Hawaii planting calendar

When to plant cilantro in Hawaii — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Hawaii is mostly USDA zone 12b (range 9a-13a). Dates below are derived from cilantro's frost tolerance and Hawaii's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cilantro planting timetable for Hawaii

Stage	When in Hawaii	Anchor
Direct-sow / set out (main)	October — February	Grown through the cool season, not summer
Shoulder sowing	September and again late February	Avoid germinating into summer heat
First harvest	~50 days after sowing (late autumn through spring)	50-day crop

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Hawaii's climate shifts the cilantro dates

Hawaii flips the calendar: its winter is the productive cilantro season while northern states are frozen, and its summer is the off-season. Hawaii is frost-free at sea level and tropical year-round. Elevation, rainfall, and microclimate matter far more than any cold zone.

Cilantro resents transplanting and should always be direct-sown; its taproot breaks easily and transplant shock triggers immediate bolting. Sow 2-3 weeks before the last spring frost when soil is 10-29 °C, then succession-sow every 2-3 weeks through early summer, stopping once daytime temperatures consistently exceed 27 °C (80 °F) — above that threshold the plant bolts within days and goes straight to seed. In zones 8-11 cilantro is best grown as a fall and winter crop.

Frost-risk note

Frost is essentially a non-issue here — heat, not cold, ends the crop.

Regional variation within Hawaii

the coastal lowlands of all islands (zone 13a) can sow earliest in autumn and latest into late winter; the upper slopes of Mauna Kea and Haleakala (zone 9a) has a slightly shorter, frost-bracketed window.

Honolulu — USDA zone 12b
Hilo — USDA zone 12a
Kailua-Kona — USDA zone 12b
Lihue — USDA zone 12b

What else to plant in Hawaii around then

The same cool window suits other greens, brassicas, peas, carrots, and radishes — fill beds October through February.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun to partial shade — 4-6 hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 10-29 °C (50-85 °F).
Spacing: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~50 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant cilantro in Hawaii?

In Hawaii (mostly USDA zone 12b), grow cilantro as a cool-season crop: direct-sow from October through February, harvest ~50 days later, and skip summer entirely — heat above 24 °C bolts it. Cilantro are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

What USDA zone is Hawaii?

Most of Hawaii sits in USDA hardiness zone 12b, with the state spanning roughly 9a-13a from the upper slopes of Mauna Kea and Haleakala (zone 9a) to the coastal lowlands of all islands (zone 13a). The last spring frost averages no frost and the first fall frost no frost.

Can you grow cilantro in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii's dominant zone 12b supports cilantro — the key is timing. Cilantro are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

Does the planting date change across Hawaii?

What else can I plant in Hawaii around the same time?

The same cool window suits other greens, brassicas, peas, carrots, and radishes — fill beds October through February.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.