What Grows in Kailua Kona, HI?
Kailua Kona, Hawaii is in USDA Hardiness Zone 12b.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Kailua Kona is in USDA Zone 12b with about 365 frost-free days.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost no frost, first frost no frost.
Ginger, Bitter Melon (Karela), Moringa (Drumstick Tree)
What grows well in Kailua Kona
Frequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Kailua Kona, HI in?
Kailua Kona, HI is in USDA Hardiness Zone 12b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Kailua Kona?
The average last spring frost in Kailua Kona is around no frost, and the first fall frost is typically no frost. Plan to move tender plants outside after no frost and have them harvested (or protected) before no frost.
What grows well in Kailua Kona?
Kailua Kona supports 3+ crops in USDA Zone 12b — see the full grow list above.
How long is Kailua Kona's growing season?
Kailua Kona typically has around 365 frost-free days per year (roughly no frost to no frost). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Kailua Kona?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Bitter Melon (Karela), Moringa (Drumstick Tree), Ginger are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Kailua Kona.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Kailua Kona?
Yes — Kailua Kona's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Ginger, Bitter Melon (Karela), Moringa (Drumstick Tree) all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Kailua Kona?
For warm-season crops like Ginger, Bitter Melon (Karela), Moringa (Drumstick Tree), start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around no frost), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.