What to grow in San Diego

A local planting guide for California, United States — USDA zone 10b, average frost dates, and the vegetables, herbs and flowers that thrive here.

San Diego climate at a glance

Decoded from long-run climate normals for San Diego's location. Use it as a starting point — your own garden's aspect, walls and soil shift these by a week or two.

USDA hardiness zone
Zone 10b
Average winter low
11°C (52°F)
Average summer high
24°C (74°F)
Last spring frost
Essentially frost-free
First fall frost
Essentially frost-free
Frost-free growing season
Year-round
Annual rainfall
275 mm/yr (11 in)
Hot days (≥30°C) per year
~0 days

Best plants for San Diego

170 plants in the library suit USDA zone 10b. Tap any one for its sowing calendar, spacing and companions.

Easy starter picks for San Diego

New to growing? These are forgiving, fast, and can go straight into the ground — a good first season in USDA zone 10b.

When to sow in San Diego

San Diego is frost-free but dry, so timing follows temperature and irrigation. Grow heat-lovers through the warm season with steady water, and leafy cool-season crops in the milder months. Open the planner for a month-by-month calendar tuned to your exact spot.

Plan your San Diego garden →