Root Vegetable

When to Plant Garlic in Hawaii

Plant in fall, harvest in summer. Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for the patient gardener.

The Short Answer

In Hawaii, soil conditions are an important factor for garlic. Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation. Garlic can also be planted in fall, 6 weeks before your first frost.

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

Garlic Planting Schedule for Hawaii

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

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

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

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Growing Garlic in Hawaii

Garlic in Hawaii's Climate

Softneck garlic only in subtropical zones. Plant in November-December — your mild winter is warm enough for active root and leaf growth all season. Harvest in April-May. Hardneck varieties will not bulb properly without sufficient cold. Creole garlic varieties are the most heat-adapted and may be worth seeking out from specialty suppliers.

Soil Considerations for Hawaii

Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for garlic since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Hawaii Climate & Growing Season

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime. Garlic 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 garlic — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant individual cloves pointy-side up in fall, 4-6 weeks before ground freezes. Mulch heavily. Harvest when lower leaves brown.

Companion Planting

Plant garlic alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Peppers Lettuce Beets

Keep garlic away from:

Beans Peas

The Bottom Line

Garlic 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