Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Eggplant in Hawaii

Beautiful purple fruits that love heat even more than tomatoes. Start early indoors for best results.

The Short Answer

In Hawaii, eggplant planting dates vary by region. In Coastal Hawaii, your average last frost is around None, while Upcountry/Mountain sees its last frost around Rare. Since eggplant are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 3 weeks after frost danger has passed. Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and...

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

Eggplant Planting Schedule for Hawaii

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

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

3 wks after frost

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

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

3 wks after frost

Growing Eggplant in Hawaii

Eggplant in Hawaii's Climate

Eggplant grows during the cooler months in subtropical zones — an inverted calendar that northern gardeners find strange but that works beautifully. Plant from September through February. Florida Market is the aptly named state standard. Your warm soils and mild conditions produce excellent eggplant.

Soil Considerations for Hawaii

Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 70°F before planting eggplant outside.

Hawaii Climate & Growing Season

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime. Eggplant cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

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 eggplant — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Harvest when skin is glossy and firm. Dull skin means overripe and seedy. Use row covers if nights are cool.

Companion Planting

Plant eggplant alongside these companions for better growth:

Peppers Beans Marigolds

Keep eggplant away from:

Fennel

The Bottom Line

Eggplant 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