Hawaii Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Hawaii gardeners.

Zone 10a Zone 10b Zone 11a Zone 11b Zone 12a Zone 12b Zone 13a

The Short Answer

Hawaii spans USDA zones 10a through 13a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Coastal Hawaii has an average last frost around None, while Upcountry/Mountain sees its last frost around Rare. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Hawaii Frost Dates by Region

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Coastal Hawaii	11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a	None	None
Upcountry/Mountain	10a, 10b, 11a	Rare	Rare

Soil & Growing Conditions

Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation.

What to Plant in Hawaii

Hawaii's near-tropical climate means your growing calendar is inverted — cool-season crops in winter, heat-tolerant crops in summer, and tropical plants year-round:

Tropical & Heat Lovers (Year-Round)

Okra Sweet Potatoes Eggplant Basil

Cool-Season Window (Oct–Mar)

Tomatoes Peppers Lettuce Broccoli Carrots Kale Peas Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cucumbers

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026