What temperature range is USDA zone 11a?

Zone 11a covers areas whose average annual extreme minimum winter temperature is 40 to 45 °F. Each numbered zone is a 10°F band; the "a" and "b" half-zones split it into 5°F steps.

Does zone 11a tell me when to plant?

No — the hardiness zone tells you which perennials survive winter, not when to sow annual vegetables. Planting dates depend on your local last and first frost, which can vary within a single zone. Open one of the sample locations in zone 11a to see its frost calendar and per-crop planting windows.

What can I grow in zone 11a?

Almost any common vegetable can be grown in zone 11a; what changes with zone and local climate is the timing and the length of the season. Cold-hardy crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) go out earliest, tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the last frost. Use each location's calendar for exact dates.

USDA hardiness zone 11a — frost dates & what to plant

USDA hardiness zone 11a

Average annual extreme minimum temperature: 40 to 45 °F

USDA plant hardiness zone 11a covers areas whose average annual extreme minimum winter temperature is 40 to 45 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive an average winter. Hardiness zone sets winter survival, but planting DATES depend on your local frost calendar, which varies within a zone. 26 locations on this site fall in zone 11a (Boca Raton, FL, Boca Raton, FL, Captiva, FL, Cutler Bay, FL, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Hollywood, FL, Homestead, FL, and 18 more); open one to see its frost dates, growing-season length, and a printable per-crop planting calendar.

Locations in zone 11a

Same zone, different frost calendars — open one for its full planner.
Location	Last frost	First frost	Season (days)
Boca Raton, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Boca Raton, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Captiva, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Cutler Bay, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Fort Lauderdale, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Fort Lauderdale, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Hollywood, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Homestead, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Honalo, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365
Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365
Kendall, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Laupahoehoe, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365
Los Angeles, CA	frost-free	frost-free	365
Los Angeles, CA	frost-free	frost-free	365
Miami, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Miami, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Miami, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Mountain View, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365
North Key Largo, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Paauilo, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365
Pembroke Park, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
Pembroke Pines, FL	frost-free	frost-free	365
San Diego, CA	frost-free	frost-free	365
San Diego, CA	frost-free	frost-free	365
Volcano, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365
Waikoloa, HI	frost-free	frost-free	365

Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (public domain) and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Planting windows synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides.

What zone 11a means for your garden

A plant rated "hardy to zone 11a" can be expected to survive a winter whose coldest night lands in the 40 to 45 °F range — the metric the USDA map is built on. That governs perennials, shrubs, and trees. For annual vegetables, what matters is the frost calendar: the dates of the average last spring and first fall freeze, which set when it is safe to plant and how long the season runs. Those come from the individual location pages above.

Zones are from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP — see the methodology page. Browse all hardiness zones or crop-by-crop timing.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature range is USDA zone 11a?: Zone 11a covers areas whose average annual extreme minimum winter temperature is 40 to 45 °F. Each numbered zone is a 10°F band; the "a" and "b" half-zones split it into 5°F steps.
Does zone 11a tell me when to plant?: No — the hardiness zone tells you which perennials survive winter, not when to sow annual vegetables. Planting dates depend on your local last and first frost, which can vary within a single zone. Open one of the sample locations in zone 11a to see its frost calendar and per-crop planting windows.
What can I grow in zone 11a?: Almost any common vegetable can be grown in zone 11a; what changes with zone and local climate is the timing and the length of the season. Cold-hardy crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) go out earliest, tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the last frost. Use each location's calendar for exact dates.