Photo: David Eickhoff from Pearl City, Hawaii, USACC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Napali Jackbean Plant Care
Canavalia napaliensis H.St.John
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Canavalia napaliensis, commonly known as the Mākaha Valley Jack-bean, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It was previously more widespread in the archipelago and could be found in Oʻahu's Mākaha Valley, but is today restricted to northwestern Kauaʻi. This and other Hawaiian Canavalia are known there as ʻāwikiwiki.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Napali Jackbean?
Water Napali Jackbean every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Napali Jackbean?
Napali Jackbean (Canavalia napaliensis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Canavalia genus. Napali Jackbean is native to Oʻahu's Mākaha Valley. Napali Jackbean is also known as Canavalia makahaensis, Canavalia nualoloensis.
Napali Jackbean displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Napali Jackbean produces showy clusters of purple, pink, or white pea-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Napali Jackbean?
Canavalia napaliensis requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Napali Jackbean Need?
Napali Jackbean thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Napali Jackbean Prefer?
Canavalia napaliensis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Napali Jackbean prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Napali Jackbean?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Napali Jackbean to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Napali Jackbean?
Feed Napali Jackbean every 4 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 4 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 Napali Jackbean?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Napali Jackbean?
Napali Jackbean can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to molokai jackbean plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Napali Jackbean Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Napali Jackbean, 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 Napali Jackbean?
Napali Jackbean is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Napali Jackbean Need?
Napali Jackbean grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Napali Jackbean is native to Oʻahu's Mākaha Valley. In cooler regions, grow Napali Jackbean as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Napali Jackbean 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 Canavalia genus — compare its care with other Canavalia species on PlantoScan.
Canavalia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Napali Jackbean 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: Canavalia napaliensis H.St.John, family Fabaceae (first published in Israel J. Bot. 19: 168 (1970)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Napali Jackbean, 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.
- Photo: David Eickhoff from Pearl City, Hawaii, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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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