Perennial Flower

When to Plant Lavender in Hawaii

Fragrant, drought-tolerant, and beloved by pollinators. Once established, lavender rewards you for years.

The Short Answer

In Hawaii, plant lavender 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

Lavender Planting Schedule for Hawaii

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

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Start Seeds Indoors

10 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks after frost

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

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Start Seeds Indoors

10 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks after frost

Growing Lavender in Hawaii

Lavender in Hawaii's Climate

Traditional lavender struggles in subtropical humidity and warm winters. Phenomenal is the only variety with a reasonable chance in north Florida and coastal zones 9a. South of zone 9a, lavender is not viable. Consider rosemary as a drought-tolerant, fragrant Mediterranean alternative.

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.

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 lavender — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Needs excellent drainage — clay soil is lavender's enemy. Don't prune into old wood. English varieties (Lavandula angustifolia) are hardiest.

Companion Planting

Plant lavender alongside these companions for better growth:

Roses Thyme Sage

The Bottom Line

Lavender 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