Hot Weather Vegetables Are Possible

If you’re living in a hot climate, then chances are that you already know what vegetables grow in hot weather. If you’re new to a hot climate, or, trying to ameliorate a heatwave in your area in any given season, this may help.

Living in a hot climate should not keep you from gardening and growing vegetables. Rather, success is just a matter of choosing the best vegetables for hot climates.

No matter if you’re looking for vegetables that grow in south or southwest, from Texas, Arizona, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, or one of the Carolinas, there is something for every garden.

Remember, there are a number of countries far south of us that grow vegetables. So many of best vegetables to grow in hot weather naturally hail from warm climate countries, or they were carefully cultivated to like growing in hot summer climates.

So if you’re looking for ideas on what vegetables to grow in hot weather, we have you covered. 

What Vegetables Grow in Hot Weather

CORN

USDA Zones: 2 – 11

Water Needs

Corn needs consistent water in loamy, well-draining soil. Sweet corn needs more water than “regular” field corn, though too much water in sweet corn will dilute the sweet and sugary flavors, especially if it rains right before the corn is harvested. Most corn needs an inch of water every week.

Heat Resistant Corn Cultivars

• Glass Gem Flint Corn
• Honey and Cream Sweet Corn
• Painted Hill Sweet Corn
• Robust Popcorn
• Sweet Ambrosia
• True Gold Sweet Corn

CUCUMBERS

USDA Zones: 4 – 12

Water Needs

Cucumbers need at least an inch of water per week, though two inches is generally better. It is crucial that your cucumbers are getting watered consistently and on a regular schedule. Irregular watering leads to bitter cucumbers and deformities.

Heat Resistant Cucumber Cultivars

• Ashley
• Boston Pickling
• Armenian
• Beit Alpha
• Dasher II
• Diva
• Eureka
• Homemade Pickle
• Olympian
• Picklebush
• Spacemaster
• Supremo

EGGPLANTS

USDA Zones: 9b – 12a

Water Needs

It prefers loamy but well-draining soil that is frequently and consistently watered. Sharp drainage is important for eggplant because it does not tolerate soggy roots well at all.

Heat Resistant Eggplant Cultivars

• Epic
• Florida High Bush
• Millionaire
• Orient Express
• Piccolo
• Traviata

GREEN BEANS

USDA Zones: 2 and up

Water Needs

Well-draining loamy but moist soil that is watered about an inch of water every week. Take care to not splash the beans or leaves with water or soil because it can cause several types of soil-borne diseases. If green beans aren’t given enough water, they will dry up and stop flowering.

Heat Resistant Green Bean Cultivars

• Blue Lake
• Contender
• Chiba Green Edamame
• Jade Bush
• Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean
• Roma

MELONS

USDA Zones: 5 and up

Water Needs

Each plant needs approximately two gallons of water every week, and almost no water during their final weeks of production. Going through a mild drought before harvest concentrates the flavors and sweetness of the melons, making them taste better.

Heat Resistant Melon Cultivars

• Ambrosia
• Bush Watermelon
• El Gordo Hybrid Cantaloupe
• Galia
• Gold Star
• Honeydew
• Iroquois
• Morning Dew
• Pulsar
• Picnic Watermelon
• Sarah’s Choice Hybrid Cantaloupe

NOODLE (YARD LONG) BEANS

USDA Zones 2 and up as annuals, or twelve and up as perennials

Water Needs

They need dry, loose and sandy soil and about an inch of water per week. They can tolerate drought, but this will limit their bean production.

Heat Resistant Noodle Bean Cultivars

• Chinese Green Noodle Bean
• Chinese Red Noodle Bean
• Taiwan Yard Long
• Thai Soldier Long Bean

OKRA

USDA Zones: 2 – 11

Water Needs

Okra needs at least an inch of water per week. While okra thrives in heat, and can tolerate short dry periods, it is not good for the plant or the taste and texture of the okra taste. It likes soil that is rich in nutrients, well-draining, but consistently moist.

Okra Origins

Almost all types of okra thrive in hot conditions because of their origins in Ethiopia. You can find lots more on how to grow okra, plus recipes here.

Some Popular Okra Cultivars

• Baby Bubba Hybrid
• Cow Horn
• Emerald
• Perkins Long Pod
• Red Burgundy

You can choose dwarf varieties of okra for growing okra in pots.

PEPPERS

USDA Zones: 9 and up as perennials, 2-8 as annuals.

Water Needs

Moderately moist yet well-draining soil. They can tolerate some drought, but will produce fewer peppers.

Peppers Origins

Peppers are native to Central and South America and so were born to thrive in hot climates. They prefer higher humidity too, but can also tolerate arid conditions. Almost any variety will do well in hot areas.

Beyond peppers to eat and enjoy in your favorite salsas, growing peppers provide natural pest control in the garden as well as ornamental beauty.

Some Favorites Peppers Varieties

• Ancho Chile Peppers
• Cayenne Blend Chile Peppers
• Early Jalapeno Chile Peppers
• Fish peppers
• Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers
• Orange Sun Sweet Peppers
• Santaka Chile Peppers
• Serrano Chile Peppers
• Sweet Banana Peppers
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Thai Hot Chili Peppers

SWEET POTATOES

USDA Zones: 8 – 11

Water Needs

Medium moisture in well-draining organically-rich soil. They need about an inch of water per week while growing, but less than that in their final month before harvest to prevent the tubers from splitting.

Heat Resistant Sweet Potato Cultivars

• Burgundy
• Covington
• Garnet
• Heart O’ Gold
• Mahon Yam
• O’ Henry
• Sumor

TOMATOES

While many tomatoes won’t set fruit under high heat, there are heat tolerant tomato varieties. Consider the prevalence of tomatoes in Mexican and South American cooking, we figured there must be options for growing tomatoes in hot climates.

Tomatoes That Grow in Hot Weather

• Arkansas Traveler – Handles high heat, humidity, drought and resists splitting.
• Big Beef – Tolerates heat, disease resistant, big and juicy.
• Black Krim – Very productive, heat tolerant and disease resistant.
• Bush Early Girl – Disease resistant, heat tolerant and easy to grow. 
• Cherokee Purple – Early tomato and heat tolerant.
• Isis Candy – This small early producing tomato is heat and drought tolerant.
• Super Sioux – Able to thrive in hot dry climates.
• Super Sweet 100 – Grows well in all climates including hot and dry areas.
• Sweet Million – Grows well in hot and dry climates; resists cracking and disease.
• Virginia Sweets – Heat tolerant and resistant to cracking. 

REFERENCE: Sandia Seed Company. 

ZUCCHINI

USDA Zones: 3 – 9 as annuals, 10 and up as perennials

Water Needs

One to two inches of water per week, in loamy or sandy soil that is well drained yet moist.

Heat Resistant Zucchini Cultivars

• Black forest zucchini
• Dunja
• Emerald Delight
• Golden Glory
• Korean
• Spineless Perfection

What Vegetables Grow in Very Hot Weather

BLACK-EYED PEAS, AKA COWPEAS – Vigna unguiculata

USDA Zones:

Water Needs

Heat Resistant Cultivars:

NEW ZEALAND SPINACH, Tetragonia tetragonioides

USDA Zones: 8 and up as a perennial, 7 and below as an annual

Water Needs

This spinach is moderately drought tolerant but it is best to stick to a consistent watering schedule to ensure the healthiest greens. It needs about an inch of water every week. The soil should be moist but never soggy.

Heat Resistant Cultivars

New Zealand Spinach is a heat-resistant variety of spinach that is available for gardeners.

Growing Vegetables in Hot Climates

Some vegetables, like okra, truly thrive in excessive heat and direct sunlight, while others simply tolerate it. It’s important to know which is which so you can plan your garden layout accordingly and make accommodations for your vegetables that will need the most assistance.

Different species of plants will also tolerate humidity differently. Vegetables that grow in Arizona, where it is arid, may not do as well in humid Florida. So keep in mind not just the watering needs but also the humidity needs for your plants.

Hybrids Help

These days there are vast numbers of and accommodating cultivars available. Just because one plant variety isn’t ideal for your climate doesn’t mean that there isn’t a hybrid or cultivar out there that could work for you.

Helping All Plants Survive Heat Waves

With unprecedented heat waves in parts of the world, gardeners are trying to help plants that aren’t normally as heat resilient, to get through it.

So we’ve created some quick tips to help out those plants that may tolerate heat, but don’t love it.

Tips for Protecting Plants Against Extreme Heat

• SHADE: Use shade cloth or shade tunnels. Reducing direct sunlight can lower the overall temperature of the plant. It can also prevent ‘sunburn’ on the plant too.
• WATER: Water consistently on a regular basis, and consider installing olla pots and/or a drip irrigation system on a timer. Don’t wait for wilt to happen, as this adds undue stress to the plant and can stunt or otherwise inhibit growth and vegetable production.
• COMPANION PLANTS: Interplant tall vegetables with shorter ones. Amaranth, sunflowers, corn, and sorghum can protect your smaller plants that need a break from that brutal sunshine. You can also use a shade trellis or cattle panel archway for vining plants, such as tromboncino squash or Tetsukabuto squash. Then plant other more sensitive plants under the protective shade of that vining plant.
• COMPANION TREES: Plant your garden near dwarf fruit trees. Dwarf fruit trees do not grow as tall as other trees; they provide shade for part of the day and can work as a windbreak. Other trees strategically placed, can also work. It is best to let your garden be to the east or west of the trees, as they will provide the most protection from the sun in these areas.
• ORGANIC COMPOST: Make sure your soil has healthy levels of organic matter. Good quality soil and organic compost can provide your plant with the nutrients and energy it needs to make it through those especially brutal days.
• MULCH: Swap out pavement, brick, concrete, and crushed stones for clover, mulch, or native grasses. While an attractive and common landscape feature of southwestern yards, these materials contribute to the urban heat effect, so avoid them if at all possible.
• RAISED BEDS: Don’t use raised garden beds (if you have a choice). Garden beds, especially metal ones, heat up easier and dry out much quicker than traditional “in the ground” sowing. Work to improve and amend your garden’s natural soil, rather than using raised beds and purchased soil. However, if you prefer raised bed gardening, consider deep mulch over your raised beds to help retain moisture and coolness.

What Perennial Vegetables Grow in Hot Weather

• Artichoke, Globe variety, USDA Zones: 8 – 11; needs 1-2″ of water every week.
• Egyptian Walking Onion
• Okra
• Peppers
• Potatoes

Are Potatoes Perennials?

Yes, potatoes are perennial, but are often treated as annuals in the United States just for the sake of simplicity and ease. We covered more on potatoes in the above section.

What Annual Vegetables Grow in Hot Weather?

7 Vegetables to Grow in Hot Weather

1. Corn
2. Cucumbers
3. Eggplant
4. Okra
5. Peppers
6. Tomatillos
7. Zucchini

What Herbs Grow in Hot Weather?

6 Herbs That Thrive in Hot Weather

1. Amaranth – see our article on growing amaranth
2. Basil
3. Lavender
4. Mint
5. Rosemary
6. Sage

Mint

USDA Zones: 3 – 11

Water Needs: Needs moist loamy soil that is well-drained. An inch of water per week is ideal.

Basil

USDA Zones: 10 – 11 as a perennial, in all of the other USDA hardiness zones it is an annual.

Water Needs: Basil does best when it is on a regular watering schedule and gets deep waterings each time. It needs about an inch and a half of water every week.

Amaranth

USDA Zones: 2 – 11

Water Needs: Moist but well draining soil with consistent watering schedules.

RELATED: Growing Amaranth

Lavender

USDA Zones: 5a – 9a

Water Needs: Lavender needs dry, well-draining soil that is at least partially sandy. It is extremely drought tolerant after it has matured enough to be established. Too much water will lead to several issues, including root rot and fungal disease.

RELATED: Growing Lavender and How to Make Lavender Oil

Russian Sage

USDA Zones: 3a – 9b

Water Needs: Russian Sage needs well-drained soil that is somewhat dry. It tolerates heat and direct sunlight almost perfectly.

Rosemary

USDA Zones: 8 – 10

Water Needs: Rosemary is drought-resistant and should never be overwatered. It is better for the plant to underwater it, than to overwater it.

RELATED: Rosemary health benefits, and drying rosemary.

Flowers That Grow in Hot Weather

Roselle Hibiscus

While not a vegetable, the Roselle hibiscus make the best hibiscus flower tea! So when Shannon posted her comment, we knew we needed to add it here.

“All mine are in hot weather from April to October in Alabama, zone 8a, and I love them all. Roselle is my newest long-season heat loving plant with those gorgeous red stems.”
~Shannon Schofield, gardener, beekeeper, Shannon’s Sweet Tooth Farm

See Shannon’s article on pollinator flower for bees here.