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Plant Guide

Best Plants for San Diego, California

📍 San Diego, CA 🌡️ USDA Zone 10a/10b 🌱 61+ compatible plants

Gardening in San Diego

San Diego falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a/10b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 30°F to 40°F range. The 61+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for San Diego

Ceanothus
Ceanothus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Vibrant blue blossoms burst in spring on this evergreen shrub, creating a stunning coastal display. Deer resistant and drought tolerant, it thrives in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Drift Rose
Drift Rose
Rosa Drift
Vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red, and coral brighten summer through fall with nonstop color and charm. This low-maintenance, disease-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 4–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Nandina
Nandina
Nandina domestica
Delicate clusters of white to pink blooms in spring add year-round interest with vibrant red foliage in fall. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 6-9 and requires minimal care.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Blue Grama Grass
Blue Grama Grass
Bouteloua gracilis
Delicate, sky-blue seed heads crown slender stems, adding graceful movement and color from summer to fall. This drought-tolerant, low-maintenance grass thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Kikuyu Grass
Kikuyu Grass
Cenchrus clandestinus
One of the most vigorous warm-season grasses available, Kikuyu forms an extremely tough, wear-resistant turf. Its aggressive rhizomatous spread makes it a regulated noxious weed in several western states.
Zone 9–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Cosmos
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Delicate, daisy-like pink, white, and magenta blooms brighten summer and fall gardens with vibrant color. This low-maintenance beauty attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 2-11.
Zone 2–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Manzanita
Manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita
Glossy evergreen leaves and delicate pinkish-white blooms in late winter make this Manzanita a stunning year-round interest. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance suit USDA zones 7-9 beautifully.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Frost Proof Gardenia
Frost Proof Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Frost Proof'
Fragrant white blooms dazzle from June to September, brightening gardens with their classic beauty. This low-maintenance, evergreen shrub attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 7–10🐝 Pollinator
David Austin Shrub Rose
David Austin Shrub Rose
Rosa Graham Thomas
Vibrant golden-yellow blooms brighten summer to fall, radiating a rich, classic rose fragrance. This hardy shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and resists deer while attracting pollinators.
Zone 5–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Agave
Agave
Agave americana
Striking blue-green rosettes with dramatic spiky leaves create a bold architectural statement year-round. This drought-tolerant succulent thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and resists deer and pests effortlessly.
Zone 8–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Lantana
Lantana
Lantana camara
Vibrant clusters of pink, white, yellow, orange, and red blooms light up your garden from June to September with nonstop color. Thriving in full sun, this low-maintenance annual attracts pollinators and grows well in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 8–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon
The premier warm-season lawn grass for the South. Extremely durable, drought-tolerant, and recovers quickly from heavy use. Turns brown in winter.
Zone 7–11🐾 Pet-Friendly†

Get a Personalized Plant List for San Diego

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 10a/10b.

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Other Cities in Zone 10a/10b

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Browse All 61+ Plants for Zone 10a/10b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 10 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.