What Grows in Malibu, CA?
Malibu, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Malibu is in USDA Zone 11a with about 365 frost-free days.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost no frost, first frost no frost.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Collard Greens, Borage
Green Beans, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rosemary, Fig, Lemon Tree, Avocado
What grows well in Malibu
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Basil
Grows well
Rosemary
Grows well
Watermelon
Grows well
Fig
Grows well
Lemon Tree
Grows well
Avocado
Grows well
Mango
Grows well
Banana
Grows well
Olive
Grows well
Sunflower
Grows well
Collard Greens
Grows well
Lemongrass
Grows well
Stevia
Grows well
Borage
Grows well
Ginger
Grows well
Pomegranate
Grows well
Okra
Grows well
Bitter Melon (Karela)
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Malibu, CA in?
Malibu, CA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Malibu?
The average last spring frost in Malibu is around no frost, and the first fall frost is typically no frost. Plan to move tender plants outside after no frost and have them harvested (or protected) before no frost.
What grows well in Malibu?
Plenty — Malibu's USDA Zone 11a climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Malibu's growing season?
Malibu typically has around 365 frost-free days per year (roughly no frost to no frost). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Malibu?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Basil, Zucchini are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Malibu.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Malibu?
Yes — Malibu's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Malibu?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around no frost), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.