Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Spinach in Hawaii

Fast from seed to salad. Spinach bolts in heat, so plant early in spring and again in fall.

The Short Answer

Spinach are cold-tolerant and do well in Hawaii's varied climate. You can direct sow 6 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as None in Coastal Hawaii. Hawaii gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies...

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

Spinach Planting Schedule for Hawaii

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

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Direct Sow

6 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

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

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Direct Sow

6 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Growing Spinach in Hawaii

Spinach in Hawaii's Climate

Spinach requires the narrowest window of any green in subtropical zones. Sow from November through January only. Once temperatures exceed 70°F consistently, spinach bolts within days. Vietnamese cilantro and Malabar spinach are warm-weather alternatives that fill the same role in the kitchen.

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. Spinach 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 spinach — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring. For fall, plant 6-8 weeks before first frost.

Companion Planting

Plant spinach alongside these companions for better growth:

Strawberries Peas Radishes

The Bottom Line

Spinach 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