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Plant Guide

Best Plants for San Francisco, California

📍 San Francisco, CA 🌡️ USDA Zone 10a 🌱 62+ compatible plants

Gardening in San Francisco

San Francisco falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 30°F to 40°F range. The 62+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for San Francisco

Meyer Lemon Tree
Meyer Lemon Tree
Citrus × meyeri
Fragrant white and pink blooms appear from March to May, brightening gardens with a lovely citrus scent and attracting pollinators. This evergreen tree thrives in USDA zones 9-11, is dog- and cat-friendly, and grows 4-10 ft tall with medium water needs.
Zone 9–11🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Snapdragon
Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Vibrant snapdragons burst with colorful blooms from spring through fall, adding cheerful charm to any garden space. These low-maintenance beauties attract pollinators and thrive in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 4–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Liriope (Lilyturf)
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Liriope muscari
Vibrant purple flower spikes bloom late summer, adding a pop of color to shady spots. This tough, deer-resistant groundcover thrives in USDA zones 5-10 with minimal care.
Zone 5–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
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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†
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Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
Ficus carica 'Chicago Hardy'
Vibrant green leaves and sweet, edible figs ripen late summer to fall on this hardy tree. Thrives in USDA zones 5-9, it's cold-tolerant and low maintenance.
Zone 5–10
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Brittlebush
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
Bright yellow blooms light up spring and summer with a cheerful desert vibe. This drought-tolerant shrub thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 8–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Pansy
Pansy
Viola × wittrockiana
Vibrant pansy blooms burst in cool spring and fall, showcasing cheerful purples, yellows, and blues that brighten any garden. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, they thrive in sun to partial shade and attract pollinators while being low maintenance.
Zone 4–10🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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California Poppy
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Vibrant orange blooms light up spring and summer gardens with a cheerful glow. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant beauty thrives in USDA zones 6-10 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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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
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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
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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
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Bahia Grass
Bahia Grass
Paspalum notatum
A tough, low-maintenance warm-season grass for the Deep South. Thrives in poor sandy soil and drought conditions where other grasses fail.
Zone 8–11🐾 Pet-Friendly†
View care guide →

Get a Personalized Plant List for San Francisco

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.

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Other Cities in Zone 10a

Los Angeles, CA Phoenix, AZ San Diego, CA Mesa, AZ Miami, FL Anaheim, CA

Browse All 62+ Plants for Zone 10a

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.