USDA Hardiness Zone 11 Planting Guide
Zone 11 covers locations where the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature ranges from 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This page covers both subzones: zone 11a (40 to 45 degrees F) and zone 11b (45 to 50 degrees F).
Zone 11 Overview
Zone 11 encompasses Hawaii, the Florida Keys, and tropical territories where minimum temperatures stay between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Frost is essentially unknown, and the climate is fully tropical. Gardening in zone 11 is a year-round activity defined by rainfall patterns, wind exposure, and soil conditions rather than temperature extremes. The growing possibilities are extraordinary: nearly any tropical plant from around the world can be cultivated outdoors. The challenges are equally distinctive: tropical pest pressure, intense rainfall during wet seasons, salt spray in coastal areas, and soil conditions ranging from volcanic to coral-based.
Zone 11 Temperature Ranges
| Subzone | Min Temp (°F) | Max Temp (°F) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11a | 40°F | 45°F | Hawaii and Key West; year-round tropical gardening |
| 11b | 45°F | 50°F | Tropical Hawaii; no frost risk |
Plants for Zone 11
Zone 11 supports the full tropical plant palette. Breadfruit, cacao, coffee, vanilla, tropical spices (cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric), and all tropical fruits grow outdoors. Orchids, heliconias, gingers, and tropical palms create dramatic landscapes. Plumeria, hibiscus, bougainvillea, and tropical vines flourish year-round. Traditional temperate plants that require winter dormancy cannot be grown. Some temperate crops like lettuce and broccoli can be grown during the coolest months at higher elevations in Hawaii.
Vegetable Gardening in Zone 11
Zone 11 vegetable gardening is year-round and dominated by tropical and subtropical crops. Sweet potatoes, taro, cassava, breadfruit, and tropical beans provide starchy staples. Tropical greens like Okinawan spinach, water spinach, and Malabar spinach replace temperate lettuce and spinach. Tomatoes and peppers grow year-round but may need disease-resistant varieties and pest management. Eggplant, okra, and tropical squashes produce continuously. Temperate vegetables can be grown at higher elevations where nighttime temperatures are cooler. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint need succession planting as they bolt quickly in tropical heat.
Frost Protection & Season Tips for Zone 11
Frost protection is not a consideration in zone 11. Garden management focuses on wind protection (especially in Hawaii's trade wind areas), irrigation during dry periods, soil building in volcanic or coral-based soils, and managing tropical pest populations year-round. Mulching heavily conserves moisture and builds organic matter in soils that decompose it rapidly. Windbreak plantings and structural wind protection allow more delicate plants to thrive in exposed locations.
Cities in Zone 11
The following cities in our database fall within zone 11. Click any city for detailed frost dates and planting calendars.