Kawakawa
A shade-loving understorey shrub best known for its role in rongoā Māori (traditional medicine) - leaves are used externally and in teas, though this database does not treat it as a food crop. Holes chewed by the native kawakawa looper moth caterpillar in the leaves are considered a healthy sign, not a pest problem to fix. Prefers a sheltered, part- to full-shade spot with moist soil; frost-tender in cold inland or southern gardens.
- Sun
- shade
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 150cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman
- Mature height
- 4m
- Attracts wildlife
- Kererū, Native bees
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Common pests
- Looper caterpillar (kawakawa looper moth)
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: September-November.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Choose a sheltered, part- to full-shade spot with moist soil
- Frost-tender, so protect young plants in cold inland or southern gardens
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Holes chewed in the leaves by the native kawakawa looper moth caterpillar are a healthy sign, not a pest problem to fix
- Keep soil consistently moist as the shrub fills out under shade
Maturity
- Leaves are valued in rongoā Māori (traditional medicine), used externally and in teas
- Kererū and native bees make use of the mature shrub
- Continue expecting looper-moth leaf holes as a normal, healthy feature rather than damage to treat