Unthirsty Plant Sale Returns: Save Water With Drought-Tolerant Plants

Earlier unthirsty plant sale at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. Photo: Honolulu Board of Water Supply

Ready to expand your plant family AND conserve water? The Honolulu Board of Water Supply wants to help. After a three-year pandemic break, the popular Unthirsty Plant Sale will be back Aug. 5 at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden.

The three-acre garden nestled in Hālawa Valley specializes in drought-tolerant plants, including native species, and teaching best practices to care for them. This year’s sale will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With community awareness of the importance of fresh water higher than ever, the sale is likely to draw a crowd.

Some plants that don’t need much water are familiar, including prickly cacti, colorful bromeliads, healing aloe, rosemary to cook with and crown flower to make lei. Garden experts say the sale will also include Amaryllis, Pedilanthus tithymaloides and Stephanotis plants.

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Stephanotis plants will be for sale at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. Photo: Honolulu Board of Water Supply

Parking and Early Entry

Visitors should park along Iwaena or Iwaiwa Streets, then catch a free shuttle to 99-1268 Iwaena Street that will run along Iwaena Street from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Current members of the Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, the nonprofit community organization that provides educational programs for water conservation in landscaping, enjoy a couple benefits. They will be able to enter the sale half an hour early at 8:30 a.m. and receive a 10% discount on plants. Membership applications will be available from 9 a.m. so new members can join and get the 10% off right away at the sale.

Pedilanthus tithymaloides will be for sale at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. Photo: Honolulu Board of Water Supply

Unthirsty Plant Sale Educational Booths

A variety of organizations will be there to provide information on conservation, composting, taking care of plants and more ways to take action.

• Water officials will provide the scoop on rain barrels
• Plant doctors will answer questions about using mulch and more
• Learn how to step up your backyard composting
• Pick up free soil conditioner

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Earlier unthirsty plant sale at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. Photo: Honolulu Board of Water Supply

Can’t Go Aug. 5?

The Xeriscape garden is usually open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with tips on how to xeriscape, set up efficient irrigation, propagate water-saving native plants and nurture healthy soil. Free group tours are available by appointment as well as self-guided tours. The garden also hosts popular workshops that cover topics like making paper pots, reusable planters, lei and wreaths, all with xeriscape plants.

Unthirsty Plant Sale, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St., ‘Aiea, boardofwatersupply.com, @bwshonolulu