Perennial

When to Plant Hostas in Hawaii

The king of shade gardens. Hostas come in hundreds of varieties and get more beautiful with each passing year.

The Short Answer

In Hawaii, plant hostas based on your regional frost dates. Coastal Hawaii has a last frost around None, while Upcountry/Mountain sees frost end around Rare. Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops...

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

Hostas Planting Schedule for Hawaii

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

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Transplant Outside

0 wks after frost

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

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Transplant Outside

0 wks after frost

Growing Hostas in Hawaii

Hostas in Hawaii's Climate

Hostas are generally not viable in subtropical zones. The combination of heat, humidity, and insufficient winter dormancy prevents proper growth. Caladiums, tropical ferns, and bromeliads fill the shade-garden role that hostas play in northern gardens.

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. Hostas 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 hostas — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant divisions or nursery plants in spring or fall. Slugs are the main enemy — use iron phosphate bait. Mulch to retain moisture.

Companion Planting

Plant hostas alongside these companions for better growth:

Ferns Astilbe Heuchera

The Bottom Line

Hostas 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