Abstract: In this study, MODIS EVI time series image datasets of 2001- 2011were used to analyze EVI temporal and spatial variation characteristics of three kinds of typical vegetation zones, including tropical rainforest, rubber plantation and farmland, and explore the responses to meteorological factors. The results showed that: (1) from space point, the average EVI index of Hainan Island was 0.42, distributed as high in the middle while low in the surrounding, and high in the south while low in the north; (2) from time point, rainforest EVI changed less during the year, seasonal changes was not significant; in contrast, rubber plantation had obvious seasonal changes during the year, with the lowest EVI changes in late winter and rapid EVI growth during spring, then maintained at a high level; farmland had a moderate range of variation between the above two vegetations; annual EVI peak of the three typical vegetation areas was relatively stable, the least value varied greatly and the maximum annual EVI of rubber plantation presented a slightly increasing trend; (3) meteorological factors that limiting the three vegetation areas growth were different, the main limiting factor of farmland was winter sunshine, rubber plantation mostly was affected by whole year precipitation and winter temperatures, and rainforest was benefited by summer heat and influenced by dry winter.