By NTBG Staff
The Regenerative Organic Breadfruit Agroforest demonstration in McBryde Garden, also known as ROBA, was designed primarily for growing food, but over time it’s also become home to a wide variety of plants that we turn to again and again for making lei. In tropical agroforestry systems, trees, shrubs, crops, and other plants grow together as part of a balanced ecosystem. This kind of farming system encourages abundance in many forms—whether it’s food for the table or material for lei making.
From shrubs and ferns to the breadfruit trees themselves, here’s a look at a few of our favorite lei plants growing in ROBA.
Hidden in plain sight, malo ʻulu are the golden leaf sheaths that form where new leaves emerge on breadfruit trees. As the tree sheds them naturally, they fall to the ground below—easy to collect and ready to be used in lei.
Lei made entirely of malo ʻulu—called lei malo ʻulu—are stunning in their own right, but we find these golden leaf sheaths also pair beautifully with other lei materials, especially green foliage.
Tip: We like to rinse the malo ʻulu before using them in lei—not only to clean them but also to rehydrate any sheaths that may have become brittle after being on the ground for a while.
By far the most used lei plant in ROBA is lāʻī, also known as tī leaf. From special events and staff recognitions to visits from school groups, lāʻī is our go-to plant for many occasions. In ROBA we have several green lāʻī as well as some of the more colorful varieties.
Tip: You can even use the yellowing lower leaves of lāʻī in lei! They add an amber hue and are an excellent accent — especially when paired with greens or deeper-colored flowers for contrast.
This native fern can be found in a few small patches within the agroforest, typically in shaded, protected spots in the understory. Fallen leaves from surrounding plants create mulch, helping to retain moisture in these areas.
“Kupu” also means sprout or growth, which is a fitting name for both the fern and the interns who’ve come through ROBA as KUPU AmeriCorps service members. Just like the fern steadily putting out new fronds, our interns have brought fresh energy and growth to the agroforest, making this plant especially meaningful to us.
Tip: Kupukupu fern adds beautiful texture to lei — its fronds create a feathery look that brings depth and movement to any design. Try pairing it with lei material that have broader, smoother leaves, creating a nice contrast that helps each element stand out.
ROBA is home to a handful of ʻaʻaliʻi, a resilient native shrub known for its small, papery seed capsules in shades of red, pinkish cream, and lime green. We love turning a corner in ROBA and being greeted by a cheerful ʻaʻaliʻi.
While the ʻaʻaliʻi in ROBA benefit from the added protection and nutrients provided by the agroforest, ʻaʻaliʻi are also known for their ability to thrive in some of Hawaiʻi’s toughest and driest landscapes, holding their ground in wind, full sun, and rocky or even sandy soil.
Tip: Most people reach for the seed capsules when making lei with ʻaʻaliʻi, but don’t overlook the leaves — they add color and texture of their own. As you can see in the photo above, combining both leaves and capsules makes for a truly striking lei.
Introduced to Hawaiʻi in the late 1800s or early 1900s, puakenikeni got its name—literally “ten-cent flower”—because a lei once cost just ten cents.
This small to medium-sized tree is well-suited for agroforestry systems, where its manageable height and foliage provide light shade without overshadowing other plants.
Tip: Unlike other types of lei, it’s not recommended to store a finished puakenikeni lei in the refrigerator. We love this tip shared by Kuana Torres Kahele: Gently place the lei in a large Ziploc bag, fill the bag with air, and let the inflated bag float in a bowl of water on your countertop at room temperature. This helps keep the flowers fresh.
