Cold-Hardy Plants for Zone 8b

Rated hardy to 0°F or colder by a cited source.

4.8 Stars / 114 Reviews CSLB #957605 Since 2009

Reviewed by Freddie Ruiz, Owner and CSLB-licensed contractor License C-27 #957605 Building landscapes in the High Desert since 2009 Last updated September 29, 2026

The Victor Valley is USDA zone 8b, where the average coldest night of the year is 15 to 20°F, and cold pockets run lower. Every plant here is rated by a cited source as hardy to 0°F or colder.

17 Cold-Hardy Plants for Zone 8b That Handle the High Desert

Autumn Sage

Salvia greggii

Shrub · Moderate water · Hardy to 0°F

Beaked Yucca

Yucca rostrata

Accent · Very low water · Hardy to -10 to -20°F

Blue Fescue

Festuca glauca

Ornamental grass · Moderate water · Hardy to -30°F

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

Shrub · Very low water · Hardy to -20°F (interior form)

California Fuchsia

Epilobium canum

Perennial · Moderate water · Hardy to 0°F

Chinese Pistache

Pistacia chinensis

Tree · Moderate water · Hardy to about -10°F

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica and hybrids

Tree · Moderate water · Hardy to about 0°F (zone 7a)

Creosote Bush

Larrea tridentata

Shrub · Very low water · Hardy to 0 to 10°F

Deer Grass

Muhlenbergia rigens

Ornamental grass · Moderate water · Hardy to -10°F

Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

Tree · Moderate water · Hardy to -10 to 15°F by source

Honey Mesquite

Prosopis glandulosa

Tree · Low water · Hardy to 0°F

Joshua Tree

Yucca brevifolia

Accent · Very low water · Hardy to -10 to -20°F

Lavender

Lavandula spp.

Perennial · Moderate water · Hardy to -20°F (English)

Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

Accent shrub · Very low water · Hardy to 0 to 20°F by source

Penstemon

Penstemon palmeri, P. eatonii and P. parryi

Perennial · Low water · Hardy to -30 to 15°F by species

Red Yucca

Hesperaloe parviflora

Accent succulent · Low water · Hardy to -20°F

Russian Sage

Salvia yangii (formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Perennial · Low water · Hardy to -30°F (zone 4)

Quick Comparison

Plant	Water (High Desert)	Cold hardy to	Size	Pets
Autumn Sage	Moderate	0°F	2 to 3 ft	Not on ASPCA list
Beaked Yucca	Very low	-10 to -20°F	10 to 15 ft over time	Toxic (ASPCA)
Blue Fescue	Moderate	-30°F	6 to 10 in	Not on ASPCA list
California Buckwheat	Very low	-20°F (interior form)	2 to 3 ft	Not on ASPCA list
California Fuchsia	Moderate	0°F	3 to 18 in	Not on ASPCA list
Chinese Pistache	Moderate	About -10°F	30 to 35 ft	Not on ASPCA list
Crape Myrtle	Moderate	About 0°F (zone 7a)	6 to 30 ft by variety	Non-toxic (ASPCA)
Creosote Bush	Very low	0 to 10°F	3 to 12 ft	Non-toxic (ASPCA)
Deer Grass	Moderate	-10°F	4 to 5 ft	Not on ASPCA list
Desert Willow	Moderate	-10 to 15°F by source	20 to 25 ft	Not on ASPCA list
Honey Mesquite	Low	0°F	About 20 ft or more	Not on ASPCA list
Joshua Tree	Very low	-10 to -20°F	5 to 20 ft	Toxic (ASPCA)
Lavender	Moderate	-20°F (English)	3 to 4 ft	Toxic (ASPCA)
Ocotillo	Very low	0 to 20°F by source	15 to 20 ft	Not on ASPCA list
Penstemon	Low	-30 to 15°F by species	Varies by species	Not on ASPCA list
Red Yucca	Low	-20°F	3 to 4 ft	Not on ASPCA list
Russian Sage	Low	-30°F (zone 4)	3 to 5 ft	Not on ASPCA list

Related Guides & Services

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