Plant Guide

Best Plants for San Jose, California

๐Ÿ“ San Jose, CA ๐ŸŒก๏ธ USDA Zone 9b ๐ŸŒฑ 251+ compatible plants

Gardening in San Jose

San Jose falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 20ยฐF to 30ยฐF range. The 251+ plants below are proven performers for your zone โ€” including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for San Jose

Osmunda Royal Fern
Osmunda Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Lush, arching fronds create a stunning royal green display in spring through fall, adding vibrant texture to shaded gardens. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and is safe for pets.
Zone 4โ€“9๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Vibrant red foliage in fall transforms this vigorous vine into a stunning seasonal spectacle. Deer resistant and hardy in USDA zones 3-9, it thrives with minimal care.
Zone 3โ€“9๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ 
Bee Balm
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Vibrant red blooms light up summer gardens, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their rich nectar. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is low maintenance.
Zone 4โ€“9๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Tufted Hair Grass
Tufted Hair Grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tufted Hair Grass forms elegant, fine-textured mounds topped with airy golden flower clouds in summer. One of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in part shade and moist conditions.
Zone 4โ€“9๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Daylily
Daylily
Hemerocallis fulva
Vibrant orange, yellow, red, and pink blooms light up your garden from June to August, adding cheerful summer color. Hardy in zones 3-9, this low-maintenance perennial thrives in sun to part shade and resists deer damage.
Zone 3โ€“9๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Columbine
Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Delicate red and yellow blooms brighten spring and early summer with a whimsical, nodding shape. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts hummingbirds while resisting deer.
Zone 3โ€“9๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿ Pollinator
Plumbago
Plumbago
Plumbago auriculata
Sky-blue clusters of blooms brighten summer through fall, adding a soft, airy touch to any garden. This drought-tolerant beauty thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 8โ€“11๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿ Pollinator
Pawpaw
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Fragrant, maroon-purple blooms appear in spring, followed by unique tropical-flavored fruit in late summer. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and attracts pollinators while being deer resistant.
Zone 5โ€“9๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, pink, and white brighten late summer to fall gardens with lasting color. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 5-9, this low-maintenance beauty attracts pollinators.
Zone 5โ€“9๐Ÿ Pollinator
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis verticillata
Bright yellow blooms dazzle from early summer to fall, adding cheerful color to any garden. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3โ€“9๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Esperanza
Esperanza
Tecoma stans
Vibrant golden-yellow trumpet-shaped blooms light up summer through fall, adding a burst of sunshine to any garden. This drought-tolerant shrub attracts hummingbirds and thrives in USDA zones 8-11.
Zone 8โ€“11๐ŸฆŒ Deer-Resistant๐Ÿพ Pet-Friendlyโ€ ๐Ÿ Pollinator
Anemone
Anemone
Anemone spp.
Delicate pink and white blooms grace the garden from June to September, adding vibrant color through summer and early fall. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and tolerates full sun to part shade.
Zone 4โ€“9๐Ÿ Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for San Jose

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard โ€” sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation โ€” and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 9b.

Start the Plant Advisor โ†’

Browse All 251+ Plants for Zone 9b

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

View All Zone 9 Plants โ†’

โ€  "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.