Best plants for Hawaii
These species reliably perform in Hawaii's climate — a blend of regionally-adapted ornamentals and native plants that don't need babying once established. Start with this short list, then expand once you know your specific microclimate (slope, shade, drainage).
- Plumeria
- Hibiscus
- Ti plant
- Macadamia
- Pineapple
- Bird of paradise
- Bougainvillea
- Coconut palm
- Banana
- Coffee
Native plants of Hawaii
Natives evolved alongside Hawaii's soils, pollinators, and weather patterns, so they need almost no supplemental water or fertilizer once established. Mixing 30-50% natives into a garden dramatically improves its drought resilience and its value to local birds and pollinators.
- Ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
- Hibiscus brackenridgei (state flower)
- Naupaka
- Koa
- Ilima
For zone-specific timing and a fuller plant palette, see the gardening guide for USDA zone 9.
Your plant advisor can filter the full database to species suited to your Hawaii zone.
Frost dates and timing in Hawaii
Average last spring frost: rare (coast) to mid-April (upper Mauna Kea). Average first fall frost: rare (coast) to mid-November (upper Mauna Kea). Growing season runs about 350-365 days. As always, average dates are starting points — set seedlings out a week or two later than the average last-frost for high-value crops like tomatoes and peppers, and have row cover or frost blankets ready for an unseasonable late freeze.
Use the fall planting schedule by zone to plan your second crop, and the vegetable garden planting schedule for week-by-week spring timing.
Soils and amendment in Hawaii
Volcanic, well-draining basaltic and andisol soils, often shallow over fresh lava on the Big Island.
Challenges specific to Hawaii
Salt spray and steady trade winds in coastal areas, vog (volcanic smog) on the Big Island, invasive coqui frogs and little fire ants, and very specific microclimates within each island.
For drought-prone parts of Hawaii, see the drought-tolerant garden design guide. If your yard sits low and stays wet, the drainage fix without regrading guide covers raised beds, French drains, and bog-tolerant planting palettes.
Design your Hawaii garden in 3D
Sketch your beds, place plants to scale, and see the whole design in 3D before you buy a single one-gallon pot. The free designer filters plants by USDA zone, so anything you place is already suited to the climate in Hawaii.
Design your Hawaii garden in 3D
Free, no signup required. Filter plants by USDA zone 9a-13a and see your design rendered to scale before you buy.
Open the free 3D garden designerFrequently asked about gardening in Hawaii
›What USDA hardiness zones is Hawaii in?
Hawaii spans USDA zones 9a-13a. Hawaii is the only state to host USDA zones 12 and 13 — sea-level Honolulu and Hilo sit at 12-13, while the upper slopes of Mauna Kea can drop to zone 9a. Match plant cold-hardiness ratings to your local zone — pushing into warmer-rated species is a gamble against the next hard winter.
›When is the last spring frost in Hawaii?
Average last spring frost in Hawaii is around rare (coast) to mid-April (upper Mauna Kea), and the first fall frost typically arrives rare (coast) to mid-November (upper Mauna Kea). That gives a typical growing season of 350-365 days. Average dates are starting points — set seedlings out a week or two later than the average for safety.
›What plants grow well in Hawaii?
Reliable choices for Hawaii include Plumeria, Hibiscus, Ti plant, Macadamia. These species are matched to Hawaii's climate and soils — a blend of regionally-adapted ornamentals and natives that perform without babying once established.
›What plants are native to Hawaii?
Native plants in Hawaii include Ohia lehua, Hibiscus brackenridgei, Naupaka. Natives evolved alongside local soils, pollinators, and weather, so they typically need no supplemental water or fertilizer once established — and they support local birds and pollinators in ways non-native ornamentals can't.
›What's distinctive about gardening in Hawaii?
Hawaii is the only state where tropical fruit, coffee, and orchids grow outdoors year-round — and where you can drive from rainforest to alpine desert in 90 minutes. Salt spray and steady trade winds in coastal areas, vog (volcanic smog) on the Big Island, invasive coqui frogs and little fire ants, and very specific microclimates within each island.