Pua ala Plant Care
Brighamia rockii St.John
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Brighamia rockii, known as the Molokai ohaha or Pua ʻala in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, that is endemic to the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaii. Pua ʻala inhabits mesic shrublands and forests on rocky cliffs from sea level to 470 m (1,540 ft) on the island's northern windward coast.
Every 10–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Pua ala?
Water Pua ala every 10–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Pua ala Native To?
What Is the Pua ala?
Pua ala (Brighamia rockii) belongs to the Campanulaceae family within the Brighamia genus. Pua ala is native to the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaii.
Pua ala displays a tall, single-stemmed succulent growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pua ala produces tubular white flowers with a sweet fragrance.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pua ala?
Brighamia rockii requires watering every 10–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 10–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Pua ala Need?
Pua ala thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pua ala Prefer?
Brighamia rockii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Pua ala prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pua ala?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Pua ala to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pua ala?
Feed Pua ala every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Pua ala?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Pua ala?
Pua ala can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alula plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Pua ala Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pua ala, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Pua ala?
Pua ala is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Pua ala Need?
Pua ala grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Pua ala is native to the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaii. In cooler regions, grow Pua ala as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Pua ala is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Brighamia genus — compare its care with other Brighamia species on PlantoScan.
Brighamia is part of the Campanulaceae plant family — browse all Campanulaceae genera and species.
Pua ala thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Brighamia rockii St.John, family Campanulaceae (first published in Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 62: 196 (1969)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pua ala, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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