Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Broccoli in Hawaii

A nutrition powerhouse that thrives in cool weather. Harvest the main head, then enjoy weeks of side shoots.

The Short Answer

Broccoli are cold-tolerant and do well in Hawaii's varied climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as None in Coastal Hawaii. Hawaii gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies...

Hawaii Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Hawaii you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Coastal Hawaii	11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a	None	None
Upcountry/Mountain	10a, 10b, 11a	Rare	Rare

Broccoli Planting Schedule for Hawaii

Coastal Hawaii (Zones 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a)

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Start Seeds Indoors

6 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

4 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Upcountry/Mountain (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Start Seeds Indoors

6 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

4 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Growing Broccoli in Hawaii

Broccoli in Hawaii's Climate

Broccoli requires precise timing in subtropical zones. Plant in October-November for winter harvest. Your cool season may not be cold enough for optimal heading — choose varieties bred for warm-climate production. Diamondback moth and cabbage looper are aggressive year-round in mild climates, requiring more vigilant pest management than in cold zones where winter kills pest populations.

Soil Considerations for Hawaii

Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation.

Hawaii Climate & Growing Season

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime. Broccoli can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Hawaii's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Hawaii: Coastal Hawaii (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a) has a last frost around None, while Upcountry/Mountain (10a, 10b, 11a) sees frost end around Rare. This difference matters for broccoli — but broccoli handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.

Growing Tips

Harvest main head while buds are tight. Side shoots will continue producing for weeks after the main harvest.

Companion Planting

Plant broccoli alongside these companions for better growth:

Beets Celery Onions Potatoes

Keep broccoli away from:

Tomatoes Peppers Strawberries

The Bottom Line

Broccoli can be grown successfully across Hawaii, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Coastal Hawaii gardeners should plan around a None last frost, while those in Upcountry/Mountain can typically plant later. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026