 Having germinated, whau establishes itself with striking rapidity.In a study on Taranga (Hen Island), in favourable conditions whau was often the first new plant to appear, followed by "Urtica ferox" (tree nettle), "Macropiper excelsum" (kawakawa), "Coprosma macrocarpa" (coastal karamu) and "Coprosma lucida" (shiny karamu); forest-dominating trees were slower to come in – "Corynocarpus" (karaka) most quickly, followed by "Beilschmiedia tawa" (tawa).Preferring a rich moist loam, whau can be grown outdoors in sun or light shade in mild climates, or in a conservatory or glasshouse in cold climates.