Local planting guide · California
zip 90095
Los Angeles is in USDA hardiness zone 10b, with average winter lows of 35°F to 40°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/09 through 01/05 (~365 days). This zip falls within the California growing region.
- USDA zone
- 10b 35°F to 40°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/09
- First fall frost
- 01/05
- 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 in zone 10b offers one of the longest, most forgiving growing seasons in the continental United States. With last spring frost around January 9 and first fall frost around January 5, the practical growing season spans the entire calendar year. Frost protection is rarely necessary, but the defining constraint is heat, not cold. Summer temperatures consistently exceed 80°F, often climbing above 90°F for extended periods, particularly in inland portions of the zip code and foothills. Water availability also shapes what thrives here; coastal areas benefit from marine layer moderation and may receive light fog, while inland zones depend heavily on irrigation. The sample crops that perform reliably in this climate include warm-season favorites like fig, tomato, sweet pepper, hot pepper, eggplant, and basil. Rosemary thrives nearly anywhere in zone 10b, including Los Angeles, because it tolerates heat and poor soil. Successful gardeners here often adopt succession planting to fill the calendar, rotating through different crops rather than relying on a single long season for each variety. Strategic shade provision in summer and careful variety selection allow even cool-season crops to produce during typically warm months.
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
Los Angeles gardeners face a trio of persistent challenges. First, summer heat stress peaks July through September, when afternoon temperatures regularly exceed 90°F; many crops, especially cool-season greens and tender herbs like basil, need afternoon shade or misting to prevent bolting and sunscald. Second, water scarcity and local restrictions mean irrigation must be efficient; drip lines and mulch are non-negotiable rather than optional. Third, the marine layer brings humidity and can promote fungal diseases (powdery mildew, rust, gray mold) particularly in coastal and Santa Monica mountains microclimates. Additionally, soil in many LA neighborhoods carries residual salinity from irrigation or former horticultural use, which limits the crops that can be grown without soil amendment or desalination.
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
For year-round planting, treat the calendar as four overlapping seasons rather than one continuous season. Start tomatoes and peppers in late winter (February-March) for spring-summer harvest, then again in midsummer (July-August) for fall-winter production; this dodges the peak heat stress. Second, plant heat-sensitive crops like lettuce, spinach, and arugula in early fall (September-October) and early spring (January-February) to capture the naturally mild periods; summer growth is possible only with consistent afternoon shade and irrigation. Third, create microclimates using structures and shade cloth. South-facing walls amplify heat for heat-lovers, while lath structures or shade cloth (30-50% density) moderate afternoon intensity for crops that struggle above 85°F.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best year-round in Los Angeles?
Rosemary, thyme, and other Mediterranean herbs thrive nearly all year. Fig and citrus produce over multiple months. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant grow well spring through fall; many varieties produce into early winter with protection from rare frosts. Cool-season crops like lettuce, arugula, and spinach excel in fall through spring but need shade in summer.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Los Angeles?
Two windows work well. Plant in late February or early March for spring-summer harvest (fruit by June); this avoids the peak heat of July-August while still capturing the long warm season. A second planting in late July or early August produces fruit through fall and early winter, dodging the early-summer heat stress that causes flower drop and sunscald on young fruit.
- Is frost a real concern in Los Angeles zone 10b?
Frost risk is minimal. The last spring frost typically occurs around January 9, and the first fall frost around January 5, giving a 365-day growing season. Rare freezes (below 35°F) happen roughly once every 10-20 years in most LA neighborhoods. Frost cloth or cold frames are rarely necessary, though they can provide emergency protection for tender plants if an unusual cold snap threatens.
- How do I deal with summer heat stress?
Afternoon shade (30-50% density shade cloth) is essential for heat-sensitive crops like tomatoes, peppers, and basil during July-August. Consistent drip irrigation prevents drought stress that amplifies heat injury. Mulch (3-4 inches) keeps soil temperature stable and preserves moisture. Choose heat-tolerant varieties where possible; Armenian cucumber, yard-long beans, and certain pepper varieties tolerate 95°F+ better than standard types.
- What about water restrictions in Los Angeles?
Water restrictions vary by neighborhood and season, but efficiency is always prudent. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, reducing waste compared to spray irrigation. Hand-watering allows precise control. Mulch and shade cloth reduce water demand. Soil with added compost holds moisture longer than bare clay or sand. Grouping plants by water need (hydrozoning) simplifies compliance with local rules.
- Do I need to amend the soil in Los Angeles?
Many LA soils are compacted, alkaline, or salt-laden, especially in former agricultural or horticultural zones. Adding 2-3 inches of compost or well-aged manure improves drainage, buffering, and biology. Soil testing through UC Cooperative Extension reveals pH and salt content; if salinity is high, mulch and deep occasional irrigation help leach salts, or choose salt-tolerant crops like fig, citrus, and Mediterranean herbs.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00003122. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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