What to Plant in August — Zone 12

Zone 12 is frost-free, but August is peak heat — plant heat-lovers, and hold cool-season crops for fall.

No frost windows apply in zone 12 (Hawaiʻi lowlands, Puerto Rico) — this list follows the heat-driven calendar instead.
Plant in AugustNotes
🍅 Tomatoes Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🫑 Peppers Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🍆 Eggplant Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🍏 Tomatillos Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🥒 Cucumbers Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🥒 Zucchini Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🎃 Winter Squash Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🎃 Pumpkins Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🍉 Watermelon Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🍈 Cantaloupe Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🌽 Sweet Corn Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🫘 Pole Beans Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🌶️ Okra Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🍠 Sweet Potatoes Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🌿 Basil Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🌻 Sunflowers Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🌸 Zinnias Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🏵️ Marigolds Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants
🌺 Nasturtiums Heat-tolerant, but shade new transplants

Frequently asked questions

What can I plant in August in zone 12?

Warm-season crops: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, cucumbers, zucchini, and 14 more. Peak heat stresses new transplants, so shade cloth and steady water matter more than timing.

Does zone 12 have a planting season at all?

Not a frost-driven one — zone 12 is frost-free, so the calendar runs on heat and rainfall. The practical rhythm: cool-season vegetables October through March, warm-season crops most of the year with a pause at peak summer heat.