Planting zone for 96756 — Koloa, HI
ZIP code 96756 (Koloa, Kauai County) is in USDA zone 12b: the coldest winter night averages 55 to 60 °F.
Where ZIP 96756 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Was 12a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 12b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Koloa, HI…
Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.
Frost dates
A 32 °F frost doesn't happen here in most winters. At the nearest station (NOAA station Kanalohuluhulu 1075, HI — 20 miles away, elevation 3,599 ft) the median growing season is 365 days. When frost does come, it is a midwinter night or two; cover tender plants when a freeze is forecast.
Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Native plants for zone 12b in Hawaii
37 plants native to Hawaii, recorded in Hawaii, and rated by the USDA to survive 55 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 12b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 7
Shrubs 12
Wildflowers & perennials 8
Grasses 10
Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Koloa, HI.
Soil in Koloa, HI
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96756 is Waikomo — stony silty clay, well drained.
Map unit: Waikomo very rocky silty clay.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 96756; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Koloa, HI
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mahaulepu 941.1, HI (2 mi away); precipitation: Lihue WSO Airport 1020.1, HI (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 96756
What planting zone is ZIP code 96756?
ZIP code 96756 (Koloa, HI) is in USDA hardiness zone 12b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 55 to 60 °F (12.8 to 15.6 °C).
How much rain and snow does 96756 get?
About 36.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lihue WSO Airport 1020.1 station).
What kind of soil does 96756 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Waikomo at the center of ZIP 96756: stony silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).
What kind of onions grow in Koloa, HI?
Short-day onions: the longest day near 96756 is 13 h 28 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.
Did the zone for 96756 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96756 in zone 12a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 12b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.