What Grows in San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco's cool foggy summers are actually ideal for cool-season crops year-round rather than warm crops.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
San Francisco is in USDA Zone 10b with about 300 frost-free days, and you can grow broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and more here.
Planting tips for San Francisco
Fog limits heat crops — focus on cool-season vegetables. Tomatoes need warmest spots and varieties.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost January 15, first frost December 10.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Swiss Chard, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rosemary, Oregano, Strawberry
What grows well in San Francisco
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
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Basil
Grows well
Rosemary
Grows well
Oregano
Grows well
Strawberry
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
Mustard Greens
Grows well
Lemongrass
Grows well
Stevia
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is San Francisco, CA in?
San Francisco, CA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in San Francisco?
The average last spring frost in San Francisco is around January 15, and the first fall frost is typically December 10. Plan to move tender plants outside after January 15 and have them harvested (or protected) before December 10.
What grows well in San Francisco?
Plenty — San Francisco's USDA Zone 10b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is San Francisco's growing season?
San Francisco typically has around 300 frost-free days per year (roughly January 15 to December 10). 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 San Francisco?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Basil, Mustard Greens are among the quickest from seed to harvest in San Francisco.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in San Francisco?
Yes — San Francisco'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 San Francisco?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around January 15), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.