Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Peppers in Hawaii

From sweet bells to fiery habaneros, peppers love heat and reward patience with prolific harvests.

The Short Answer

In Hawaii, peppers 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 peppers are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 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

Peppers 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

2 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

2 wks after frost

Growing Peppers in Hawaii

Peppers in Hawaii's Climate

Peppers thrive in subtropical heat year-round. Plant from August through February for cool-season production, or grow year-round if you can manage pest pressure. Hot peppers especially love your climate — habaneros and superhots that struggle in cold zones produce abundantly in zones 9-10. Your biggest challenge is pest management in warm, humid conditions, not temperature.

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 65°F before planting peppers outside.

Hawaii Climate & Growing Season

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime. Peppers 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 peppers — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Start seeds early — peppers are slow to germinate. Wait until nights are consistently above 55°F before transplanting.

Companion Planting

Plant peppers alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Basil Carrots Onions

Keep peppers away from:

Fennel Kohlrabi

The Bottom Line

Peppers 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