Myoporum sandwicense
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (0) · fruit (1) · bark (2) · habit (3) · other (0)

Myoporum sandwicense

Bastard-sandalwood · Naio

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
12
Observations
4

Description

Source: leafsnap

Myoporum sandwicense, commonly known as naio, bastard sandalwood or false sandalwood is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. It is a tree or shrub highly variable in its form, the size and shape of its leaves, in the number of flowers in a group and in the shape of its fruit. It is endemic to Hawaiʻi.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Naio comes from open habitats, like sunny meadows and forest margins, which offer plenty of light. It does best in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Naio comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. As such, it is well suited to high temperatures and humidity. It is sensitive to sudden temperature shifts and prefers a stable thermal environment, so avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It usually cannot tolerate cold and requires warmer conditions to grow. If the temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilizing is essential for caring for Naio. Consistent feeding during the growing season helps maintain the energy for its showy foliage and supports overall growth. Failing to fertilize can lead to unhealthy leaves, reduced ornamental appeal, and stunted or fragile growth that is prone to breaking.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

For optimal health, Naio should be pruned annually in early spring. This process involves removing any dead or diseased branches and thinning out dense areas to improve airflow. Proper pruning helps maintain the plant's shape and supports healthy growth. It's important to avoid over-pruning, as this can stress the plant. By pruning carefully, you can enhance both the plant's resilience and its aesthetic appeal.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree, Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Myoporum
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
2.13 m to 3.96 m
Mature Spread
2.13 m to 3.05 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
Bloom Time
All year round
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
All year round

Tags (6)

Common Names (2)

en Bastard-sandalwood
en Naio