Panax – a great privacy hedge in Hawaiʻi

Panax, Polyscias guilfoylei, is a very useful plant for privacy hedges and for windbreaks. It can reach up to 25 feet or higher and tends to grow vertically. Panax grow great from cuttings 16″ or longer planted straight into the soil, and even do well in deficient soils. They do need sufficient watering or rainfall as they are not drought tolerant. They require little maintenance, just a bit of trimming if branches go sideways.

For a tightly spaced hedge or windbreak, plant 2 feet apart in the ground. They can also be started in pots in partial shade and planted out once sufficient roots have developed.