When to plant in Pasadena, CA
USDA Zone 10aPasadena, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With only about -1 frost-free days, Pasadena has a short season — start heat-lovers indoors early, favor quick-maturing varieties, and use row cover to stretch both ends. Zone 10a is warm enough that Pasadena can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
PASADENA · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Pasadena’s own odds, recorded at PASADENA.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 27 | Jan 17 | Dec 18 | Dec 5 | Dec 28 | Feb 7 |
| 32°F | Feb 17 | Jan 8 | Dec 20 | Dec 20 | Jan 7 | Feb 14 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Pasadena, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 10 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Pasadena planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Pasadena, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Pasadena is around January 8 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Pasadena, CA?
Expect Pasadena's first fall frost near January 7 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Pasadena in?
Pasadena is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Pasadena?
There are roughly -1 frost-free days in Pasadena (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 8 to the first fall frost near January 7.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pasadena?
In Pasadena, start tomato seeds indoors around November 13–November 27, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 15 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Pasadena
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Pasadena’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Altadena · 4 km
- San Marino · 5 km
- South Pasadena · 6 km
- East San Gabriel · 7 km
- La Cañada Flintridge · 8 km
- Sierra Madre · 8 km
- San Gabriel · 8 km
- Alhambra · 9 km
Frost dates recorded at PASADENA, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Pasadena, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00046719. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/pasadena.