How to care for Brighamia: Care tips for houseplants

The Brighamia family originates from the tropical mountains of Hawaii, which is why it is also known as the Hawaiian Palm! It is a unique plant family with long stems and large green leaves. What makes this plant family extra special are its large trumpet-shaped flowers, ranging from cream-colored to yellow – truly a sight to behold! These flowers appear when the plant is happy and gets plenty of light. The Brighamia is perfectly adapted to Hawaii's mountainous landscape, but it is becoming rarer there because of habitat loss. By bringing one into your home, you are helping preserve this beautiful plant and adding a touch of tropical nature to your space!

Fun fact! Brighamia plants have a thick, fleshy stem that looks a bit like a mini tree. In their natural habitat, they can grow up to 4-6 meters tall! They store water in their stem, making them great at handling dry conditions; pretty handy, right?

Brighamia care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Brighamia loves light, but be careful with direct sun, especially in summer, as it can burn the leaves. Place it in a spot with bright, indirect light, like an east- or west-facing window.
2. These plants store water in their stems, so they don’t need constant watering. Water when the top of the soil feels dry. In summer, water every two weeks, and in winter, once every three weeks.
3. Feed your Brighamia every 4-6 weeks in summer, when it is growing. No need for fertilizer in fall and winter.
4. Brighamia likes temperatures between 18°C and 24°C. It doesn’t like cold (under 10°C) or heat (over 35°C), so keep it in a stable environment.
5. Brighamia prefers average humidity, but it can handle lower levels. Give it a little misting now and then to keep it happy, but avoid doing this in direct sunlight to prevent leaf burns.
6. Use well-draining potting soil, like a mix of potting soil, perlite, and coconut fiber. This keeps the roots from sitting in water.
7. Repot your Brighamia every 2-3 years in the spring, when it is well-rooted. Choose a pot that’s about twice the size of the plant’s roots to give it plenty of room to grow.
8. If the leaves start to wilt, just cut them close to the stem. This helps the plant keep its stem strong!
9. You can propagate your plant through stem cuttings or seeds to grow a baby plant!
10. Brighamia can sometimes attract pests like aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites. Check the leaves and stem regularly. If you see any, treat with neem oil to keep the plant healthy!

Brighamia care

Light & Placement

Brighamia loves plenty of light, but be careful: direct sunlight (especially in summer) can burn its leaves. In its natural environment in Hawaii's tropical mountains, it gets filtered light, which helps it stay healthy and strong. The best spot for it is a bright room, like a windowsill or near a window. An east- or west-facing window? Perfect! It will get that soft, indirect sunlight it loves. So, avoid placing it in direct sun and instead pick a spot with some filtered light, where it can grow and feel right at home!

Water

Brighamia plants like a little water, but not too much! They store water in their thick stems, so they can handle dry periods. Water them regularly, but make sure the soil doesn’t stay too wet – they don’t like soggy roots! Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. In spring and summer, when they are growing, you can water them every two weeks. In fall and winter, once every three weeks is usually enough. Just check by sticking your finger 2-4 cm into the soil to feel if it is still moist! Also, make sure the pot has good drainage so the water doesn’t sit.

Expert tip: Start by giving your plant a little water. If the soil feels dry within 2 days, your Brighamia might need a bit more. Play around with the amount until the soil stays nice and moist for 2-5 days after watering and only starts to dry out after 5 days. If it is still wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and then water again, but adjust the amount!

Fertiliser

We recommend giving your Hawaiian Palm some PLNTS plant food every 4-6 weeks, but only during the growing season! In fall and winter, skip the fertilizer because the plant doesn’t need much. Just follow the instructions on the fertilizer label to give your plant exactly what it needs without overdoing it!

Temperature & Humidity

This plant family loves a steady temperature between 18-24°C. They are not big fans of drafts or temperature swings. If it drops below 10°C or gets hotter than 35°C, your Brighamia might struggle, and its leaves and stems could look unhealthy. So, make sure to place it somewhere the temperature stays nice and stable, so it feels comfy and grows well!

The Hawaiian Palm also likes moderate humidity, so it is a good idea to mist it now and then to keep it happy. But don’t worry; it can also handle lower humidity. It is a great idea to spray your Brighamia with water every now and then! Just be careful on hot summer days: it is best to do this either in the evening after sunset or on days when the sun is not too strong. Otherwise, water drops on the leaves can act like little magnifying glasses and burn the leaves!

Bonus: misting also helps remove dust from the leaves so your plant can soak up more sunlight and look even better. Plus, it can help keep pests away!

Soil & Repotting

Brighamia does best in well-draining soil, so the water doesn’t sit in the pot. A good mix is PLNTS potting soil, perlite, and coconut fiber – this helps the soil breathe and lets the water drain easily!

Once your Brighamia is well-rooted (usually after 2-3 years), it is a good idea to repot it in spring. If your plant is indoors, it doesn’t matter much when you repot. If it is outside, you can repot it in summer, but we wouldn’t recommend doing it in fall or winter. During those times, the plant grows slower and might have trouble adjusting to the cold!

Expert tip: When you repot, choose a pot that is about twice the size of the root ball so your plant has room to grow!

Pruning

After a while, the leaves on your Hawaiian Palm may start to wither. If that happens, just trim them close to the stem, near the base. Don’t worry about cutting the whole leaf with the stem – this helps the plant keep its nice, strong stem!

Propagation Brighamia

Want to propagate your Brighamia? One way is through cuttings, but just so you know, this method is a bit less common than growing from seeds. If you want to give cuttings a try, here is a simple step-by-step guide!

1. Choose a healthy, strong stem that is not too old but also not too young. It should have a part of the stem where a leaf is attached.
2. Cut the stem just above the node (the spot where a leaf grows from the stem). Make sure to cut at least 10-15 cm from the stem and include a part of the stem. The node should remain on the cutting, as this is where new roots will form.
3. Let the cutting dry for a few days in a dry place, so the cut can heal properly. This helps prevent the cutting from rotting when you plant it.
4. Place the cutting in a pot with well-draining soil and make sure it gets plenty of warmth and light.

Not successful with cuttings? Try propagating from seeds instead! Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Then, sow the seeds in well-draining potting soil, press them lightly into the soil, but don’t cover them. Put the pot in a warm spot with lots of indirect sunlight and keep the soil lightly moist. After 2-4 weeks, you should see the seeds start to sprout! Who knows, you might have a whole new plant soon!

Most common pests and diseases on Brighamia

Heads up: Brighamia can sometimes get aphids, so it is a good idea to check your plant weekly, especially around the center, for any pests. Other unwanted guests, like mealybugs or spider mites, can also pop up, especially in dry indoor conditions.

If you spot anything, treat the plant with neem oil. Don’t forget to regularly check the back of the leaves and the stem to spot pests quickly and take care of them!

Is Brighamia toxic for your pets or children?

Yes, Brighamia is toxic, so it is a good idea to keep it out of reach of kids and pets. If they happen to nibble on the leaves or stem, it could be harmful. Just keep an eye on it, and you will be able to enjoy this beautiful plant family with no worries!

Buy Brighamia online at PLNTS.com

Brighamia is a real tropical eye-catcher, with its thick, fleshy leaves and strong stem that gives it a bit of a palm-like look! The Brighamia Insignis variety adds a little extra tropical touch with large leaves and a full appearance. It can even handle full sun in the winter and doesn’t require complicated watering, so it is low maintenance! Buy Brighamia online at PLNTS.com and turn your home into a tropical paradise. Enjoy your new green addition!