Zone 11 Planting Guide
Tropical — Florida Keys, Hawaii, Southernmost California
- Min Winter Temp
- 40 to 50 °F / 4 to 10 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- None
- First Fall Frost
- None
- Growing Season
- Year-round (365 days)
- Annual Rainfall
- 20–80 in
Climate overview
Zone 11 represents near-true tropical growing conditions within the US. Frost is essentially unknown. In the Florida Keys, the climate is heavily influenced by surrounding ocean water, keeping temperatures remarkably stable year-round and generating high humidity. Hawaii's warmer lowland areas share a similar tropical stability, with lush plant growth year-round. Gardening here focuses on managing heat, humidity, pests, and the wet/dry seasonal cycle rather than cold protection. Tropical fruits — starfruit, lychee, longan, breadfruit, jackfruit — grow alongside common vegetables. The ornamental palette includes all tropical plants without restriction.
States & regions
- Florida Keys
- Hawaii (lowlands: Hilo, Kona, parts of Maui)
- Death Valley, CA (isolated microclimate)
- Southernmost tip of Florida (Cape Sable area)
Example cities
- Key West, FL
- Key Largo, FL
- Hilo, HI
- Kona, HI
- Lahaina, HI
Soil notes
Florida Keys soils are thin, alkaline, and often sit directly on coral rock. Container gardening and raised beds are common. Hawaii has rich volcanic soils in wet areas; dry leeward coasts have thin, rocky soils.
- Temperature range
- 40 to 50 °F / 4 to 10 °C
- Growing season
- Year-round (365 days)
- Annual rainfall
- 20–80 inches
Challenges
- Intense year-round pest and disease pressure
- Rocky, alkaline soils in Florida Keys
- High humidity drives fungal issues
- Irrigation required in dry seasons
Advantages
- Unlimited growing season — 365 days
- Full tropical and exotic fruit production
- No cold-weather dormancy to plan around
- Incredible biodiversity in plantable species
Gardening strategies for Zone 11
- 1
Use container gardening to manage poor soils in the Keys
- 2
Focus on tropical staples: breadfruit, taro, sweet potato, cassava
- 3
Apply fungicides proactively during high-humidity wet season
- 4
Grow tropical fruits: lychee, starfruit, longan, jackfruit
- 5
Plant cool-season crops (lettuce, beans) in the drier, slightly cooler winter months
Monthly planting calendar
What to sow, transplant, and harvest each month in Zone 11.
Browse by sun exposure
Find the best plants for your specific spot in Zone 11.
Browse by plant category
Targeted guides for vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers in Zone 11.