How to Grow Hawaiian Maile

Prepare for Planting

• 1

  Soak the maile seeds in cold water to remove dirt, debris and parts of the fruit pulp that may still be attached. Keep the seeds in the water for at least three hours; if necessary, you can soak them for up to 24 hours.

• 2

  Remove the seeds from the water and place them on a dry paper towel. Allow them to air dry to avoid damaging the seed husks.

• 3

  Fill a pot that measures at least 12 inches in diameter with a mix of perlite and traditional potting soil. Experts at the University of Hawaii recommend using three parts perlite and one part potting soil for the highest yield.

• 4

  Place groups of two to three maile seeds at least 4 inches apart on the surface of the perlite-soil mix while wearing gardening gloves. Gently cover the seeds with a thin coating of the perlite-soil mixture. Do not bury the seeds. Instead, loosely sprinkle the mixture over them so they are barely visible.

• 5

  Sprinkle water over the planted seeds and the perlite-soil mixture. Ensure you've provided an adequate amount of water by gently pressing your finger into the soil mixture after approximately five minutes; if you remove your finger and a small amount of soil mixture sticks, you've given it the right amount of water.

• 6

  Cover the pot with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. Place the covered pot in an indoor or outdoor location where it can receive as many as eight hours of sunlight each day. Generally, maile seeds germinate best when the ambient temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, moderate fluctuations in temperature won't stop this strong plant from sprouting.

Nurturing Maile Seedlings

• 7

  Observe the plastic wrap over the pot several times a day. Check for droplets of water collecting inside. If the entire inside surface of the plastic wrap is filled with water droplets, don't water the plant. However, if 50 to 75 percent of its surface contains water droplets, remove the cover and water the plant using the same strategy you used for the initial watering.

• 8

  Remove the plastic covering when seedlings sprout tall enough to reach it. Generally, this occurs in two to four weeks.

• 9

  Water the maile seedlings, and later, full-grown maile plants, at least twice per day. Avoid soaking the soil. Instead, sprinkle small amounts of water to dampen the surface. Test to ensure you've provided adequate water by pressing your finger on the surface; if a small amount sticks to your finger, you're giving the plants enough water.