Growing from seed in Hong Kong

Plan around Hong Kong’s weather

Hong Kong has hot, humid summers and cooler winters. The Observatory reports that roughly 80% of annual rainfall falls from May to September. For a home grower, that makes exposure to rain, drainage and protection during cold weather part of the planning process. Hong Kong Observatory: Climate of Hong Kong

Our approach is to research cooler-season crops as temperatures fall, and warmer-season crops as conditions warm up. Before buying, observe when sunlight reaches your growing spot, whether rain blows in and how much space is available. Use those observations to compare individual varieties.

A few local vegetable sowing examples

These examples illustrate how local calendars work. They are not a complete planting calendar or a recommendation for every packet bearing the same crop name.

Examples of local vegetable sowing windows

Crop	Sowing window in the cited local reference
Yau mak choi, or Chinese leaf lettuce	September–March
Okra	February–July
Listed red-, pointed- and round-leaved amaranths	March–September
Listed snow peas	October–January

The first two entries come from AFCD’s seedling guide, PDF page 20. The others come from the sowing symbols on printed pages 30–31 of Vegetable Seeds Used Locally in Hong Kong. AFCD sowing chart, local vegetable seed handbook

Read sowing and harvesting symbols separately. A crop being in season does not tell you when its seeds were sown. The handbook also limits its chart to ordinary open-field cultivation; special equipment and local microclimates can change the outcome. Calendar scope and legend

Choose herbs individually

AFCD describes basil as suited to warmth, light and good drainage. Its thyme guidance includes spring and autumn sowing indoors or under shaded shelter. It also notes that rosemary has a low seed germination rate and is commonly propagated from cuttings. These differences matter when choosing a first seed project. AFCD: Organic Herb Cultivation II

We suggest starting with one herb you use regularly and keeping a separate growing record. The label “herb” does not mean different plants share a sowing date or watering routine.

Flower seeds need their own instructions

LCSD’s petunia leaflet provides a useful example: the seeds need light to germinate, require only a thin soil covering, and have a suggested sowing season of late summer to early autumn. That advice belongs to petunias; it should not become a rule for all flower seeds. LCSD petunia leaflet

For chamomile, cosmos or another flower, our buying checklist is the botanical name, variety, germination temperature, covering instructions and mature height. If a packet only gives overseas sowing months, confirm their relevance before using them as a Hong Kong calendar.

Start small and keep a record

Prepare a draining container, suitable sowing medium, labels and a gentle watering tool. Follow the packet’s instructions for seed quantity, covering and any pretreatment. RTHK’s sowing lesson emphasises fresh seed, germination temperature, light requirements and thinning crowded seedlings. RTHK: Sowing in Containers

Our suggestion is to sow a small trial first. Record the variety, sowing date, emergence date and position. Use the results to decide what to repeat or change next time.

AFCD recommends a medium that balances moisture and aeration, gentle watering, and avoiding premature feeding before root development. Check conditions instead of adding water or fertiliser automatically. AFCD: Organic Seedling Production

If a batch struggles, compare temperature, light, medium and watering with your notes. Changing one factor at a time makes your next trial more informative.

Four questions before choosing a packet

1. Does the current weather meet this variety’s germination requirements?
2. Will the growing spot still provide suitable light and space as plants mature?
3. Can you check moisture and respond to changing weather?
4. Do you know the conditions behind the stated sowing months and growth times?

Use your answers to explore the Garden Plus seed collection, prepare a container with our plant pot guide, and continue with the outdoor plant care guide as your seedlings grow.

Sources checked on 3 October 2026. Local reference material and editorial suggestions are distinguished throughout. Calendar windows are not guarantees for an individual seed batch.