US Grow Zones

Los Angeles, California: planting zone & frost dates

Last updated · Sources: PRISM/OSU 2023 ZIP zone listings; NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals (station USC00042214); U.S. Census Bureau — see methodology

Los Angeles is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a, where the average coldest winter night reaches 30 to 35°F (-1.1 to 1.7°C). Frost is rare here.

Hardiness zone10A30 to 35°F
Last spring frostRare32°F in 7% of years
First fall frostRareyear-round growing
Elevation82 ftcity center

Frost dates

Frost is rare here. At CULVER CITY, CA, the temperature reached 32°F in 7% of years from 1991 to 2020 — too seldom for NOAA to compute frost dates. Cold snaps can still damage tender plants in unusual winters, so keep frost cloth handy.

Frost data comes from NOAA station CULVER CITY, CA (USC00042214), 1.0 mi (1.6 km) from the city center and 10 ft higher than the city center (+3 m). Record used for the 1991–2020 normals: 21 years.

Why your yard may differ from the station: microclimates.

Hardiness zone across Los Angeles

Los Angeles spans more than one half-zone. Share of the city's land area by zone (via its 103 ZIP codes): 10a (50%), 10b (48%), 11a (1%), 9b (1%). The headline zone is the one covering the most land. Look up your ZIP for your exact zone.

ZIP codes in Los Angeles and their zones
ZIPZoneShare of city land
9027210b5.1%
9134210a3.7%
9004910b3.2%
9134410a3.1%
9135210a2.5%
9131110a2.4%
9004510b2.3%
9104210a2.1%
9133110a2.0%
9073110b1.9%
9074410b1.9%
9104010a1.8%
9002710b1.7%
9006810b1.7%
9132610a1.7%
9140610a1.7%
9135610a1.6%
9136710a1.6%
9007710b1.5%
9136410a1.5%
9021010b1.4%
9130410a1.4%
9133510a1.4%
9134310a1.3%
9006510a1.2%
9131610a1.2%
9143610a1.1%
9160510a1.1%
9003210b1.0%
9004210a1.0%
9004610b1.0%
9132510a1.0%
9160410a1.0%
9001110b0.9%
9002610b0.9%
9006610b0.9%
9130610a0.9%
9130710a0.9%
9132410a0.9%
9142310a0.9%
9000310b0.8%
9001210b0.8%
9001610b0.8%
9001910b0.8%
9003910b0.8%
9004110a0.8%
9006410b0.8%
9140110a0.8%
9140210a0.8%
9140310a0.8%
9003110b0.7%
9003310b0.7%
9003410b0.7%
9004410b0.7%
9004710b0.7%
9073210b0.7%
9134510a0.7%
9140510a0.7%
9160610a0.7%
9000410b0.6%
9000810b0.6%
9001810b0.6%
9002310b0.6%
9002410b0.6%
9003710b0.6%
9004310b0.6%
9029311a0.6%
9160110a0.6%
9000710b0.5%
9002510b0.5%
9003510b0.5%
9003610b0.5%
9029111a0.5%
913039b0.5%
9160710a0.5%
9000210b0.4%
9000610b0.4%
9001510b0.4%
9002110b0.4%
9006210b0.4%
9071010b0.4%
9141110a0.4%
9160210a0.4%
9000510b0.3%
9002810b0.3%
9002910b0.3%
9003810b0.3%
9004810b0.3%
9006910b0.3%
9029210b0.3%
9001310b0.2%
9001710b0.2%
9002010b0.2%
9005710b0.2%
9009410b0.2%
9001010b0.1%
9001410b0.1%
9006710b0.1%
9009510b0.1%
9133010a0.1%
9005210b0.0%
9007910b0.0%
913719b0.0%

Vegetable planting calendar for Los Angeles

Windows below are for a frost-free climate: plant cool-season crops from fall through late winter and warm-season crops in late winter–spring, with a second warm-season round in late summer for some crops.

CropPlanting windows (frost-free climate)
TomatoJan 15 – Mar 31; Aug 1 – Sep 15
PepperFeb 1 – Apr 15; Jul 15 – Aug 31
LettuceSep 15 – Feb 15
Green BeansFeb 15 – Apr 30; Aug 15 – Sep 30
Sweet CornFeb 15 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Aug 31
Zucchini & Summer SquashFeb 15 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15
CucumberFeb 15 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15
CarrotSep 1 – Feb 28
OnionOct 15 – Jan 15
PotatoJan 1 – Feb 28; Sep 1 – Oct 15
BasilMar 1 – Jun 30; Aug 15 – Sep 30
SpinachOct 1 – Feb 15
KaleSep 1 – Feb 15
BroccoliSep 1 – Jan 15
PeasOct 1 – Jan 31
EggplantFeb 15 – Apr 30; Jul 15 – Aug 31
CabbageSep 1 – Jan 31
RadishSep 15 – Mar 15
StrawberryOct 1 – Nov 30
BeetsSep 15 – Feb 28

Nearby cities in California

More: all California cities · other zone 10a cities: Oakland, CA, Tampa, FL, Orlando, FL, Riverside, CA, Corpus Christi, TX, Port St. Lucie, FL, Scottsdale, AZ, Santa Clarita, CA

Los Angeles gardening questions

Does it ever frost in Los Angeles, CA?

Rarely. From 1991 to 2020, NOAA's Culver City, CA station, 1.0 mi from the city center, reached 32°F in only 7% of years — too seldom for NOAA to compute frost dates. Zone 10a means the coldest night of an average winter is 30 to 35°F (-1.1 to 1.7°C), so tender plants may still need covering in an unusual cold snap.

When should I plant tomatoes in Los Angeles, CA?

Without a frost season, plant by temperature: set out tomatoes Jan 15 – Mar 31 and Aug 1 – Sep 15. Fruit set drops when nights stay above about 75°F, so avoid timing harvests for the hottest weeks. More: tomato planting by zone.

When is the best time for lettuce and broccoli in Los Angeles?

Cool-season crops do best in the mild months: plant lettuce Sep 15 – Feb 15 and broccoli Sep 1 – Jan 15. Summer heat makes lettuce bolt and broccoli flower early.

Did Los Angeles's hardiness zone change on the 2023 map?

Yes, but toward colder: Los Angeles went from zone 10b (2012) to zone 10a (2023). Only about 1% of U.S. ZIP codes moved colder; these changes mostly reflect added weather stations and improved mapping methods rather than a colder climate. Why the 2023 map is warmer.

Is all of Los Angeles in zone 10a?

No. Zone 10a covers about 50% of the city's land; the rest is in 10b (48%), 11a (1%), 9b (1%), measured across the city's 103 ZIP codes. Check your own ZIP code in the table above or with the ZIP lookup.

How does Los Angeles compare with Santa Monica, CA?

Los Angeles is zone 10a and Santa Monica is zone 11a. Frost is rare in both Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA (5 miles away), so both garden year-round.