An improved method of cultivating kava plants (14) is disclosed in which a growth medium is formed from a mound (12) formed over a leveled bed of porou s rocks, such as volcanic cinders. The bed material is substantially free of organic matter. The mound material is comprised of gravel smaller than the b ed material, such as volcanic gravel, and includes organic matter. The kava plants (14) are grown in the mound material. The plants (14) can be harveste d by lifting the plant (14) from the mound (12) using a modified forklift assembly. Relatively high mounded rows of other material can alternatively b e used. An improved method of producing kava seedlings (14) is also disclosed in which the apical tips (32) of kava plant stems (30) are cut. After buds (36) develop along the stems (30), the stems (30) are harvested, sectioned, and used to generate a large number of seedlings (14).
