At a Glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| USDA Zone | 10b |
| Best Planting Season | October–March |
| Typical Lot Size | 4,500–6,000 sq ft |
| Typical Project Cost | $13,000–$68,000 |
| Annual Rainfall | 13 inches |
| Summer High | 79°F |
What Makes a Backyard Different in Long Beach
Long Beach backyards sit at the intersection of coastal fog and inland heat. The marine layer burns off by noon most days, leaving you with 6–8 hours of full sun but cooler nights than you’d find ten miles inland. Your sandy loam drains fast—too fast for heavy feeders—and the combination of low rainfall and LADWP drought restrictions means traditional bluegrass lawns cost $180–$250 per month to keep alive. HOAs in developments east of Redondo Avenue typically prohibit brown lawns but encourage turf removal if you submit a hardscape plan. Salt air near the coast accelerates corrosion on metal furniture and stains unfinished concrete within two years. Prevailing westerlies drive ocean salt up to a mile inland, so your plant palette skews toward salt-tolerant species even if you’re not waterfront.
Design Zones: How to Divide Your Backyard
Entertainment Terrace: Typically adjacent to the house; marine layer keeps evening temps comfortable for outdoor dining without misters. Play Lawn: Reduced to 200–400 sq ft to qualify for LADWP rebates; use ‘UC Verde’ buffalo grass for 30% less water than fescue. Dry Garden:占 the sunniest 40% of the yard; decomposed granite paths between succulents and native perennials handle zero summer irrigation. Edible Zone: South-facing 8×12 raised beds; coastal fog delays tomato ripening by 10–14 days compared to inland valleys. Privacy Screen: Pittosporum or Rhamnus californica along east and west property lines; grow 8–10 feet to block two-story neighbors common in newer subdivisions.
Materials for Long Beach’s Climate
Decomposed Granite (best): locks at 3–4% moisture, stays cool underfoot, no runoff issues, $4.20/sq ft installed. Saltillo Tile (good): survives salt air if sealed annually; unsealed tiles spall within 18 months near the coast. Composite Decking (good): polypropylene blends resist UV and salt; early-generation wood-fiber composites warp in marine layer humidity. Poured Concrete (avoid without sealer): unfinished slabs show salt staining within one season; apply penetrating silane sealer every two years. Redwood (avoid): gorgeous for six months, then coastal moisture and UV turn it silver-gray; requires sanding and re-oiling annually. Gravel (reconsider): migrates in winter storms; LADWP rebate paperwork requires stabilized DG, not loose rock.
What Homeowners Get Wrong in Long Beach
Over-watering Natives: California natives go dormant in summer; weekly drip on Salvia leucophylla causes root rot. Water every 10–14 days June–September, zero water October–May. Skipping Soil Amendment: Sandy loam leaches nitrogen fast. Blend 2 inches of compost into planting beds or your perennials yellow by July. Ignoring the Marine Layer: Morning fog keeps humidity at 75–85% until 11 a.m.; planting too densely invites powdery mildew on susceptible species like Lagerstroemia. Space shrubs 30% wider than inland recommendations. Installing Non-Salt-Tolerant Metal: Mild steel furniture and arbors rust through in 3–4 years; pay the premium for powder-coated aluminum or stainless hardware. Underestimating HOA Landscape Review: Most Long Beach HOAs require submitted plans for any hardscape over 200 sq ft or tree removal; approval takes 4–6 weeks.
Budget Guide for Long Beach
Budget Tier ($13,000): Remove 600 sq ft of turf, install decomposed granite paths and drip irrigation, plant 35 one-gallon natives and succulents, add three Hesperaloe parviflora as focal points, mulch beds with 3 inches of gorilla hair, qualify for $3/sq ft LADWP turf rebate. Mid Tier ($30,000): All budget items plus 400 sq ft composite deck, built-in bench seating, lighting package on timers, upgrade to five-gallon specimens for instant impact, add three 24-inch box Cercis occidentalis for canopy, build two 4×8 raised cedar beds for edibles, install permeable paver strips between DG zones. Premium Tier ($68,000): All mid items plus outdoor kitchen with marine-grade stainless appliances, fire feature with glass surround, automatic drip with soil-moisture sensors, mature 36-inch box trees (two Platanus racemosa, one Quercus agrifolia), custom steel pergola with powder coat, professional landscape lighting on all paths and uplighting on architectural plants, engineered drainage to direct runoff into planted swales instead of storm drains.
Long Beach’s rebate structure rewards turf removal more generously than most California cities—$3 per square foot of lawn replaced with low-water landscaping, versus $2 in neighboring municipalities—but paperwork must show before and after photos, a licensed irrigation plan, and evidence that new plants require 40% less water than removed turf. Coastal Commission permits apply if your property is within the coastal zone boundary (generally west of Pacific Coast Highway); adding a structure over 12 feet tall or modifying drainage requires a coastal development permit, which adds $1,850–$2,200 and 8–12 weeks to your timeline. For more on regional styles, see our guide to Long Beach CA Mediterranean Garden Ideas. If you’re removing turf entirely, explore Long Beach CA No Grass Landscaping for comprehensive options.
Plant Palette
| Plant | Zones | Sun | Water | Height | Why here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Powis Castle’ Artemisia (Artemisia × ‘Powis Castle’) | 5–10 | Full | Low | 3 ft | Silver foliage reflects Long Beach heat; tolerates salt spray within 0.5 miles of coast; thrives in fast-draining sandy loam |
| ‘Berkeley’ Sedge (Carex divulsa) | 7–10 | Partial | Low | 18 in | Evergreen clumping grass for backyard borders; survives on 13 inches annual rain once established; no mowing required |
| ‘Yankee Point’ California Lilac (Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’) | 8–10 | Full | Low | 3 ft | Sprawling groundcover for slopes; blue blooms April–June; salt-tolerant near coast; fixes nitrogen in sandy soil |
| ‘Little John’ Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’) | 9–11 | Full | Low | 3 ft | Compact for small backyards; red blooms attract hummingbirds year-round; marine layer humidity prevents spider mites |
| Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) | 7–9 | Partial | Low | 15 ft | Native canopy for entertainment terrace; magenta blooms February–March before leaves; 8–10 weeks earlier bloom than inland zones |
| ‘Merlot’ Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora ‘Merlot’) | 5–11 | Full | Low | 4 ft | Burgundy flower stalks June–September; no irrigation needed after first summer; architectural focal point for dry garden |
| ‘Gray’s Starlight’ Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii ‘Gray’s Starlight’) | 8–10 | Full | Low | 4 ft | Fragrant foliage deters deer; white blooms April–June; thrives in Long Beach’s low-humidity summers |
| ‘Moonshine’ Yarrow (Achillea × ‘Moonshine’) | 3–9 | Full | Low | 2 ft | Flat yellow blooms May–August; tolerates reflected heat from stucco walls; attracts beneficial insects to edible zone |
| Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’) | 8–11 | Partial | Medium | 3 ft | Salt-tolerant hedge for coastal backyards; compact growth suits narrow side yards; fragrant white blooms March–April |
| ‘Majestic Beauty’ Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis × ‘Majestic Beauty’) | 8–11 | Full | Medium | 6 ft | Pink blooms winter through spring; tolerates salt air up to 1 mile inland; evergreen screen for privacy |
| California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) | 8–10 | Full | Low | 2 ft | Scarlet blooms August–October when most perennials fade; hummingbird magnet; self-sows in sandy loam |
| ‘Dark Star’ Ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’) | 8–10 | Full | Low | 6 ft | Deep blue blooms March–May; rounded form for backyard corners; survives on zero summer water after year two |
| ‘Otto Luyken’ English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’) | 6–9 | Partial | Medium | 4 ft | Evergreen for shaded north side; white blooms April–May; tolerates Long Beach’s marine layer humidity without mildew |
| ‘Canyon Prince’ Wild Rye (Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’) | 7–10 | Full | Low | 4 ft | Blue-gray clumping grass for textural contrast; seed heads persist winter; no summer water needed |
| ‘Autumn Sage’ (Salvia greggii) | 6–9 | Full | Low | 3 ft | Red, pink, or white blooms March–November; reblooms after light shearing; thrives in backyard microclimates with afternoon heat |
Try it on your yard Every plant above is verified for zone 10b and Long Beach’s coastal fog, but seeing them arranged in your actual backyard—with your fence line, patio, and afternoon sun—shows you what works before you dig. See what your backyard could look like →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to landscape a backyard in Long Beach? Budget projects removing turf and installing low-water plants run $13,000–$18,000 for a typical 1,200 sq ft backyard. Mid-tier projects with composite decking, upgraded plants, and lighting cost $28,000–$35,000. Premium builds with outdoor kitchens, mature trees, and custom hardscape reach $60,000–$75,000. LADWP rebates return $3 per square foot of removed turf, so a 600 sq ft lawn removal nets $1,800 back, reducing net cost by 10–15% on budget projects.
What plants survive salt air in Long Beach backyards? ‘Yankee Point’ California lilac, Indian hawthorn, pittosporum, and Hesperaloe all tolerate salt spray within a mile of the coast. Coastal fog carries salt further inland than most homeowners realize—even properties near Los Altos Drive show salt accumulation on leaf surfaces. Avoid Lagerstroemia, Japanese maple, and most citrus unless you’re east of Long Beach Boulevard, where marine influence drops sharply.
Do I need a permit for backyard landscaping in Long Beach? Electrical work, plumbing for outdoor kitchens, and structures over 120 sq ft (pergolas, sheds) require building permits through the Long Beach Development Services counter. Properties within the coastal zone boundary—generally west of PCH—need Coastal Commission review for drainage changes, tree removal of protected species, or structures over 12 feet tall. HOA architectural review is separate and typically takes 4–6 weeks; submit scaled drawings and material samples.
How do I qualify for the LADWP turf removal rebate? Take before photos showing existing lawn, then remove turf and install low-water plants or hardscape that uses 40% less water than turf. Submit application within 120 days of project completion with after photos, irrigation plan, and proof of water-use reduction. LADWP inspects before issuing the $3/sq ft rebate. Minimum removal is 200 sq ft; maximum rebate per property is $6,000. The Hadaa platform generates the annotated site plan LADWP requires, saving you $450–$650 in designer fees.
What’s the best time to plant a backyard in Long Beach? October through March is ideal—plants establish root systems during the cool, wet season and require less supplemental water. Summer planting is possible but demands daily watering for 8–12 weeks. California natives and Mediterranean species transplant best November–February when marine layer keeps morning humidity high and soil temperatures stay above 55°F. Avoid planting January if El Niño storms are forecast; saturated soil causes root rot in containers.
How much water does a Long Beach backyard need? Traditional turf lawns need 1–1.5 inches per week April–October, or roughly 45,000–65,000 gallons annually for a 1,200 sq ft backyard. A native and Mediterranean plant palette drops that to 12,000–18,000 gallons per year—a 70% reduction. Long Beach’s 13 inches of annual rain provides enough winter moisture that established drought-tolerant plants need zero supplemental water November–April and deep watering every 10–14 days May–October.
Can I grow vegetables in a Long Beach backyard? Yes, but coastal fog delays ripening on heat-lovers like tomatoes and peppers by 10–14 days compared to inland valleys. Plant determinate tomato varieties (‘Celebrity’, ‘San Marzano’) that fruit before October fog returns. Leafy greens, kale, and brassicas thrive year-round; start seeds August–February for continuous harvest. Build raised beds 12–18 inches tall and amend sandy loam with 30% compost to retain moisture and nutrients. South-facing beds against a stucco wall gain 5–8°F from reflected heat, extending the season for basil and eggplant.
What hardscape materials last longest in Long Beach’s climate? Decomposed granite and composite decking perform best. DG stays 15–20°F cooler than concrete on summer afternoons and requires no sealing. Polypropylene composite decking resists UV and salt; avoid wood-fiber composites that absorb moisture from marine layer. Saltillo tile works if sealed annually; unsealed tiles spall and crack within two years near the coast. Poured concrete needs penetrating silane sealer every 24 months or you’ll see white salt efflorescence by the second winter.
How do I deal with neighbors’ two-story windows overlooking my backyard? Plant a privacy screen of ‘Silver Sheen’ pittosporum, Rhamnus californica, or bamboo along property lines. These grow 8–12 feet tall within three years and tolerate Long Beach’s part-day shade. For faster results, install a 6-foot fence and top with 3 feet of lattice panels planted with Distictis (blood-red trumpet vine) or evergreen Clematis armandii. HOAs often limit solid fences to 6 feet but allow lattice extensions; check CC&Rs before building.
Do I need to remove all my lawn to get the LADWP rebate? No—you can remove as little as 200 sq ft to qualify, but most homeowners find that keeping a 300–500 sq ft patch of ‘UC Verde’ buffalo grass for kids and pets while converting the rest to dry garden delivers the best balance. Partial removal still qualifies for the $3/sq ft rebate on the converted area. LADWP paperwork requires an irrigation plan showing the new system uses 40% less water than the removed turf section, not the entire yard.
