Brighamia insignis 'Hawaii Palm'

Hawaiian conservation story of Brighamia insignis 'Hawaii Palm'

Brighamia insignis comes naturally only from the Hawaiian islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. It grew on steep sea cliffs and rocky ledges, in exposed coastal places shaped by wind and salt-laden air.

The plant has disappeared from its known wild sites. Today, cultivated plants help keep the species alive.

Warm-room care for Brighamia insignis 'Hawaii Palm'

• Light: Choose bright indirect light, with some gentle morning or late-day sun.
• Water: When the surface feels dry, water until the mix is evenly wet and allow the pot to drain. Give the mix a short dry spell before watering again.
• Temperature and humidity: Aim for about 18–24°C. Average household humidity generally works; a little extra can help in very dry rooms when air moves around the crown.
• Feeding: Feed lightly while new growth is appearing, then leave longer between feeds when growth slows.
• Potting mix: A free-draining cactus or succulent mix suits the roots.
• Repotting: Repot once the roots are crowded or the mix has begun to break down, choosing a pot with clear drainage holes.

Brighamia insignis 'Hawaii Palm': stem, crown and pest problems

• A soft or darkened stem base: Moisture that lingers around the roots can cause decay. Cut affected tissue back to firm healthy tissue with a clean, disinfected tool, discard the damaged material and replant healthy growth in fresh, free-draining mix.
• A wrinkled stem with dry compost: The stem has lost stored moisture after the mix stayed dry too long. Soak the mix well, then allow the excess to run out.
• Fine pale speckling on the leaves: Spider mites commonly cause this fine speckling, especially beneath the crown. Check the undersides and rinse or wipe the leaves. If fresh damage returns, use a spider-mite treatment at the interval printed on its label.
• Cottony clusters or fixed brown bumps: Mealybugs cause cottony clusters, while scale insects appear as fixed brown bumps. Inspect the crown and stem and lift off small colonies; for anything more widespread, choose a houseplant pest product and follow the label directions.

Keep Brighamia insignis ‘Hawaii Palm’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

When was Brighamia insignis first published, and what does it mean?

Brighamia honours William Tufts Brigham. The Latin epithet insignis means remarkable or distinguished.

Asa Gray established the genus Brighamia in 1867 in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, volume 7, page 185.

Asa Gray first described Brighamia insignis in 1867 in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, volume 7, page 185.