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InsightHorizon Digest

What vegetables can grow in Hawaii

Author

James Bradley

Updated on March 25, 2026

Arugula, Bush & Pole Beans, Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Collards, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Melons, Mustard, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkins, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Scallion, Spinach, Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips and Watermelon. Don’t forget the HERBS and Wildflowers!

What veggies grow best in Hawaii?

  • Kabocha pumpkin.
  • Kula onions.
  • Okra.
  • Purple sweet potato.
  • Radish.
  • Summer squash – long neck, crookneck, scallop, cocozelle, zucchini.
  • Swiss chard.
  • Taro.

What crops can be grown in Hawaii?

Today, the leading traditional crops, sugarcane and pineapple, are grown on large plantations. Sugarcane is grown on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Fruits and vegetables are grown for local consumption, while greenhouse and nursery products, papayas, macadamia nuts, and coffee are grown for export.

Can you grow a vegetable garden in Hawaii?

However, this is Hawaii and edible gardening activities can be carried out all year. Plantings of southern peas, Lima beans, pole beans, okra, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants are keeping many gardeners in fresh homegrown abundance. Seed of varieties suited to Hawaiian conditions are the most successful.

What is the best crop to grow in Hawaii?

ROOTSLEAFY GREENSGARDEN FRUITSKaloKatukCherry Tomatoes‘uala (sweet Potato)CollardsEggplant’AwaKaleKabocha SquashDaikonChardPapaya

Will zucchini grow in Hawaii?

Types of summer squash most commonly grown in Hawaii are zucchini, summer crookneck, early straight neck, white scallop, and cocozelle. Most of the variet ies or hybrids available for each type will grow well in Hawaii. Squashes can be grown on a wide variety of soil types but will do best on medium-textured soils.

What can I plant in April in Hawaii?

Sow Outdoors – Arugula, Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Melons, Onions, Radish, Summer Spinach (Malabar), Squash, Peppers, Tomatoes and Zucchini. Pretty much EVERY Herb!!! Don’t forget the Wildflowers!

Can you grow cucumbers in Hawaii?

Cucumber is a warm-weather crop that can be grown year-round in Hawai’i. Best growth is obtained when the temperature is 70°F or higher. Temperatures below 60°F or above 90°F slow growth. Many cucumber varieties require pollination to obtain fruit set.

Can you grow tomatoes year round in Hawaii?

The heat-loving tomato is well adapted to the climate of Hawaii and you can grow it year-round in almost every nook and cranny of the archipelago. The University of Hawaii has also developed varieties of tomatoes resistant to root-knot nematode, a tomato pest present on the islands.

What can you not grow in Hawaii?
  • Deciduous Trees. Trees typical of the American mainland, especially those regarded for intense fall foliage displays, are not good plants to import to try and grow in a Hawaiian landscape. …
  • Evergreen Trees. …
  • Spring Bulbs. …
  • Alpines.
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Can you grow carrots in Hawaii?

Carrot is a root crop that can be grown year-round in Hawaii, although the best quality carrots are produced during the cooler months. Carrots do best under cool grow ing conditions, at temperatures between 60 and 70oF. Tem peratures over 75oF tend to produce shorter, lighter colored roots with strong flavor.

What is Hawaii's number one crop?

Sugar cane and pineapples are Hawaii’s most valuable crops. Hawaii also produces large quantities of flowers, much for export. Coffee, macadamia nuts, avocados, bananas, guavas, papayas, tomatoes and other fruits are grown.

Can you grow spinach in Hawaii?

Spinach is a cold tolerant winter vegetable. In a 4 season climate it will grow under a row cover in the snow. Most Hawaii gardeners will tell you that New Zealand spinach is the only spinach that grows in the islands.

Can I grow strawberries in Hawaii?

Hawai’i Island draws many Alaskans to her shores. … Mountain Strawberries like the slightly cooler weather in East Hawai’i, and Mountain View Farms was the first farm to grow strawberries there. It remains only one of a handful of farms on Hawai’i’s Big Island growing strawberries year round.

Can broccoli grow in Hawaii?

In the cooler weather of Hawaii’s winters, both cauliflower and broccoli have a chance to produce a crop. They require cooler weather to produce well and should be planted in September or October in the lower elevations, depending on the varieties. Different varieties mature at different rates.

What herbs grow best in Hawaii?

Herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, ginger, lemongrass, cardamom or turmeric will grow well in Hawaii. Herbs that grow in colder climates, such as coriander, may bolt to seed before you can actually harvest the herb.

Do you need a greenhouse in Hawaii?

One of the chief benefits of greenhouse growing in Hawaii is the protection the controlled environment can offer against pests. According to the USDA, introduced insect pests, like the oriental fruit fly and melon fly, thrive year-round in the warm tropics and cause major damage to developing crops.

Does celery grow in Hawaii?

Celery grows quite easily on all the Hawaiian Islands. Since it requires water in abundance, it thrives on the windward sides, especially in the lower elevations. Patience is necessary when raising celery, as it requires a long growing season of 120 to 140 days.

Can brussel sprouts grow in Hawaii?

In general, when there hasn’t been a frost for two weeks, you are SAFE to plant your brussel sprouts outside in Hawaii!

Can you grow spaghetti squash in Hawaii?

Summer squash is a relatively easy crop to grow in Hawaii. Squashes prefer areas with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil that is medium-textured with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Higher levels of soil organic matter can improve soil condition and favor better plant growth.

How do you use opo squash?

Peel off the skin with a knife or a peeler. Slice the squash in half lengthways and remove any mature seeds. You can then cut it into slices to roast, steam, use in stir-fries, or cubes to add to soups and stews. This squash retains its firmness when it is cooked, making it ideal for many applications.

Can you grow potatoes in Hawaii?

Hawaii has become the hub for winter grow out of seed potatoes. Four more certified seed potato organizations, Idaho, Colorado, Michigan and Wisconsin, will be joining Montana and Minnesota on the north shore of Oahu for certified seed tests. … “In Hawaii the plants grow extremely fast.

Will raspberries grow in Hawaii?

Hawaii has been eating raspberries for a long time. … These plants, endemic to Hawaii, are still found on the islands of Kaua’i, Moloka’i, Maui, and Hawai’i, in wet forests at high elevations from 1,970 feet to 10,070 feet.

Can you grow watermelon in Hawaii?

Watermelons, honeydew and cantaloupes are all grown on Oahu. Hawaii watermelons in different sizes and colors are fabulous. You’ll know that they’re local when found at a farmers market or by an Island or Hawaii grown label when at a grocery store. Passionfruit (Lillikoi).

Can you grow lettuce in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, head lettuce grows well year-round at high elevations, and during the winter also at lower elevations. The leafy and semi-heads can be grown at lower elevations year-round, especially if over-head irrigated. Tables 1 and 2 list the recommended planting dates for lettuce in Hawaii.

Can apples grow in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, where they grow prolifically, they are more commonly known as mountain apples. In other parts of the Pacific, they are also known as Malay apples. They range from pale pink to brilliant, dark, ruby red.

What growing zone is Hawaii?

Zone 11 includes most of Hawaii.

Can you bring avocado from Hawaii to mainland?

Yes, if you are boarding a flight in the continental United States*, you can bring avocados through airport security in your carry-on baggage. … *If you are flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland, you cannot bring most fresh fruits and vegetables on board.

Can I bring vegetables to Hawaii?

Please be advised that you shouldn’t bring fresh fruit and vegetables to Hawaii. You’ll have to declare it and probably surrender it through the Hawaii agricultural declaration process.

What plants are illegal in Hawaii?

  • Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits.
  • Passion fruit plants and seeds.
  • Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)
  • Corn on the cob.
  • Citrus and pulpy fruits from Florida & Puerto Rico.
  • Taro and dasheen.
  • Coconuts.

Can carrots grow in tropical climates?

Cooling: Carrots prefer cooler weather but with full sun. They want well-drained soil that’s not too rich in nitrogen or compost. Mulch: Mulch is extremely important for growing carrots in the tropics. … As the carrots grow you can add more of this to keep the soil cool and moist.