USDA hardiness zone
Zone 9 — 20 to 30°F
Central + South Florida, Southern Texas, Southern California, Arizona · 280-day growing season
What grows in Zone 9
Zone 9 suits the following plants based on temperature tolerance and growing-season length:
- Tomatoes (year-round in many areas)
- Peppers (all year)
- Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit)
- Avocado
- Mango (warmer areas)
- Banana
- Sweet potatoes
- Okra
- Southern peas
- Pomegranates
- Figs
- Cool-season greens (winter)
Climate notes for Zone 9
Heat-tolerant tomato varieties (Solar Fire, Heatwave II) needed for midsummer. Cool-season crops grow Oct-Apr while northern zones are dormant.
Frost dates and timing
| Average last spring frost | mid-February to early March |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | late November / early December |
| Growing season length | ~280 days |
| Temperature range (F) | 20 to 30°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -7 to -1°C |
These are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth) can shift dates by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.
Source and methodology
Temperature ranges from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online national averages within each zone. Plant recommendations curated by the Growli editorial team from US extension service references.
What to plant in Zone 9
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for zone 9:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 9
- When to plant peppers in zone 9
- When to plant basil in zone 9
- When to plant garlic in zone 9
- When to plant lettuce in zone 9
- When to plant bush beans in zone 9
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 9
- When to plant summer squash in zone 9
- When to plant peas in zone 9
- When to plant carrots in zone 9