USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10

Zone 10 covers winter lows from 30°F to 40°F, split into 10a (30 to 35°F) and 10b (35 to 40°F).

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10 covers areas where the average extreme minimum winter temperature falls between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is one of the warmest zones in the continental United States, split into subzones 10a (30 to 35 F) and 10b (35 to 40 F). Hard freezes are rare, so gardeners here focus more on heat, humidity, and rainfall than on winter cold.

Climate and where it is found

Zone 10 has a mild, frost-light climate that is essentially subtropical to tropical in feel. In the mainland United States it shows up in southern Florida, the far southern coast and low deserts of California, the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, and low-elevation parts of southern Arizona, with Hawaii falling in this range as well. The growing season is effectively year-round, with no reliable frost date in most spots and only occasional brief cold snaps in the coldest pockets. Summers are long, hot, and often humid, which shapes crop choices as much as the mild winters do.

States most often in Zone 10

Based on locations in our database, these states have the most ZIP codes falling in Zone 10:

What grows in Zone 10

Because damaging freezes are uncommon, a wide range of frost-tender and tropical plants overwinter outdoors here without protection. Cold-sensitive fruit trees such as citrus, avocado, and mango survive the winter, and many tropical ornamentals stay in leaf and even bloom through the cool season. Tender perennials that gardeners farther north grow as annuals can live for years in Zone 10. The main cold hazard is a rare radiational freeze in low, inland spots, so gardeners in colder microclimates still choose the hardier end of what the zone allows.

• Citrus such as oranges, lemons, and limes
• Avocado and mango
• Bananas and papaya
• Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and okra
• Cool-season greens and lettuces grown in winter
• Tropical ornamentals such as hibiscus and bougainvillea
• Palms and tropical foliage plants
• Herbs like basil, lemongrass, and rosemary

Gardening tips for Zone 10

Since frost rarely limits the calendar, plan around heat and the wet and dry seasons rather than a last spring frost. Many cool-season vegetables and salad greens grow best when planted in fall and harvested through the mild winter, while tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops can be started in late winter to beat the peak summer heat and humidity. In the few inland areas that see an occasional cold night, keep frost cloth or old sheets on hand to cover young or flowering plants. When selecting fruit trees and perennials, favor low-chill varieties, because many temperate types will not get the winter chilling hours they need to set fruit well in this zone.

Sample locations in Zone 10

Open any location for its live weather, frost dates, and planting calendar:

Related tools

Hardiness zones tell you what survives winter. To decide when to plant, check your frost dates and planting calendar, and browse crops and growing guides for individual plants.

Zone boundaries follow the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which is based on 1991-2020 winter minimum temperatures. Local microclimates, elevation, and unusual winters can differ from the map. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.