Planting zones · Los Angeles, California
What Planting Zone Is Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is in USDA zone 10a–10b. Mediterranean climate: about 14 in. of rain, 87% of it November–March, and almost none in summer. Downtown recorded no 32°F freeze in the 1991–2020 normals; inland valleys (zone 10a) run cooler.
- USDA zone (2023)10a–10b
- Coldest night (avg.)35 to 40°FZIP 90012
- Annual precipitation14 inches
Los Angeles hardiness zone by ZIP code
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Los Angeles fall in zones 10a to 10b; 90012 (zone 10b) has an average annual extreme minimum of 35 to 40°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 10.
| ZIP | Zone | Avg. coldest night |
|---|---|---|
| 90012 | 10b | 35 to 40°F |
| 90026 | 10b | 35 to 40°F |
| 90045 | 10b | 35 to 40°F |
| 91101 | 10a | 30 to 35°F |
| 91331 | 10a | 30 to 35°F |
Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.
Frost dates and when to plant
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals recorded no 32°F freeze at Los Angeles Downtown (USC), so there are no meaningful frost dates; colder inland and valley neighborhoods can still see light frost.
With frost rare, you can plant most of the year; fall and winter plantings benefit from the rainy season.
Rainfall and heat in Los Angeles
Average annual precipitation is 14 inches (Los Angeles Downtown (USC), 1991–2020), and 87% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (August is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.
The average high in August is about 84°F and the average low in December is about 48°F, measured at about 230 ft.
That is why a zone rating alone isn't enough for a xeriscape here: pick plants that are both cold-hardy to zone 10 and rated very low or low water once established.
Low-water plants for Los Angeles
18 plants in our database are hardy to zone 10 and suited to zone 10. Here are 12, driest first, across plant types.
'Desert Museum' Palo VerdeParkinsonia 'Desert Museum'Zones 8–11 · Very low water
Adam's Needle YuccaYucca filamentosaZones 4–10 · Very low water
Blue GramaBouteloua gracilisZones 3–10 · Very low water
Blueblossom CeanothusCeanothus thyrsiflorusZones 8–10 · Very low water
California FuchsiaEpilobium canum (syn. Zauschneria californica)Zones 8–10 · Very low water
Trailing RosemarySalvia rosmarinus Prostratus GroupZones 8–10 · Low water
Blue Palo VerdeParkinsonia floridaZones 8–11 · Very low water
Red YuccaHesperaloe parvifloraZones 5–10 · Very low water
Undaunted Ruby MuhlyMuhlenbergia reverchonii 'PUND01S' (UNDAUNTED®)Zones 5–10 · Low water
Common ManzanitaArctostaphylos manzanitaZones 8–10 · Very low water
DamianitaChrysactinia mexicanaZones 7–10 · Very low water
Arizona CypressHesperocyparis arizonica (syn. Cupressus arizonica)Zones 7–11 · Low water
Frequently asked questions
What planting zone is Los Angeles?
Los Angeles, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10a–10b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (90012: 10b, 90026: 10b, 90045: 10b, 91101: 10a, 91331: 10a). In 90012, the average coldest night of the year is 35 to 40°F.
When is the last frost in Los Angeles?
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals recorded no 32°F freeze at Los Angeles Downtown (USC), so there are no meaningful frost dates; colder inland and valley neighborhoods can still see light frost.
How much rain does Los Angeles get?
Average annual precipitation is 14 inches (Los Angeles Downtown (USC), 1991–2020), and 87% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (August is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Los Angeles Downtown (USC) (USW00093134). ncei.noaa.gov
- USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov