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Plant Guide

Best Plants for San Francisco, California

📍 San Francisco, CA 🌡️ USDA Zone 10a 🌱 60+ 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 60+ 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

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
Arbequina Olive Tree
Arbequina Olive Tree
Olea europaea 'Arbequina'
Delightful pink and white blooms from June to September add charm to this evergreen tree, thriving in zones 8-10. Low-maintenance and pet-friendly, it attracts pollinators while requiring medium water.
Zone 8–10🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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
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†
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†
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
Matilija Poppy
Matilija Poppy
Romneya coulteri
Dazzling white blooms with bright yellow centers appear from late spring to summer, creating a stunning, fragrant display. This drought-tolerant beauty thrives in USDA zones 7-10 and resists deer while attracting pollinators.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Loropetalum
Loropetalum
Loropetalum chinense
Vibrant pink and white blooms light up this evergreen shrub in early spring, adding a splash of color from zones 7-10. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, it thrives in full sun to part shade while being safe for pets.
Zone 7–10🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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
Texas Sage
Texas Sage
Leucophyllum frutescens
Silvery foliage contrasts beautifully with vibrant purple blooms that appear from summer to fall, adding striking color to any landscape. Drought-tolerant and deer resistant, this hardy shrub thrives in USDA zones 8-11.
Zone 7–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 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
Coleus
Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Vibrant, multicolored foliage brightens summer gardens with shades of red, green, and purple that last through USDA zones 10-11. This low-maintenance, shade-tolerant plant adds striking color without attracting deer.
Zone 2–11🦌 Deer-Resistant

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

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Browse All 60+ 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.