Hilo Farmers Market comes alive with the colors and scents of Hawaii’s freshest plants and flowers. Stalls overflow with tropical greenery and eye-catching blooms that brighten the day.
Friendly local growers share their knowledge and love for every plant. From rare orchids to vibrant foliage, there’s plenty to admire and take home.
Every step through the market feels like a little adventure in paradise.
1. Bird of Paradise
Nothing says tropical Hawaii like this stunning orange and blue flower that resembles an exotic bird in flight. Local growers at the Hilo market often have freshly cut stems ready for arrangements.
The unique shape makes it perfect for centerpieces that last over a week. Hawaii’s climate creates ideal growing conditions, producing more vibrant colors than those grown elsewhere.
2. Anthurium
Glossy heart-shaped blooms in brilliant reds, pinks, and whites catch everyone’s eye at the market stalls. Hawaii’s volcanic soil gives these flowers their exceptional shine and longevity.
You’ll find varieties here that rarely appear in mainland stores. Many Hawaii residents consider anthuriums the perfect gift for expressing love and hospitality to visitors.
3. Protea
With their otherworldly appearance, proteas look like something from a science fiction movie. The unusual spiky shapes and sunset colors make them conversation starters in any arrangement.
They grow beautifully on Hawaii’s volcanic slopes where the drainage is perfect. Many Hawaii florists at the market will tell you these flowers can last for weeks or even months when dried properly.
4. Heliconia
Resembling colorful lobster claws, these dramatic flowers hang from tall stems in vibrant yellows, reds and oranges. You’ll spot them immediately at the busier market stalls where Hawaii’s most experienced growers display their finest specimens.
They’re surprisingly sturdy despite their exotic appearance. Many Hawaii hotels use heliconias in their lobby arrangements because they maintain their beauty for up to two weeks.
5. Plumeria
The sweet fragrance will reach you before you even see these classic Hawaiian lei flowers. Their simple five-petal design comes in whites, yellows, pinks, and sunset blends that perfectly capture Hawaii’s relaxed beauty.
Many Hawaii locals pick plumeria from their own yards. At the market, you’ll find both loose blooms for making leis and potted plants to take home as living souvenirs.
6. Orchids
From tiny dancing ladies to dramatic cattleyas, Hawaii’s diverse orchid selection will amaze even experienced collectors. The humid climate of the Big Island creates perfect growing conditions for these delicate beauties.
Farmers often bring rare varieties you won’t find in commercial nurseries. Hawaii’s orchid growers are usually happy to share growing tips with visitors interested in taking potted specimens back to their hotels.
7. Ti Plants
Sacred to native Hawaiians, these glossy-leaved plants come in green, red, pink, and striking variegated patterns. They’re incredibly versatile – used for cooking, decoration, and even traditional ceremonies across Hawaii.
Many market vendors sell small potted specimens that travel well. The leaves are often used to wrap traditional Hawaiian foods, giving dishes a subtle sweet flavor unique to Hawaii’s culinary traditions.
8. Ginger Flowers
The intoxicating scent of ginger flowers fills entire sections of the market on busy days. Hawaii’s warm climate produces exceptionally fragrant varieties in shades of pink, red, and white.
Many Hawaii chefs shop here for edible varieties to use in local cuisine. The flowers last remarkably well in arrangements, continuing to unfurl new blooms for days after being cut.
9. Monstera Leaves
These dramatic split leaves have become incredibly popular in modern home décor. Hawaii’s perfect growing conditions produce specimens with exceptionally deep cuts and impressive size.
Market vendors often sell single leaves for arrangements or small plants for growing. The Swiss-cheese pattern creates natural artwork that captures Hawaii’s lush tropical aesthetic in a single dramatic leaf.
10. Pineapple Plants
Beyond just the delicious fruit, entire pineapple plants make striking additions to gardens and patios. Their spiky blue-green leaves and compact growth create living sculptures unique to Hawaii’s agricultural heritage.
Some Hawaii growers sell ornamental varieties with pink-tinged leaves or miniature fruits. The plants are surprisingly easy to grow and make wonderful souvenirs that remind visitors of their time in Hawaii’s tropical paradise.
11. Taro
With heart-shaped leaves and vibrant purple stems, taro plants offer both beauty and cultural significance. This staple crop forms the foundation of poi, a traditional Hawaiian food that sustained generations of islanders.
Many Hawaii families still grow taro in home gardens. At the market, you’ll find both ornamental varieties and edible corms sold by farmers who continue centuries-old growing traditions.
12. Breadfruit
The distinctive lobed leaves of breadfruit trees make them instantly recognizable at plant vendors’ stalls. These important food trees produce starchy fruits that have fed Hawaii’s people for centuries.
Young plants adapt well to container growing in the right climate. Hawaii’s sustainable agriculture movement has renewed interest in these trees as valuable food sources that require minimal care once established.
13. Hibiscus
Hawaii’s state flower appears in countless varieties throughout the market, from dinner-plate-sized blooms to delicate miniatures. The colors range from subtle pastels to eye-popping brights that capture Hawaii’s joyful spirit.
Many growers offer cuttings that root easily in water. Hawaii’s perfect growing conditions produce hibiscus varieties with exceptional flower size and vivid colors not seen in mainland nurseries.