What does that mean?Įssentially, each kava plant has to be cultivated from a node on a segment of the stalk.

How does Kava grow?Īs a quick summary, growing kava is different from other plants in that you don’t use kava seeds you use kava plant stem cuttings. You can also just buy kava powder from reputable sellers, like this one. Note, up front, that this guide will be by nature limited, and that if you’re really curious there are a few books you can check out, one of the most popular being Pacific Kava: A Producer’s Guide. This guide will teach you what supplies you need to start growing kava, tips from top kava farmers, how to cultivate kava plants with high kavalactone content and what to do with the kava plant and kava root once you’ve harvested your kava. Even if you’re not in the South Pacific, however, there are ways to make it work. It’s typically grown in the Pacific Islands, with notable roots in Hawaii, Fiji, and Vanuatu. It’s not the most difficult plant to grow, but kava (AKA kava kava, or more scientifically, piper methysticum) does merit its specific challenges. To grow the kava plant, you need to have at least a small background in basic gardening. Growing kava isn’t for the casual sipper, but if you’re among the subset interested in horticultural matters, you’ll find this article useful.