Planting Zones Hawaii - Hardiness, Gardening & Climate Zone (2024)

USDA Hawaii Hardiness Zones: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a

Planting Zones Hawaii - Hardiness, Gardening & Climate Zone (1)

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Hawaii’s weather is beautiful year-round with its tropical conditions.

For most of Hawaii, summer temperatures average in the high eighties, while winter temperatures are primarily in the lower eighties.

Hawaii has wet and dry seasons, and mountain peaks over 10,000 feet can see snow.

The oceans surrounding the Hawaiian Islands and the mountains found throughout help mitigate the climate, keeping it mild. They also provide varying climate zones throughout the state.

Hawaii just doesn’t have extremely cold winters or brutally hot summers. As a result, even thunderstorms and hurricanes are not as common as in the continental US.

Hawaii Planting Zone – A Quick Overview:

If you live in any of the coastal areas in Hawaii, you’re probably living in zone 12b or planting zone 13a.
Most of the island of Oahu is in 12a, while the coasts are 12b.
On the other hand, Maui has a more extensive range of Hawaii climate zones. You’ll find 12b around the coastal areas, but as you move inland, the climate zone gets lower and lower, with the centermost regions being climate zone 10a.
On the main island, Hawaii climate zones are 12b and 13a at the very edges of the coast, but again, the further inland you move, the lower the climate zone. So if you live near Hawaii National park, it is likely you are in planting zone 11a and if you live in the central areas of the island, you’ll be in Zone 9a or 9b.

Using the Hawaii Growing Zones Map

If you are looking for your Hawaii gardening zone, you’ll be able to find it by using the 2012 USDA map data.

The USDA plant hardiness zones were created as a guide to help gardeners and farmers plan their gardens. The Hawaii plant hardiness zones will help you know what plants you can plant in your area and when is the best time to plant them

To find your Hawaii gardening zone, you can input your zip code into the map function, showing you the area you live. Or you can just locate your area on the hardiness map for Hawaii if that is easier for you.

The area in which you live will have a color. In this case, the colors are shades of orange and red. Match your color to the legend on the right to find your specific Hawaii hardiness zone.

Explore Our Complete US Hardiness Zone Map

Hawaii has a large number of micro-climates due to the mountainous terrain.

So, while the gardening zone the map shows will be a rough guide of your zone, it might not accurately reflect your own garden because your position in relation to the mountains may affect your zone.

Since Hawaii has a mild climate overall, you probably won’t need to adjust your climate.

But you can use buildings, boulders, and hedges to create shadier areas for your garden or to block heavy wind by creating your own micro-climates.

Hawaii: A Mild Climate for Year-Round Growing

Hawaii’s mild weather means you can grow all year long. However, cool weather crops struggle in this warm, humid climate.

For example, deciduous trees, pine trees, and bulb flowers often need that cool winter to rest and prepare to grow.

They just won’t do well in the warm climate. In addition, lots of rain and humidity during the wet seasons can cause problems for crops susceptible to fungal diseases and root rot.

According to Kauai Seascapes Nursery, Hawaii is a great place to grow those heat-loving vegetables such as peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes. You could also grow okra, pole beans, cucumbers, and zinnias.

Mulch will help keep moisture in and the temperature around the plants down, while fertilizer can help mitigate some of the poor soil quality in areas of Hawaii.