Zone 10 is among the warmest planting zones in the USDA classification system, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 30 to 40°F (-1 to 4°C). Frost is extremely rare, allowing many tropical and subtropical plants to thrive outdoors year-round. This makes it a gardener’s paradise for lush, exotic, and colorful landscapes.
The climate in this zone supports a wide range of flowers, shrubs, and trees that cannot tolerate cold. Plants like hibiscus, plumeria, bougainvillea, and bird of paradise grow especially well here. The long, warm growing season also benefits fruits such as citrus, mangoes, avocados, and bananas, which struggle in cooler areas.
Zone 10 is primarily found in southern parts of the United States. It includes much of southern Florida, areas of southern California near the coast, parts of southern Arizona, and portions of coastal southern Texas. These regions share consistently warm conditions that rarely drop to freezing.
Gardeners in Zone 10 must pay attention to soil and water management. Sandy soils in coastal areas drain quickly, while heavy rains or irrigation can create challenges in other places. Choosing drought-tolerant or native plants helps balance the demands of heat, occasional dryness, and seasonal storms.
Perennial Flowers For Zone 10
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Hibiscus is a tropical showstopper in Zone 10, producing large, vibrant blooms in shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, and even multicolors. These plants love full sun, warm temperatures, and regular watering, making them a staple for tropical gardens. They can flower nearly year-round in Zone 10, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Plumeria (Plumeria spp.)
Plumeria, often associated with Hawaiian leis, thrives in Zone 10’s warmth. Its fragrant, waxy flowers appear in clusters and range from white and yellow to pink, red, and multi-hued varieties. Plumeria prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, making it perfect for a tropical garden setting.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Technically a woody vine, bougainvillea behaves like a perennial flowering plant in Zone 10. Its vibrant bracts—often mistaken for petals—surround small white flowers and come in bold shades of magenta, purple, orange, and red. It’s drought-tolerant, thrives in heat, and adds dramatic color to trellises, fences, and walls.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
This iconic tropical perennial is loved for its striking flowers that resemble exotic birds. Bird of Paradise thrives in full sun to partial shade and needs rich, well-draining soil. In Zone 10, it blooms abundantly, lending a tropical elegance to landscapes while also being low-maintenance once established.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana is a heat- and drought-tolerant perennial flower that thrives in Zone 10 gardens. It produces clusters of small flowers that often change colors as they age, creating a multi-hued effect of oranges, yellows, pinks, and purples. Lantana is also beloved for its ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Pentas, also called Egyptian star cluster, is a long-blooming perennial in Zone 10. It produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, lavender, or white. With its ability to bloom nearly year-round, pentas is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun and warm conditions.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Coreopsis, sometimes known as tickseed, thrives in Zone 10’s sunny climate. It offers daisy-like flowers in cheerful yellow, red, or bi-colored forms. This perennial is both heat- and drought-tolerant, making it a reliable low-maintenance bloomer for beds, borders, and pollinator gardens.
Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex)
Mexican petunia is a hardy perennial for Zone 10 that produces trumpet-shaped purple, pink, or white flowers. It’s tolerant of both heat and humidity and can thrive in a variety of soil types. With its prolific blooming habit and resilience, it’s often used in mass plantings for color.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)
Blanket flower is a tough perennial that thrives in the warmth of Zone 10. Its daisy-like flowers come in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow, often with bi-colored patterns that resemble flames. It is drought-tolerant, loves full sun, and blooms for a long season, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens.
African Iris (Dietes bicolor / Dietes grandiflora)
African iris is a versatile perennial that produces orchid-like flowers in shades of white, yellow, or purple, depending on the variety. It thrives in Zone 10’s warm climate and blooms repeatedly throughout the year. Its sword-like foliage adds structure to landscapes, making it a great option for borders or accents.
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Salvia is a heat-loving perennial that thrives in Zone 10, producing spikes of flowers in shades of blue, purple, red, or pink. It’s drought-tolerant once established and is highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. With its long blooming season, salvia adds vibrant vertical accents to sunny gardens.
Ixora (Ixora coccinea)
Ixora is a tropical shrub-like perennial with clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers in red, orange, yellow, or pink. It thrives in full sun and warmth, blooming nearly year-round in Zone 10. Often called “jungle flame,” Ixora is excellent for borders, hedges, or containers.
Ginger Lily (Hedychium spp.)
Ginger lilies are fragrant perennials with lush, tropical foliage and stunning flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and orange. They thrive in Zone 10’s warmth and humidity, adding an exotic, jungle-like feel to the landscape. Some varieties also provide sweet fragrance, enhancing evening gardens.
Cannas (Canna spp.)
Canna lilies are striking perennials with bold, banana-like leaves and showy flowers in bright shades of red, orange, yellow, or pink. They thrive in the warmth of Zone 10 and can bloom almost year-round. Their dramatic foliage and tropical look make them popular for borders, water gardens, or focal points.
Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)
Gaura, also known as “whirling butterflies,” produces delicate, airy flowers that flutter in the breeze, usually in white or pink shades. It loves full sun and thrives in heat, making it perfect for Zone 10. Gaura has a graceful, wildflower-like charm that softens garden borders.
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)
Blue daze is a low-growing perennial with small, sky-blue flowers that bloom profusely in warm weather. It thrives in full sun and is excellent as a groundcover or container plant. In Zone 10, it provides nearly continuous color, contrasting beautifully against its silvery-green foliage.
Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
Plumbago is a sprawling perennial shrub that produces clusters of pale blue or white flowers. It thrives in Zone 10’s hot climate, tolerating drought and poor soils once established. Plumbago is great for mass plantings, hedges, or as a cascading feature over walls.
Justicia (Justicia brandegeeana & Justicia carnea)
Justicia species, such as shrimp plant (J. brandegeeana) and Brazilian plume (J. carnea), thrive in warm climates and produce unique, showy flower bracts. Their vibrant red, pink, or yellow displays attract pollinators, while their tolerance for heat makes them excellent perennials for Zone 10 gardens.
Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
Desert rose is a striking succulent-like perennial with swollen trunks and trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. Perfect for Zone 10’s warm, dry conditions, it thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. It doubles as a dramatic ornamental and a drought-tolerant bloomer.
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
Crown of Thorns is a perennial succulent that produces small, colorful flowers almost year-round in Zone 10. Known for its thorny stems and vibrant bracts, it’s both drought- and heat-tolerant, making it a reliable bloomer. It’s often used in rock gardens, containers, or sunny borders.
Heliconia (Heliconia spp.)
Heliconia, sometimes called “lobster claw,” produces bold, tropical flowers in vivid red, orange, or yellow with striking bracts. It thrives in Zone 10’s humid and warm climate, often blooming throughout the year. With its dramatic height and exotic look, heliconia is ideal for creating a tropical paradise feel.