This is a comprehensive guide for vegetable gardening in USDA Zones 11-13 (Subtropical/Tropical Zones), covering regions like southern Florida, coastal Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

You should read this Vegetable gardening guide: USDA zones 11-13 alongside our monthly vegetable gardening calendar – USDA zones 11-13, which sets out all you sowing, planting and harvesting task on a month by month basis.

Key Characteristics of Tropical Zone Gardening:

1. Year-Round Growing: With minimal to no frost risk, many vegetables can be grown throughout the year, though with different optimal windows based on wet/dry seasons rather than temperature.
2. Rainy vs. Dry Seasons: Rather than being organized around temperature changes, tropical gardening follows rainfall patterns, with planting coordinated with the onset of rainy seasons for many crops.
3. Tropical-Specific Vegetables: This guides highlight many vegetables that don’t appear in temperate zone guides, such as malanga, cassava, bitter melon, and winged beans, which thrive in hot, humid conditions.
4. Heat and Humidity Challenges: The guides address the challenges of extreme heat and humidity, which can cause disease issues and affect flowering/fruiting in some crops.
5. Perennial Production: Many vegetables that are grown as annuals in colder zones can be grown as perennials in zones 11-13, sometimes producing for years.

The Vegetable-by-Vegetable Guide:

This guide includes:

• Tropical staple crops often overlooked in temperate gardening guides
• Clear distinctions between vegetables that can and cannot thrive in tropical conditions
• Variety recommendations specifically bred for heat and humidity tolerance
• Year-round planting windows coordinated with wet/dry seasons
• Guidance on the perennial nature of many vegetables in these zones

Vegetable Planting Guide for USDA Zones 11-13

Aubergine (Eggplant)

Sow: Year-round with peak times Sep-Feb

Transplant: Year-round, 1 month after sowing

Harvest: Year-round, 60-80 days after transplanting

Eggplants thrive in tropical conditions. Long-fruited Asian varieties like ‘Ping Tung’ and ‘Thai Long Green’ perform particularly well. Also try ‘Florida Market’ and ‘Florida High Bush’ developed for hot, humid conditions. They can produce continuously for 1-2 years as perennials in these zones. Provide afternoon shade during hottest months.

Amaranth (Callaloo)

Sow: Year-round

Transplant: Not necessary (direct sow)

Harvest: 3-4 weeks after sowing for greens; 8-12 weeks for seed heads

Popular leafy green in Caribbean cuisine. Both leaves and young stems are edible. Cut-and-come-again harvesting extends production. ‘Green Callaloo’ and ‘Red Callaloo’ varieties are common. Heat and humidity tolerant.

Beans (Long/Yard-Long/Asparagus Beans)

Sow: Year-round with best times Sep-Apr

Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow)

Harvest: 8-10 weeks after sowing

These heat-loving bean varieties produce well in tropical conditions. ‘Red Noodle’, ‘Green Noodle’, and ‘Thai Purple’ yard-long beans thrive where other beans struggle. Provide trellising for these vigorous climbers. Can be grown year-round but produce best outside the hottest, wettest months.

Beans (Winged/Goa/Four-Angled)

Sow: Year-round with best times Sep-Apr

Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow)

Harvest: 10-12 weeks after sowing

A perennial bean that produces uniquely shaped pods with four longitudinal frills or “wings.” Very heat tolerant and thrives in humid conditions. ‘Winged Bean Thailand’ and ‘Psophocarpus tetragonolobus’ are common varieties. All parts (pods, leaves, flowers, tubers) are edible.

Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd)

Sow: Year-round with peak times Sep-Feb

Transplant: When seedlings have 2-3 true leaves

Harvest: 12-16 weeks after sowing

Popular in Asian, Caribbean, and Indian cuisines. ‘Chinese Bitter Melon’ (larger, lighter green) and ‘Indian Bitter Melon’ (smaller, darker green with pointed tubercles) are common types. Requires trellising. Very heat and humidity tolerant. Harvest when fruits are still immature for less bitterness.

Cassava (Yuca)

Plant: Year-round with best times at start of rainy season

Harvest: 8-12 months after planting

Grow from stem cuttings (8-10 inches long) planted horizontally or at an angle. Easy to grow and extremely drought tolerant once established. ‘Sweet Varieties’ are preferred for home gardens. Harvest by digging up the entire root system. Requires proper preparation to remove cyanogenic compounds before consumption.

Chayote

Plant: Beginning of rainy season

Harvest: 3-5 months after planting

Plant the entire fruit, partially buried with the narrow end up. Perennial vine that can produce for years. ‘Florida Green’ and ‘White’ varieties are common. Needs strong trellising to support heavy vines and fruit. Both fruit and growing tips are edible.

Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan/Kai-lan)

Sow: Oct-Feb

Transplant: When seedlings have 4-5 true leaves

Harvest: 6-8 weeks after transplanting

More heat-tolerant than traditional broccoli. Regular harvesting of young stems and leaves extends production. Choose bolt-resistant varieties for tropical climates. Grows best during the coolest months in zones 11-13.

Coconut

Plant: Year-round

Harvest: 12-18 months for young coconuts; 3-4 years for mature nuts

Plant partially husked mature nuts horizontally in well-draining soil. Dwarf varieties like ‘Malayan Dwarf’ and ‘Fiji Dwarf’ are good for home gardens and produce nuts earlier than tall varieties. Salt-tolerant and perfect for coastal areas.

Cucumbers

Sow: Year-round with best times Sep-Apr

Transplant: When seedlings have 2-3 true leaves

Harvest: 6-8 weeks after sowing

Disease resistance is critical in tropical zones. Asian varieties like ‘Japanese Climbing’ and ‘Suyo Long’ often perform better than Western types. Look for varieties with resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew. Trellising improves air circulation and reduces disease.

Edible-Podded Peas

Sow: Oct-Jan (coolest months only)

Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow)

Harvest: 8-10 weeks after sowing

Traditional peas struggle in tropical heat, but some edible-podded types can be grown during the coolest months. ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’ and ‘Mammoth Melting Sugar’ perform best. Plant in areas with afternoon shade and keep well-mulched to cool soil.

Ginger

Plant: Beginning of rainy season

Harvest: 8-10 months after planting for mature rhizomes; 4-6 months for young ginger

Plant small pieces of rhizome with growth buds 1-2 inches deep. ‘Hawaiian Yellow’ and ‘Chinese White’ are common varieties. Prefers partial shade in hottest regions. Can be grown as a perennial with partial harvesting. Turmeric is grown similarly.

Jicama

Sow: Year-round with best times at start of dry season

Transplant: Not recommended (direct sow)

Harvest: 5-9 months after sowing

Large tuberous root vegetable that grows on a vine. Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep. ‘San Juan’ and ‘Cristalina’ are common varieties. Only the root is edible; other parts of the plant are toxic. Requires long growing season.

Kangkong (Water Spinach)

Sow: Year-round

Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 leaves, or propagate from cuttings

Harvest: 3-4 weeks after sowing/planting

Extremely heat-tolerant leafy green that grows in wet or dry conditions. ‘Ching Quat’ (narrow leaf) and ‘Bangkok’ (wide leaf) are popular varieties. Can be grown in water gardens or regular garden beds. Fast-growing and productive. Note: Considered invasive in some areas; check local regulations.

Luffa (Loofah)

Sow: Year-round with peak times at start of rainy season

Transplant: When seedlings have 2-3 true leaves

Harvest: For edible use: 4-7 days after flowering; For sponges: when fully mature and dried

Dual-purpose vegetable. Young fruits are edible; mature dried fruits become natural sponges. ‘Smooth Luffa’ and ‘Ridged Luffa’ are common varieties. Vigorous vine that needs strong trellising. Very heat and humidity tolerant.

Malabar Spinach

Sow: Year-round

Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, or propagate from cuttings

Harvest: 6-8 weeks after sowing; continuous once established

Heat-loving leafy green that thrives when true spinach fails. ‘Red Stem’ and ‘Green Stem’ varieties are available. Climbing vine that benefits from trellising. Not related to true spinach but used similarly. Perennial in zones 11-13.

Malanga (Taro)

Plant: Beginning of rainy season

Harvest: 9-12 months after planting

Grown for its starchy corm. Plant small corms or pieces of larger corms with growing buds. ‘Malanga Blanca’ and ‘Malanga Lila’ are common varieties in Caribbean regions. Prefers consistently moist soil. Similar to taro but typically more heat tolerant.

Moringa

Sow: Year-round

Transplant: When seedlings are 6-8 inches tall

Harvest: Leaves: 3-5 months after planting; Pods: 6-8 months

Fast-growing tree with highly nutritious leaves and immature pods. Can be kept pruned as a bush for easy harvesting. ‘PKM1’ and ‘PKM2’ are improved varieties. Extremely drought tolerant once established. Perennial that can produce for years.

Mustard Greens

Sow: Oct-Feb (coolest months)

Transplant: When seedlings have 2-3 true leaves

Harvest: 3-5 weeks after transplanting

Asian mustard varieties like ‘Green Wave’, ‘Red Giant’, and ‘Mizuna’ are more heat tolerant than European types. Harvest outer leaves for extended production. Grows best during the coolest months in tropical zones.

New Zealand Spinach

Sow: Year-round

Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves

Harvest: 6-8 weeks after sowing

Not true spinach but used similarly. Extremely heat tolerant and thrives in tropical conditions. Can be grown as a perennial in zones 11-13. Harvest young growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness.

Okra

Sow: Year-round with peak times at start of rainy season

Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves

Harvest: 50-60 days after sowing

Tropical plant that thrives in hot, humid conditions. ‘Clemson Spineless’, ‘Burgundy’, and ‘Star of David’ perform well. Harvest pods when 2-4 inches long for tenderness. Can grow 6-8 feet tall and produce for many months in tropical zones.

Peppers (Hot/Chili)

Sow: Year-round with peak times Sep-Feb

Transplant: When seedlings have 6-8 true leaves

Harvest: 70-90 days after transplanting; continues for months

Hot peppers thrive in tropical conditions and can be grown as perennials, producing for years. ‘Scotch Bonnet’, ‘Habanero’, ‘Thai Bird’, and ‘Caribbean Red’ are well-adapted to zones 11-13. Disease resistance (especially to bacterial leaf spot) is important.

Pigeon Peas

Sow: Year-round with best times at start of rainy season

Transplant: When seedlings are 4-6 inches tall

Harvest: Green pods: 4-5 months; Dried peas: 6-9 months

Drought-tolerant legume grown as an annual or short-lived perennial. ‘ICPL 88039’ (dwarf) and ‘GT-1’ are productive varieties. Plants grow 3-10 feet tall depending on variety. Both green pods and dried peas are used in cooking.

Roselle (Sorrel/Hibiscus)

Sow: Beginning of rainy season

Transplant: When seedlings have 4-5 true leaves

Harvest: Calyces: 3-4 weeks after flowering; Leaves: throughout growing season

Grown for edible calyces (used for teas, drinks, and preserves) and leaves. ‘Thai Red’ and ‘Victor’ are productive varieties. Plants grow 4-7 feet tall. Extremely heat tolerant and resistant to most pests.

Sweet Potatoes

Plant: Year-round with peak times at start of rainy season

Harvest: 3-5 months after planting

Grow from slips (rooted sprouts) or vine cuttings. ‘Beauregard’, ‘Jewel’, and ‘Cuban Red’ perform well in tropical zones. Can be grown continuously in rotation. Both roots and young leaves/shoots are edible. Very heat and humidity tolerant.

Taro

Plant: Beginning of rainy season

Harvest: 7-10 months after planting

Grown for its starchy corm. Plant small corms or pieces with growing buds. ‘Bun Long’ and ‘Lehua Maoli’ are common varieties. Prefers consistently moist soil but some varieties can grow in drier conditions. Both corms and young leaves can be eaten (after proper cooking to remove calcium oxalate).

Tomatoes (Heat-tolerant)

Sow: Oct-Feb (cooler months)

Transplant: When seedlings have 5-6 true leaves

Harvest: 70-85 days after transplanting

Traditional tomatoes struggle in extreme heat and humidity. Choose specially developed heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Heatmaster’, ‘Solar Fire’, ‘Florida 91’, and cherry types like ‘Everglades’ and ‘Sweet 100’. Growing during slightly cooler months improves success. Disease resistance is critical, especially to bacterial wilt and fungal diseases.

Turmeric

Plant: Beginning of rainy season

Harvest: 8-10 months after planting

Plant rhizome pieces with growth buds 2 inches deep. ‘Alleppey’ and ‘Madras’ are common varieties. Prefers partial shade in hottest regions. Can be grown as a perennial with partial harvesting. Grown similarly to ginger.

Winged Bean (Four-Angled Bean)

Sow: Year-round with best times Sep-Apr

Transplant: When seedlings have 3-4 true leaves

Harvest: Pods: 60-90 days after sowing; Tubers: 8-10 months

Tropical legume where all parts are edible (pods, leaves, flowers, seeds, and tubers). ‘Thailand’ and ‘Bogor’ are common varieties. Vining plant that requires trellising. Very heat and humidity tolerant.

Yams (True Yams)

Plant: Beginning of rainy season

Harvest: 8-11 months after planting

Different from sweet potatoes. Plant small tubers or pieces with “eyes.” ‘White Yam’ (Dioscorea alata) and ‘Yellow Yam’ (Dioscorea cayenensis) are common in tropical regions. Vining plant that benefits from trellising. Requires long growing season.

Vegetables to Avoid in Zones 11-13

The following vegetables generally perform poorly in tropical zones 11-13 and are not recommended:

• Artichokes (requires cold period)
• Asparagus (requires dormancy period)
• Broad Beans/Fava Beans (cannot tolerate high heat)
• Brussels Sprouts (requires cool temperatures)
• Cauliflower (except for tropical cauliflower varieties)
• Celery/Celeriac (heat causes stringiness and bitterness)
• Garlic (requires cold period for bulb formation)
• Leeks (poor bulb development in tropical heat)
• Parsnips (requires cool soil for sweetness development)
• Peas (except some edible-podded types during coolest months)
• Rhubarb (requires cold dormancy period)
• Rutabaga/Swedes (requires cool temperatures)
• Spinach (true spinach bolts immediately in tropical heat)