Local planting guide · California
zip 90010
Los Angeles is in USDA hardiness zone 10b, with average winter lows of 35°F to 40°F. The local growing season runs roughly 12/31 through 12/28 (~365 days). This zip falls within the California growing region.
- USDA zone
- 10b 35°F to 40°F
- Last spring frost
- 12/31
- First fall frost
- 12/28
- Growing season
- 365 days
- Compatible crops
- 23
- Growing region
- California
Right now in Los Angeles
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Los Angeles
Los Angeles sits in USDA zone 10b with minimum winter temperatures between 35 and 40°F, creating one of the longest growing seasons in the continental US: essentially 365 days with minimal frost risk. The practical implication is unusual: frost is rarely the limiting factor. Instead, heat and water availability dominate the gardening calendar.
The zone's growing season is split into two distinct windows. Winter and spring (December through May) suit cool-season crops, brassicas, and root vegetables that would bolt or suffer in summer heat elsewhere. Summer and fall (June through October) shift to heat-loving crops: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and basil thrive in the consistent warmth. Figs perform reliably here where they struggle in many other US zones. Sweet potato and rosemary are perennial fixtures.
The challenge is not what grows, but when. Successful LA gardeners invert the traditional planting calendar: tomatoes started in spring for early summer harvest, then again in midsummer for fall fruit. Cool-season crops planted in September for winter-spring production. This inverted timing separates experienced gardeners from those who assume zone 10b means "plant anything anytime."
Regional context · California
What the California brings to Los Angeles
From cool foggy coast to hot Central Valley to mountain to desert. Mediterranean climate dominates: wet winters, dry summers. The most productive agricultural state in the country, with reach into citrus and olives that exceed the rest of the country.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 10b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ No winter chill
- ▸ Tropical pest and disease pressure
- ▸ Saltwater intrusion in coastal soils
What defeats new gardeners in Los Angeles
Summer heat exceeding 90°F for extended periods can stress even heat-loving crops, particularly when coupled with low humidity and intense sun. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant set fruit reliably in warm weather but paradoxically drop blossoms when temperatures consistently exceed 95°F. Older heirloom varieties often struggle; heat-tolerant modern types perform better.
Water availability is the second constraint. California's drought cycles directly impact home gardens. Unrestricted irrigation in summer becomes untenable; drip systems and mulch are non-negotiable. Pests and diseases remain active year-round without winter dormancy to interrupt populations. Spider mites, whiteflies, and fungal issues persist across seasons and require preventive management rather than relying on winter kill.
Crops that grow in Los Angeles
23 crops from our catalog match zone 10b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
12 crops
zone 10b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 10b Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 10b Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 10b Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 10b Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
zone 10b Mango
Mangifera indica
zones 10b–13b
zone 10b Avocado
Persea americana
zones 9b–11b
zone 10b Banana
Musa acuminata
zones 9b–13b
Berries
2 crops
Nuts
1 crop
Vegetables
6 crops
zone 10b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 10b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 10b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 10b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 10b Sweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas
zones 6a–10b
zone 10b Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
zones 6a–10b
Herbs
2 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Los Angeles
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Los Angeles's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Los Angeles, CA (zone 10b)
Quiet week in Los Angeles, CA (zone 10b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
128 bars · 23 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 10b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Ceratitis capitata
Quarantine pest in many regions. Adult females puncture ripening fruit to lay eggs; larvae tunnel through the flesh, causing premature drop and rot.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Anastrepha suspensa
Tropical fruit fly endemic to Florida and the Caribbean. Less aggressive on commercial citrus than Mediterranean fruit fly, but devastating on guava, carambola, and other thin-skinned tropicals.
Top diseases for zone 10b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Most damaging mango disease worldwide. Fungal spores infect blossoms and developing fruit during humid weather, producing black sunken lesions that expand on ripening fruit.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Verticillium dahliae
Soil-borne fungal disease similar to fusarium wilt but with broader host range and cooler temperature optimum. Persists in soil for 10+ years.
Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
Devastating bacterial disease vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid. Once infected, trees decline progressively over several years and there is no cure. Has destroyed commercial citrus across Florida and threatens production worldwide.
Xanthomonas citri
Bacterial disease producing raised corky lesions on leaves, twigs, and fruit. Spread by wind-driven rain and contaminated tools. Quarantine-regulated in many areas.
Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and X. perforans
Bacterial disease causing leaf spots and fruit blemishes on pepper and tomato. Severe in warm humid weather, transmitted via splashing water and seed.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 10b.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Okra + Hot Pepper
Both heat-loving warm-season crops with similar water and fertility needs. Hot pepper at okra's base benefits from the slight afternoon shade in extreme summer heat.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Los Angeles
Plant tomatoes and peppers in two windows: early spring (January through March) for summer harvest, and again in June or July for fall fruit. The dual-season approach smooths out the hot months when early plantings struggle. For cool-season crops (lettuce, brassicas, root crops), reverse the typical calendar: plant September through November for winter and spring harvest.
Choose heat-tolerant varieties deliberately. Older heirloom tomatoes often crack or fail to set fruit in LA summers; seek out modern cultivars specifically bred for heat tolerance. Peppers benefit from afternoon shade cloth during the hottest months (July through September), which improves fruit set without sacrificing productivity.
Install drip irrigation with heavy mulch to manage water wisely. Drip reduces water use by 40 to 50 percent compared to overhead irrigation, critical during drought years. Two to three inches of mulch retains soil moisture and moderates soil temperature during extreme heat.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the biggest advantage of gardening in zone 10b Los Angeles?
A 365-day growing season with virtually no winter frost. Cool-season crops thrive October through May, heat-loving crops dominate June through September. The downside is inverted timing and water management intensity compared to cooler zones.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Los Angeles?
Plant in two windows. January through March for summer harvest, then again in June or July for fall fruit. A midsummer planting avoids the hottest weeks when blossoms drop due to heat stress.
- What's the biggest weather challenge for gardeners in Los Angeles?
Sustained summer heat above 95°F impairs fruit set in tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant despite their heat preference. Heat-tolerant varieties and afternoon shade cloth are required, not optional.
- Which crops are most reliable in Los Angeles?
Figs, rosemary, basil, peppers, tomatoes (in spring and fall plantings), and eggplant all perform consistently. Cool-season crops including lettuce, brassicas, and root crops thrive October through April.
- Can I grow cool-season crops year-round in zone 10b?
No. Summer temperatures above 90°F cause bolting and flavor degradation. Plant cool-season crops September through November for winter and spring production, then shift to heat-lovers from June onward.
- How critical is drip irrigation in Los Angeles gardening?
Essential. Drip irrigation cuts water use 40 to 50 percent compared to overhead watering, critical during California drought cycles. Combined with mulch, it sustains productivity through hot, dry summers without excessive water cost.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00023152. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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