What to Plant in December in Zone 11
144 crops you can start in zone 11a & 11b during December. Zone 11 doesn't get a killing frost in a typical year, so these dates follow the local growing seasons rather than frost dates. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 11.
Start indoors in December
Seeds to start under lights or on a sunny sill this month. Dates are the indoor-start window for zone 11.
Vegetables & herbs
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Dec 4–Dec 11
- CucamelonDec 4–Dec 11
- EggplantJun–DecSummer
- Luffa GourdDec 4–Dec 11
- PurslaneDec 11–Dec 18
- Sweet PotatoOct–JulFall
- TomatoJun–DecSummer
Peppers
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Jun–DecSummer
- Bell PepperJun–DecSummer
- Cayenne PepperJun–DecSummer
- Chile de Árbol PepperJun–DecSummer
- Cubanelle PepperJun–DecSummer
- Fresno PepperJun–DecSummer
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)Jun–DecSummer
- Hungarian Wax PepperJun–DecSummer
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)Jun–DecSummer
- Jalapeño PepperJun–DecSummer
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)Jun–DecSummer
- Padrón PepperJun–DecSummer
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)Jun–DecSummer
- Pimento PepperJun–DecSummer
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)Jun–DecSummer
- Serrano PepperJun–DecSummer
- Shishito PepperJun–DecSummer
- Sweet Banana PepperJun–DecSummer
- Sweet Cherry PepperJun–DecSummer
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)Jun–DecSummer
Flowers
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Dec 4–Dec 11
- Carthamus (Safflower)Dec 4–Dec 11
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Dec 4–Dec 11
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Dec 4–Dec 11
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Dec 11–Dec 18
- Scarlet Runner BeanDec 11–Dec 18
- ZinniaDec 4–Dec 11
Sow or plant outside in December
What goes in the ground this month, either as seed or as a transplant. Dates are the planting-out window for zone 11.
Vegetables & herbs
- ArtichokeTransplantDec 11–Dec 18
- ArugulaDirect sowOct–MarFall
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Direct sowDec 11–Dec 18
- Bush BeansDirect sowSep–AprFall
- CantaloupeSow or transplantDec–MarFall
- Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)Sow or transplantDec 11–Dec 18
- Collard GreensSow or transplantSep–JanFall
- CucumberSow or transplantSep–FebFall
- EggplantTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Escarole (Endive)Sow or transplantSep–MarFall
- Flower SproutsTransplantDec 18–Dec 25
- Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)Direct sowDec 18–Dec 25
- KalettesTransplantDec 18–Dec 25
- KohlrabiSow or transplantOct–FebFall
- KomatsunaDirect sowDec 18–Dec 25
- Lima BeanDirect sowSep–AprFall
- Mâche (Corn Salad)Direct sowDec 4–Dec 11
- Magenta SpreenDirect sowDec 11–Dec 18
- MizunaDirect sowDec 11–Dec 18
- Mustard GreensDirect sowSep–JanFall
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Sow or transplantSep–AprFall
- Orach (Mountain Spinach)Direct sowDec 18–Dec 25
- PeaDirect sowNov–FebFall
- Summer Squash (Yellow)Sow or transplantAug–MarSummer
- Sweet PotatoTransplantDec–SepFall
- TatsoiDirect sowDec 11–Dec 18
- TomatoTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Upland CressDirect sowDec 25–Jan 1
- WatermelonDirect sowDec–MarFall
- ZucchiniSow or transplantAug–MarSummer
Peppers
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- 7 Pot Primo PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Aji Amarillo PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Bell PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Carolina Reaper PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Cayenne PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Chile de Árbol PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Cubanelle PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Datil PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Dorset Naga PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Fresno PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Guajillo Pepper (Mirasol)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Habanero PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Hungarian Wax PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Italian Frying Pepper (Corno di Toro, Marconi)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Jalapeño PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Komodo Dragon PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Lemon Drop PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Mini Sweet Pepper (Snacking)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Naga Viper PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Padrón PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Pasilla Pepper (Chilaca)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Pimento PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Poblano Pepper (Ancho)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Rocoto PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Scotch Bonnet PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Serrano PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Shishito PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Sweet Banana PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Sweet Cherry PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Tabasco PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Thai Chili Pepper (Bird's Eye)TransplantAug–FebSummer
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T PepperTransplantAug–FebSummer
Flowers
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)Sow or transplantDec 18–Dec 25
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)Sow or transplantDec 18–Dec 25
- Bells of IrelandSow or transplantDec 25–Jan 1
- Black-Eyed SusanSow or transplantDec 11–Dec 18
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)Sow or transplantDec 18–Dec 25
- CalendulaSow or transplantDec 18–Dec 25
- CandytuftDirect sowDec 18–Dec 25
- Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring)Sow or transplantDec 11–Dec 18
- Corn PoppyDirect sowDec 18–Dec 25
- Cynoglossum (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)Sow or transplantDec 11–Dec 18
- GladiolusPlant bulbsDec 18–Dec 25
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Sow or transplantDec 25–Jan 1
- Pansy / ViolaTransplantDec 18–Dec 25
- Phacelia (Lacy Phacelia)Direct sowDec 11–Dec 18
- Phlox (Annual)Sow or transplantDec 25–Jan 1
- Saponaria (Soapwort)Sow or transplantDec 11–Dec 18
Still time to start indoors
The usual indoor-start date for these has passed, but planting-out hasn't come yet. Seed started now still makes a transplant, just a smaller one. Buying starts is the easy alternative. Dates are when they go outside.
Vegetables & herbs
- AchiraPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- BasilPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Bok ChoyPlant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Plant outJan 22–Jan 29
- JicamaPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Malabar SpinachPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- MaukaPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Mexican Mint MarigoldPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- OreganoPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- RosemaryPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Summer SavoryPlant outJan 1–Jan 8
- ThymePlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- TobaccoPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- TomatilloPlant outJan 22–Jan 29
- YaconPlant outJan 22–Jan 29
Flowers
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Plant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Black-Eyed Susan VinePlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Campanula (Bellflower)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- CelosiaPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Cerinthe (Honeywort)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
- China AsterPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Plant outJan 15–Jan 22
- ColeusPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- CosmosPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Craspedia (Drumstick Flower)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Dusty MillerPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- EucalyptusPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
- GazaniaPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Helipterum (Paper Daisy)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- ImpatiensPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- LisianthusPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- MarigoldPlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- MoonflowerPlant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- PetuniaPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Portulaca (Moss Rose)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- Salvia (Scarlet Sage)Plant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)Plant outJan 8–Jan 15
- StaticePlant outJan 8–Jan 15
- StockPlant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Sweet AlyssumPlant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
- Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)Plant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)Plant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)Plant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Wax BegoniaPlant outJan 15–Jan 22
- Xeranthemum (Immortelle)Plant outJan 1–Jan 8
← November in zone 11 · January in zone 11 →
Keep planning
Growing guides
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December in other zones: zone 8, zone 9, zone 10
Worth having in December
5-Tier Adjustable Wire Shelving UnitAdjustable shelves for a seed-starting rack, set up before the indoor-start dates arrive.Check price on Amazon →OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost BinA countertop bin for kitchen scraps through the winter.Check price on Amazon →Felco 2 Bypass PrunersClean bypass cuts for late-winter pruning of fruit trees and shrubs.Check price on Amazon →
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What to plant in December in zone 11: 144 crops to start indoors or plant outside, including tomato, basil, sweet potato, watermelon, with exact dates for zone 11a and 11b.
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