Beach Naupaka
Scaevola taccada
Also listed as Scaevola sericea, Lobelia frutescens
Also known as Beach Scaevola, Beach Cabbage, Half-flower
Climate Match for your location
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Beach naupaka is a salt-tolerant, spreading shrub with fleshy leaves and distinctive white or pale purple flowers. It thrives in coastal conditions and is excellent for stabilizing sandy soils and erosion control.
Why grow it
Beach naupaka outperforms many ornamental shrubs in high-salinity and windy coastal environments where alternatives struggle. Its deep root system and fleshy foliage make it particularly effective for sand dune stabilization and windbreak plantings in maritime zones. Compared to other salt-tolerant groundcovers, it offers faster establishment and denser branching with minimal supplemental watering once established.
Watch out for
In humid inland climates with poor drainage, root rot can develop despite the plant's salt tolerance. Growth may slow considerably outside coastal or well-drained sandy settings, so site selection is important for reliable performance. Heavy pruning can leave bare stems that may not readily regenerate foliage in cooler climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Goodeniaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Tropical Indo-Pacific, including Hawaii
Native to: Hawaii
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Beach naupaka is a salt-tolerant, spreading shrub with fleshy leaves and distinctive white or pale purple flowers. It thrives in coastal conditions and is excellent for stabilizing sandy soils and erosion control.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Beach Naupaka grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Beach naupaka outperforms many ornamental shrubs in high-salinity and windy coastal environments where alternatives struggle. Its deep root system and fleshy foliage make it particularly effective for sand dune stabilization and windbreak plantings in maritime zones. Compared to other salt-tolerant groundcovers, it offers faster establishment and denser branching with minimal supplemental watering once established.
Watch out for
In humid inland climates with poor drainage, root rot can develop despite the plant's salt tolerance. Growth may slow considerably outside coastal or well-drained sandy settings, so site selection is important for reliable performance. Heavy pruning can leave bare stems that may not readily regenerate foliage in cooler climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Goodeniaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Tropical Indo-Pacific, including Hawaii
Native to: Hawaii
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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