Kava (ʻawa)
Piper methysticum
The ceremonial root drink of the Pacific, carried by canoe from Vanuatu to Hawaiʻi; a shade plant raised from stem cuttings.
Hardiness: zones 11 to 12
Light: part shade
Size: about 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide
Harvest: year-round
From: Vanuatu
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, traditional use.
Native to: Hawaiʻi & Pacific Islands, New Guinea & Melanesia. Hardy in zones 11 to 12.
The story
Kava was brought into cultivation in northern Vanuatu about 3,000 years ago and carried by canoe as far as Hawaiʻi, where it is ʻawa. Sharing a bowl opens meetings, seals agreements and welcomes guests across the Pacific.
Planting
Shade, shelter, warmth and deep, loose, well-drained soil. It is grown from stem cuttings; it sets no seed.
Growing
Mulch and water regularly. Plants need three to five years to build good roots.
Harvest and use
The root and stump are washed, pounded or ground, kneaded in water and strained, then drunk fresh.
What to watch for
It makes the mouth numb and the body drowsy, so no driving afterward. Heavy use, or use with alcohol or liver problems, is unsafe, and some countries restrict it.
Safety
Kava has been linked to rare but serious liver injury, and several countries have restricted kava supplements. Don't mix it with alcohol or sedatives, and skip it with liver problems, in pregnancy or before driving.
Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.
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More perennial vegetables, greens and herbs
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home