United States regional guide · CA

Permaculture in California

California contains cool foggy coasts, Mediterranean valleys, snowy mountains, and hot deserts. Water availability, wildfire exposure, chill hours, and local heat matter more than a single statewide planting calendar.

USDA span

5a–11a

Census region

West

Climate starting point

USDA hardiness zones in California

California includes USDA zones 5a–11a. Hardiness zones describe typical annual extreme minimum temperatures; within-state elevation, wind, water, soil, and urban heat can change what succeeds on a particular site.

Zone 5aZone 5bZone 6aZone 6bZone 7aZone 7bZone 8aZone 8bZone 9aZone 9bZone 10aZone 10bZone 11a

Regional plant starting points

Plants to explore for a California design

These plants are useful starting points for researching a design in California. Confirm each choice against your exact zone, site conditions, local ecology, and management goals.

01Zones 8–10

Olive

Olea europaea

Layer: Canopy
Type: Evergreen Tree

02Zones 7–9

Almond

Prunus amygdalus

Layer: Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

03Zones 7–9

Fig

Ficus carica

Layer: Sub-Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

04Zones 6–9

Wine Grape

Vitis vinifera

Layer: Vine
Type: Vine

05Zones 8–10

Pomegranate

Punica granatum

Layer: Sub-Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

06Zones 10–12

Avocado

Persea americana

Layer: Canopy
Type: Evergreen Tree

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