Zones 11-13 (southern tip of Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico) rarely or never get frost. Here the heat and rainy summer set the calendar instead: most vegetables grow best from fall through spring, and summer is for heat lovers like okra and sweet potato.
| Plant | Type | Sun | Water Needs | Soil pH | How to Plant | When to Plant | Fall Planting? | Days to Harvest / Bloom Time | Spacing | Care Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Pepper | Vegetable | Full sun | Moderate | 6.0-6.8 | Transplant | Aug – Feb | Yes, fall and winter are the main season | 60-90 days | 18-24 in | Needs warm soil; slow in cool weather. |
| Collard Greens | Vegetable | Full sun | Moderate | 6.0-7.5 | Direct sow or transplant | Sep – Feb | Yes | 60-80 days | 18-24 in | Handles both heat and frost better than most greens. |
| Cucumber | Vegetable | Full sun | High | 6.0-7.0 | Direct sow or transplant | Sep – Mar | Yes | 50-70 days | 12-36 in | Trellis to save space and keep fruit clean. |
| Kale | Vegetable | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.0-7.5 | Direct sow or transplant | Oct – Jan | Yes, cool months only | 50-65 days | 12-18 in | Flavor sweetens after a light frost. |
| Lettuce | Vegetable | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.0-7.0 | Direct sow or transplant | Oct – Jan; give afternoon shade | Yes, cool months only | 30-60 days | 6-12 in | Cool-season crop; bolts in heat. Give afternoon shade in warm zones. |
| Okra | Vegetable | Full sun | Low | 6.0-7.0 | Direct sow | Mar – Aug | No, warm months only | 50-65 days | 12-18 in | Thrives in heat and humidity. Pick pods at 3-4 inches. |
| Sweet Potato | Vegetable | Full sun | Low | 5.5-6.5 | Plant slips (rooted cuttings) | Mar – Jun | No, plant in spring | 90-120 days | 12-18 in | Loves heat; a strong choice for southern gardens. |
| Tomato | Vegetable | Full sun | Moderate | 6.2-6.8 | Transplant | Sep – Jan; summer is too hot and wet for fruit to set | Yes, fall and winter are the main season | 60-85 days | 24-36 in | Stake or cage. Water at the base to limit leaf disease. |
| Basil | Herb | Full sun | Moderate | 6.0-7.5 | Direct sow or transplant | Feb – May and Sep – Nov | Yes | 30-60 days | 10-12 in | Pinch off flower buds to keep leaves coming. No frost tolerance. |
| Cilantro | Herb | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.2-6.8 | Direct sow | Oct – Feb | Yes, cool months only | 30-45 days | 6-8 in | Cool-season herb; bolts in heat. Sow every few weeks. |
| Lemon / Citrus | Fruit | Full sun | Moderate | 6.0-7.0 | Plant potted tree | Year-round; spring is easiest | Yes | Year 2-3 onward | 12-25 ft | Protect from frost. Grows in a large pot in cooler zones. |
| Marigold | Flower | Full sun | Low | 6.0-7.0 | Direct sow or transplant | Sep – Mar | Yes | Blooms in 45-60 days | 8-12 in | Easy from seed; popular companion plant in vegetable beds. |
| Sunflower | Flower | Full sun | Low | 6.0-7.5 | Direct sow | Feb – Apr and Sep – Oct | Yes | Blooms in 70-100 days | 6-24 in | Direct sow. Tall types may need staking. |
| Zinnia | Flower | Full sun | Low | 5.5-7.5 | Direct sow or transplant | Feb – Sep | No, warm months | Blooms in 60-70 days | 6-18 in | Direct sow after frost. Great for cutting and pollinators. |
| Hibiscus (tropical) | Shrub | Full sun | High | 6.0-7.0 | Plant potted shrub | Year-round | Yes | Nearly year-round in warm zones | 3-6 ft | Bring pots indoors below 50 F in cooler zones. |