Hawaii Planting Zones

Hawaii is unique in that there are only two seasons, summer and winter which makes Hawaii planting zones some of the most difficult to grow in. Fall foliage is not a Hawaiian spectacle that’s likely to be enjoyed. The average temperature at sea level areas is 85 degrees, and the average winter temperature dips to just 78 degrees. The state is referred to as paradise, and the climate is a reason why. A consistent tropical climate is seen and felt throughout much of the islands, although any island will see cooler temperatures in the higher-elevated mountain areas. December is the wettest month in Hawaii, and June is overall the driest. 

There is a wider range of growing zones than one would expect on the islands. Hawaii planting zones can fall anywhere from 9a to 13a. However, all of these are warmer than lower planting zones, which means you need to actively seek out plants and vegetables that will be able to withstand these hotter conditions to survive. It is important to know what Hawaii growing zones a garden will be in or else there is a greater risk of plants not surviving. Check out Gilmour’s Interactive Planting Zone Map for a simple way to determine the zone in any Hawaii region. Knowing the zone means you can choose plants that are likely to do well in a specific area. Keep in mind, most plants in the zone you are in or lower can survive. Hawaii doesn’t often present a problem in choosing plants in a higher zone since all of its zones are towards the highest in the range. 

Hawaii’s tropical climate produces some of the most gorgeous flowers in the world. Exotic blooms that are oversized and smell lovely are the norm. Hibiscus, plumeria and orchid are all in abundance across the islands. Melons, strawberries, eggplant, kula onions, celery and kabocha squash will do well in a vegetable garden. Some other vegetable, like carrots, will do exceptionally well in the cooler parts of the state, and still others, like corn and cabbage, are grown and harvested year-round.