What Grows in New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans' subtropical climate with hot humid summers and mild winters enables near year-round production.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
New Orleans is in USDA Zone 9a with about 270 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, and more here.
Planting tips for New Orleans
Near year-round growing. Hot humid summers limit some crops. Cool crops Oct-April.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost February 1, first frost November 25.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Mint
Garlic
What grows well in New Orleans
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
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Basil
Grows well
Mint
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is New Orleans, LA in?
New Orleans, LA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in New Orleans?
The average last spring frost in New Orleans is around February 1, and the first fall frost is typically November 25. Plan to move tender plants outside after February 1 and have them harvested (or protected) before November 25.
What grows well in New Orleans?
Plenty — New Orleans's USDA Zone 9a climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is New Orleans's growing season?
New Orleans typically has around 270 frost-free days per year (roughly February 1 to November 25). 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 New Orleans?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in New Orleans.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in New Orleans?
Yes — New Orleans'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 New Orleans?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around February 1), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.