Heart-leaved New Zealand native shrub of the pepper family. Leaves are a major Māori medicinal plant, used both topically and as a tea.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H3 | −5 °C to 1 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 5–7 | 5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Kawakawa
Kawakawa is a small New Zealand tree of the pepper family, and its heart-shaped leaves are almost always riddled with holes — the work of a native looper caterpillar. Rather than being a defect, holed leaves are traditionally regarded as the better ones to gather, on the reasoning that the insect selects plants with the strongest chemistry. It has a significant place in rongoā, Māori medicine, and the leaves are used as a tea. The plant is closely related to kava and to black pepper, and the leaves have a distinctly peppery aroma when crushed.
Growing notes
- Holey leaves are not a problem — they show looper moth caterpillars are present, and traditional knowledge holds that those leaves carry the strongest medicinal activity
- Increasing interest in commercial cultivation
- Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before using any plant medicinally
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Kawakawa against your zones