually required in sandy soils.
Flowering
Continuous during warm season (4-6 months or year-round in tropical climates)Delicate pink, purple, or white funnel-shaped flowers (1-2 inches) appear along vines and between leaf nodes.
Flowering is prolific in full sun and warm conditions. Allow flowers to set seed if desired for natural spread.
Seed Set & Maturation
4-6 weeks per flowering cycleFlowers develop into small, round seed capsules containing 1-4 hard seeds. Capsules ripen to tan/brown color.
Allow capsules to dry on plant for easier seed collection. Seeds can be harvested or left to self-sow.
Established Ground Cover
Year-round in tropical zones; seasonal in cooler areasMature vines form dense carpet over soil surface, continuously flowering and producing seed. Plant becomes increasingly salt-resistant.
Minimal maintenance required. No pruning necessary unless controlling spread. Tolerates salt spray and coastal conditions beautifully.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick small populations; use neem oil if needed; rarely problematic in coastal conditions
-
Spray with water; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators
-
Increase humidity; spray with water; neem oil in severe cases
-
Remove by hand; horticultural oil spray; prune heavily infested sections
Uses
Coastal Erosion Control & Beach Stabilization
HouseholdPohuehue's extensive root system and salt tolerance make it invaluable for preventing coastal erosion and stabilizing sand dunes. It is widely used in restoration projects along tropical and subtropical shorelines. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The vines provide ground-level nesting and sheltering habitat for small coastal wildlife and ground-nesting birds. [source]
Salt-Tolerant Groundcover Landscaping
OrnamentalPohuehue is prized as an ornamental groundcover in coastal gardens and seaside properties where salt spray prevents most plants from thriving. Its pink or purple flowers and attractive foliage add color to harsh coastal environments. [source]
Traditional Hawaiian & Pacific Medicine
MedicinalIn Hawaiian traditional medicine (Lā'au Lapa'au), pohuehue leaves and roots were used to address skin conditions and as a mild laxative. Various Pacific Island cultures employed it for similar therapeutic purposes. [source]
Edible Leaves & Tubers
CulinaryIn some Pacific Island and Asian cuisines, young pohuehue leaves are eaten as a vegetable, and the root tubers are occasionally consumed as a starchy food. Both are boiled or steamed for consumption. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Seeds can be harvested when capsules turn brown and dry on the plant (typically 4-6 weeks after flowering). Collect mature seed pods, allow to dry completely indoors, then extract seeds. Fresh seeds germinate more readily. The plant itself is not harvested; it is grown as living ground cover for erosion control and ornamental purposes.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pohuehue is one of the few flowering plants capable of surviving in extremely salty, nutrient-poor sand where it can tolerate salt concentrations that would kill most vegetation.
- 🌱 The name 'pes-caprae' in its scientific name means 'goat's foot,' referring to the distinctive heart-shaped leaves that resemble goat hoofprints when viewed from above.
- 🌱 Pohuehue has naturally colonized tropical and subtropical beaches worldwide, making it one of the most geographically widespread coastal vines, found from Hawaii to the Caribbean to Southeast Asia and beyond.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Pohuehue planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Pohuehue seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Pohuehue timeline →