Seascapes 2026 Plant Picks!

2026 is just around the corner, and we can’t wait for what this new year has in store! Whether you’re planning a garden makeover or just looking for new specimen plants to add to your collection, we’ve compiled our favorite plants for this year! In a 5-acre nursery, it’s hard to pick just one favorite, so explore our top picks and find inspiration for your 2026 garden!

Top Tree of 2026:

Dwarf Poinciana

Dwarf Poinciana (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) is recognizable for its stunning bloom spikes and feather-like green leaves. The flowers can be red, orange, coral, or yellow. These beautiful flowers also attract pollinators! Dwarf Poinciana is a fast-growing tree that can grow up to 12 feet tall, although it can be kept shorter as a shrub with pruning. This spectacular plant is ideal to use as a hedge or screen, or as a focal point in your landscape. The flowers are also desirable for lei-making! It’s no surprise that this plant is a favorite and highly revered here in Hawai’i.

The Dwarf Poinciana prefers conditions with full sun. They can tolerate part shade, but they tend to flower more with full-sun exposure. They are best grown in well-draining soil and, once mature, are considered drought-tolerant. They can be pruned and shaped as desired, just be mindful of the thorns growing on the trunk and branches.

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Top Shrub of 2026:

Angel-Wing Jasmine

Angel-Wing Jasmine (Jasmine nitidum) is a spreading, vine-like shrub that shows off clusters of fragrant flowers. The dainty white flowers are shaped like a pinwheel with a purple bud and underside. This shrub does well as a container plant or as a complementary plant in the landscape. Though it has vining tendencies, it is not a vigorous climber. It can grow well on a sturdy structure like a chain-link fence or trellis. Arrange in a raised planter or next to a low wall to create a beautiful cascading effect! The flowers are fragrant and lovely to look at!

Angel-Wing Jasmine requires full sun and well-draining, moist soil. Water deeply while the plant is growing in, and once it’s established, cut back on watering frequency. This shrub can reach up to 10 feet tall in ideal conditions.

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Top Native of 2026:

Hau Hele Wai

Hau Hele Wai (Hibiscus furcellatus) is a Hibiscus species indigenous to Hawai’i, found primarily in wet forests or marshy areas near sea level. The name Hau hele wai means "traveling hau in water," named for the swampy habitat where it is found. This plant’s beautiful Hibiscus flower blooms year-round. The flower color can range from pale magenta to purple. Hibiscus furcellatus is the only indigenous hibiscus species in Hawaiʻi, while other native species are considered endemic. Although they grow in marshy conditions in their native habitat, they do not require wet areas to grow.

Hau Hele Wai grows best in full sun to part shade. They can reach 6 to 10 feet tall and prefer moist soil. The beautiful flowers can be deadheaded along with the spent seed pod heads, helping the plant look more attractive. When pruning, be mindful of the spiny hairs on the stems as they can be prickly. 

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Top Palm of 2026:

Elegant Fan Palm

The Elegant Fan Palm (Licuala elegans/peltata) is known for its large, ruffled, fan-shaped leaves. These fronds can get up to 7 feet in diameter! While this palm grows to be a moderate size, its short trunk can hold up to 15 large, undivided fronds at one time. This attractive palm entices horticulturalists as well as anyone else who comes across its expansive, green leaves. The fronds often layer over one another, creating a beautiful, lush, green backdrop in the landscape.

Licuala elegans thrives in humid environments, protected from the wind. Although it can handle full sun, it’s best to let it grow in a sheltered area to prevent the leaves from getting damaged by strong winds. This palm prefers a rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. They can adapt to other soil types as long as the soil allows for good drainage. Licuala elegans benefits from being regularly mulched to help retain moisture in the soil and promote healthy growth.

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Top Ornamental of 2026:

Dark Salmon Mussaenda

Mussaenda philippica ‘Dark Salmon’, also called Tropical Dogwood, is a flowering shrub with show-stopping blooms. The vibrant, salmon bracts create a stunning backdrop for the adorable, star-shaped yellow flower. Although the bracts are not the true flower, they are truly the star of the show! These shrubs are ideal for hedges, planters or containers, as well as mixed flower beds. They are also great pollinator plants!

Mussaenda can grow 10-15 feet tall in the landscape, but stays closer to 1-3 feet tall when grown in containers. They perform best in full sun but can handle some shade. It is important to note that sun exposure is the key to producing bright, vibrant flowers and bracts. They benefit from regular watering and rich, well-draining soil. Regular fertilizing during the blooming season will help promote growth. In the hot months, be sure to water more regularly. This shrub can be pruned after the flowering period has passed to control size and shape.

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Top Houseplant of 2026:

Friendship Plant

The Friendship Plant (Pilea peperomioides), also called the Chinese Money Plant, is an adorable foliage plant that grows well indoors. The coin-shaped leaves give it its quirky look and appeal. It’s called the Friendship Plant because you can easily propagate these cuties to share with friends! To propagate, harvest the keikis growing around the base of your plant. Pilea is an ideal houseplant because it is low-maintenance and pet-safe. They also act as an air purifier indoors. Pilea grows best in an east or west-facing window with bright, indirect light.

Be sure your Pilea gets lots of filtered sunlight, but avoid any direct sunlight. Water this plant deeply, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. They like moisture but not excessive water—Plant Pilea in a well-draining soil like a succulent mix. To prevent your plant from growing lopsided, rotate regularly for even growth. Although this plant can handle lower light conditions, these conditions can cause the plant to get leggy and produce smaller leaves. With bright light and regular water, this adorable houseplant will be happy as can be!

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Top Groundcover of 2026:

Variegated Rhoeo

Rhoeo spathacea ‘Tricolor’, also referred to as Oyster Plant, is an excellent groundcover to add a pop to your garden! These varieties stay compact and have a clumping growth habit, making them a great option to fill out a garden bed or border. Rhoeo can grow from 6 inches to 1 foot tall in the landscape. This plant can also be used as a container plant and grows well in pots along with plants that require similar care. This plant is a desirable groundcover because of its colorful and attractive foliage! This variety in particular stands out with not only its purple undersides, but its pale purple variegation contrasting with the dark green of the leaves. The plant grows in a tall rosette shape with stiff, sword-like leaves.

Rhoeo should be planted in a well-draining soil with plenty of exposure to sun or bright light. Planting it in a shady area may cause the plant to stretch and turn lanky. Insufficient light can also cause the color of the leaves to revert to green. When potted in a container, allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.

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What do you think of our top plant picks for 2026? What plant would you add to the list? There’s so much more to explore here at the nursery! We can’t wait to see you all in the New Year and help make your 2026 garden dreams come to life!