When to Plant in Hawaii: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Frost is rare across Hawaii, so frost-based dates don’t apply. Plant by the UH CTAHR planting months for Hawaii at low elevation (0–1,000 feet) in the table below.
Hawaii spans USDA hardiness zones 10b–13a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Frost-based planting dates don’t apply here; see the planting table below.
Frost is rare across Hawaii: for 97 of its 97 ZIP codes (100%), the nearest NOAA station records 32°F in fewer than half of years, so there is no reliable frost date to count from. For those ZIP codes: UH CTAHR planting months for all Hawaii ZIP codes (967–968) (below).
Planting months for Hawaii at low elevation (0–1,000 feet)
For all Hawaii ZIP codes (967–968), where frost is rare, the planner uses this UH CTAHR table instead of frost dates. This table assumes low elevation; upcountry gardens may differ.
| Crop | Planting | Best planting months | Expected harvest (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PeasChinese (edible-pod) peas | Best months | Nov – DecAlso possible: Jan – Feb | Dec 31 – Mar 2160–80 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
| LettuceMignonette lettuce | Best months | Sep – AprAlso possible: May – Aug | Oct 31 – Jul 1960–80 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
| PotatoesIrish potatoes | Best months | Nov – FebAlso possible: Mar – Apr and Sep – Oct | Jan 25 – Jun 1885–110 days from planting (UF/IFAS) |
| Broccoli | Best months | Sep – Apr | No sourced estimateNo UF/IFAS days to harvest from seed for this crop |
| CabbageHead cabbage | Best months | Sep – FebAlso possible: Mar – Apr | No sourced estimateNo UF/IFAS days to harvest from seed for this crop |
| Radishes | Best months | Year round | Year round20–30 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
| Tomatoes | Best months | Sep – AprAlso possible: May – Aug | Nov 30 – Aug 1890–110 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
| Eggplant | Best months | Year round | Year round90–115 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
| Beans (bush & pole)Bush and pole green beans | Best months | Year round | Year round45–70 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
| Sweet corn | Best months | Sep – AprAlso possible: May – Aug | Nov 5 – Jul 2965–90 days from seeding (UF/IFAS) |
Source: University of Hawaii CTAHR, Home Gardening in Hawaii (B-91), Table 1, low elevations 0–1,000 feet. B-91 gives no days to harvest, so harvest uses UF/IFAS VH021 days from seeding (B-91’s table is for seeds). (UF/IFAS VH021) Harvest windows add those days to the planting dates and vary with variety and weather. This table assumes low elevation; upcountry gardens may differ. Not in this table: Spinach, Onions, Kale, Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, Pumpkins, Basil, Marigolds, Zinnias, Tulips, Daffodils, Garlic.
Hawaii USDA zone guides: Zone 10 planting guide Zone 11 planting guide
Tips for Hawaii gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
What USDA zone is Hawaii?
Hawaii spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 10b–13a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
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