02-05-2025
Sick of $8 tomatoes? Build a lanai garden, eat for (almost) nothing
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Living in Hawaiʻi means you're never too far from fresh produce. But you don't need a backyard or a big garden to grow your own food.
According to Dr. Nat Bletter, an ethnobotanist based in Honolulu, your lanai or even a few pots on a balcony can become a thriving food forest with the right know-how and a little attention.
Whether you live in a high-rise or a ground-floor apartment, growing edible plants in containers is easier than you think. From ʻuala (sweet potato) to dwarf mango trees, here's how to get started and succeed.
Not all fruits and veggies grow well in pots but plenty do, especially in Hawaiʻi's warm, wet climate.
Vegetables like cherry tomatoes, chili peppers, eggplant and kale thrive in large containers. Just make sure they get enough sun — ideally 6 to 8 hours a day — and airflow. Tomatoes need extra care: keep them in cages wrapped in fine netting to block pests like whiteflies and leaf miners.
Root crops like ʻuala can grow in wide, shallow containers. Leafy greens like ong choi love wet soil and partial shade, while collard greens, arugula and even some edible 'weeds' like Chinese violet will reward you with regular harvests and bright, tasty leaves.
On the herb side, go for basil, mint (in partial shade), oregano, culantro (great in hot climates), rosemary and lemon balm. Native plants like pōhinahina, a relative of sage, can be used in similar ways and add a Hawaiian touch.
Just because your lanai is outside doesn't mean it's ideal for all plants. Most fruiting plants need full sun — that means at least six hours per day — and good airflow. South-facing spaces are best.
But wind can damage delicate plants like cacao or grapevines.
'Cacao must be protected from wind,' Dr. Bletter said. Keep wind-sensitive plants closer to walls or use shade cloths and and pole beans need something to climb. A strong trellis, railing or fence works well, just make sure it gets sunlight.
Size matters when it comes to containers. The more space roots have, the better the plant will grow. For small vegetables and herbs, 1- to 5-gallon pots can work. But if you want fruit, you'll need to scale up.
Dwarf fruit trees like mango (Pickering is a good choice), bananas, citrus or figs need at least a 25-gallon pot. That sounds big, but it's necessary for roots to anchor, absorb nutrients and hold water. Too-small pots dry out fast and can stunt the plant.
For people tight on space, look into vertical gardening or smaller plants like Surinam cherry or pitangatuba (a tart, star-shaped cherry relative that grows well in pots and produces striking yellow fruit).
Limited space doesn't mean you have to limit your options. Grafted trees allow you to grow more than one kind of fruit on the same root system.
'You can have one trunk and then have a fruit cocktail tree,' said Dr. Bletter. For example, you could grow calamansi, lemon, lime and orange all on one multi-citrus tree. These grafted trees are often available at plant sales or through local horticulturists like Dr. Bletter.
This also applies to apples and pears, both of which can grow in pots in Hawaiʻi's microclimates with the right care and pruning.
Some of the easiest and tastiest plants to grow are the ones most people ignore. Chinese violet grows with very little care, flowers beautifully and makes a peppery addition to salads. Ong choi and arugula are equally undemanding and can be harvested continuously.
These 'wild greens' often out-compete pests, thrive in local soil conditions and add diversity to your plate. Best of all, they don't need to look perfect to taste amazing.
Growing in pots can help keep some pests away but not all. Insects like whiteflies, thrips and aphids love tender veggie leaves, especially in humid conditions. Wrap your tomato cages in fine mesh netting to block the worst offenders.
For herbs and greens, hand-picking bugs, using neem oil or rinsing leaves with diluted soap water can be effective and safe methods. The key is to catch pests early and be consistent.
Water deeply but not too often. Overwatering can lead to root rot, especially in pots without drainage. Most herbs and veggies prefer their soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
That said, plants like mint and ong choi love constant moisture. Watch your plants closely. Wilting, yellowing or stunted growth are signs something's off.
Set up a watering schedule or use self-watering pots and mulch to keep moisture levels steady without daily effort.
The most rewarding plants are the ones you want to cook with or snack on. If you're not going to eat kale, don't grow kale. If you love chili peppers, plant a few types and dry or pickle the extras.
Try mixing it up: a pot of herbs by the kitchen, a vine of lilikoʻi along your railing (just make sure you plant at least two genetically different ones for fruit) or a dwarf banana tree in the sunniest corner of your lanai.
Site and light
Get at least 6–8 hours of sunlight per day (south-facing is best).
Block or shield from strong wind (especially cacao, grapes, etc….).
Use a trellis or railing for vines like beans, grapes or lilikoʻi.
Containers
Use 1- to 5-gallon pots for herbs and leafy greens.
Use 25+ gallon pots for dwarf fruit trees, banana or mango.
Make sure all pots have good drainage holes.
Elevate pots slightly to avoid water pooling.
What to plant
Vegetables
Tomatoes (in a cage and netting).
Chilis (Hawaiian, Thai, Peruvian ajis, habanero).
ʻUala (sweet potato).
Kale, collard greens, arugula.
Eggplant.
Ong choi (needs wet soil).
Bush beans (needs full sun).
Pole/wing/string beans (needs trellis and full sun).
'Weeds' like Chinese violet (easy and edible).
Herbs:
Basil (Thai or lemon).
Mint (moist soil and shade).
Culantro.
Rosemary.
Pōhinahina (native sage).
Lemon balm.
Oregano, thyme (tricky in hot weather).
Fruit
Dwarf citrus (orange, lemon, calamansi, etc.).
Mango (Pickering or another dwarf).
Banana (dwarf, 25+ gallon pot).
Lilikoʻi (plant two genetically different vines).
Surinam cherry or pitangatuba (star cherry).
Cacao (shade and wind protection).
Grape (needs trellis and full sun).
Jaboticaba.
Wi Apple.
Apple or pear (needs chill hours in some locations).
Cherry of the Rio Grande.
Mulberry.
Fig.
Grafted or multi-fruit trees (optional).
Look for 'fruit cocktail' trees with multiple varieties grafted onto one trunk.
Ask a local grafter for custom trees.
Maintenance.
Water deeply but don't overwater.
Use mulch to retain moisture.
Fertilize with compost or organic plant food monthly.
Prune dead or weak branches/leaves.
Repot every one to two years, if needed.
Pest control
Check for pests weekly (look under leaves).
Use mesh/netting for tomatoes and soft greens.
Rinse with diluted soap water or use neem oil if needed.
Keep good airflow between plants.
Harvest and enjoy
Harvest often to encourage more growth.
Eat what you grow: fresh herbs, fruit, salad greens and more!
Share extras with neighbors or trade with friends.
You don't need a farm to grow good food. A few well-chosen plants can give you fresh harvests year-round and a daily connection to your food, your culture and your ʻāina.
To learn more about Natty by Nature's edible foraging hikes or urban gardening guidance, you can go to , , or his website,
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Ready to get your hands dirty? Start small, learn from your plants and don't be afraid to experiment. Every lanai is different; but with the right setup, yours can be delicious.
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