What to Plant in California
Your complete gardening guide for California (USDA Zone 9). Browse 985 varieties across 28 categories with zone-specific planting dates.
Last Frost
February 15
Safe to plant after
First Frost
December 1
Harvest before
Growing Season
290 days
Varieties
985
across 28 categories
Growing Season
Plant after February 15 · Harvest before December 1
California · Zone 9
All Zone 9 plants →Best Crops for California
Alliums
35 varieties for California
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives.
Beans & Legumes
58 varieties for California
Bush beans, pole beans, lentils, and more. Easy-to-grow protein for every garden.
Berries & Fruits
13 varieties for California
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and small fruits for the home garden.
Brassicas
49 varieties for California
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi.
Corn
31 varieties for California
Sweet corn, popcorn, flour corn, and ornamental varieties.
Cucumbers
30 varieties for California
Slicing, pickling, and specialty cucumbers for every garden size.
Eggplants
30 varieties for California
Globe, Japanese, Thai, and specialty eggplant varieties.
Flowers
53 varieties for California
Annual, perennial, and cut flowers to beautify your garden year-round.
Fruit Trees
22 varieties for California
Apple, pear, cherry, peach, and citrus trees for the home orchard.
Grasses & Bamboo
20 varieties for California
Ornamental grasses, lawn grasses, and bamboo varieties for structure and movement.
Ground Covers
18 varieties for California
Low-growing plants that spread to cover soil, reduce weeds, and prevent erosion.
Herbs
43 varieties for California
Culinary and medicinal herbs. Growing guides from basil to thyme.
Lettuce & Salad Greens
52 varieties for California
Romaine, butterhead, looseleaf, and specialty salad greens for every season.
Melons
38 varieties for California
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and specialty melons.
Microgreens
36 varieties for California
Nutrient-dense seedlings harvested in 7-14 days. The fastest crop you can grow.
Native Wildflowers
13 varieties for California
Region-native wildflowers that support pollinators and require minimal maintenance.
Nut Trees
8 varieties for California
Pecan, walnut, almond, hazelnut, and chestnut trees for home orchards.
Ornamental Trees
19 varieties for California
Flowering and decorative trees for landscaping. Dogwoods, magnolias, Japanese maples, and more.
Peas
35 varieties for California
Snap peas, snow peas, shelling peas, and pea shoots.
Peppers
71 varieties for California
Hot peppers, sweet peppers, and everything in between. Find your perfect heat level.
Root Vegetables
43 varieties for California
Carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, and other underground crops.
Roses
54 varieties for California
Hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, shrub roses, and old garden varieties.
Shade Trees
22 varieties for California
Large canopy trees for shade, privacy, and property value. Oaks, maples, elms, and more.
Shrubs & Hedges
15 varieties for California
Flowering and evergreen shrubs for borders, hedges, and foundation plantings.
Squash & Cucumbers
51 varieties for California
Summer squash, winter squash, zucchini, and cucumbers.
Tomatoes
88 varieties for California
From heirloom beefsteaks to cherry varieties. Growing guides for every tomato type.
Tropical Plants
12 varieties for California
Exotic tropical plants including palms, gingers, hibiscus, and bird of paradise.
Vines & Climbers
26 varieties for California
Climbing plants for trellises, arbors, and walls. Clematis, wisteria, jasmine, and more.