Puerto Rico's tropical climate is a huge advantage: it lets you plant all year long. The key is choosing crops suited to heat and humidity, and combining short cycles with permanent plantings.
Tropical climate must-haves
Culantro, cilantro, sweet peppers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, heat-tolerant leaf lettuce, eggplant, squash, sweet potato, and plantains all do very well on the island. Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme thrive with good drainage, and basil grows fast and produces year-round.
Combine short and long cycles
This combination ensures there's always something ready to harvest while the rest matures.
- Short cycle (30–60 days): lettuce, radishes, cilantro, tropical spinach.
- Medium cycle (60–90 days): tomato, pepper, eggplant, cucumber.
- Permanent crops: culantro, hot peppers, plantain, dwarf fruit trees, woody herbs.
Tailor the plan to your kitchen
The best garden is the one you actually eat from. In our initial consultation, we ask what your family cooks — sofrito, salads, stews — and design the planting plan around that, not the other way around.
We design your family's planting plan. Request information.
Sources
University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Extension Service; UF/IFAS tropical crop guides.