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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Lobelioideae (Lobeliaceae) |
| Origin: Pacific Islands |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Fall |
| Synonyms: Brighamia remyi |
| Height: 2-6 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Brighamia rockii (Cabbage Tree) - An unusual plant that grows to 3 to 6 feet tall on a thick leafless succulent stem that is swollen at the base and tapered towards the top and is topped by many light green leathery 6 inch long spoon-shaped leaves. The 4 inch long trumpet-shaped white flowers, produced from between the leaves, are formed in clusters of 3 to 8 flowers. Generally appearing in late summer to early fall they are mildly fragrant. Like the very similar Brighamia insignis, from which B. rockii differs in flower color (B. insignis has yellow cream colored flowers) and native range, these plants are often described as a cabbage sitting on top of a bowling pin. Plant in part sun to light shade in a well-drained soil. Protect from frost and cold wet winter conditions. Our plants have taken mild frosts but are sheltered from winter moisture and covered when temperatures fall below freezing. Brighamia rockii is found growing on sea cliffs from sea level to 1,500 feet on the windward coast of Moloka'i from Kalaupapa to Halawa though it may have also grown at one time on Maui and Lana'i while Brighamia insignis is native to the sea cliffs from sea level to 1,300 feet on the Napali Coast and Ha'upu Ridge of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The genus was named after William Tufts Brigham, the first director of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu. Our plants from seed from Seedhunt.
This information about Brighamia rockii displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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