How to Use Hardiness Zones for Plants to Figure Out What Will Grow (2024)

Gardening
Gardening By Region

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps you zero in on the perennials, trees, and shrubs that tolerate your climate.

Viveka Neveln

Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media.

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Updated on December 13, 2023

Reviewed by

David McKinney

Reviewed byDavid McKinney

David McKinney is an experienced plantsman sharing his expertise in horticulture. His knowledge spans landscape management, growing plants indoors and in the greenhouse, ecological plant selection, and much more. With nearly 15 years in the industry, he is well versed in both herbaceous and woody plants with additional interest in entomology.

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Let's say you've just heard about a gorgeous perennial or a spectacular shrub you want to add to your garden. Will it survive in your region? This dilemma is why the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was created. A glance at it, and you can figure out your Zone. Terrific, now what?

Most hardy plants have a zone rating to indicate where they will survive the winters from year to year. Maybe the plant you have your eye on is hardy in Zones 5-9, and you live in Zone 4. That could be iffy, but you could try it if you don't mind a little risk for the thrill of growing something that usually wouldn't survive in your region. You could also play it safe and find another plant that can withstand your area's coldest temperatures. Either way, here's how you can use USDA Plant Hardiness Zones to guide your decision.

How to Use Hardiness Zones for Plants to Figure Out What Will Grow (3)

The 2023 version of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map shows that about half the country shifted to the next warmer half subzone in the decade since the previous 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and the rest of the country stayed in the same subzone.

What Is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map?

You've probably run across the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map or references to it in garden magazines and books, as well as on seed packets or in plant catalogs. This map divides the United States into 13 Zones (each of which is then divided into two subzones labeled "a" and "b"). Each Zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter than the adjacent Zone. The lower the Zone number, the colder the region. The two subzones in each Zone represent 5°F increments.

5 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

Although factors other than temperature affect a plant's ability to survive in a particular climate, the USDA map is a good starting point when you're deciding what to grow. However, in many areas of the country, elevation and precipitation can have more of an effect on plant survival than only the temperature.

How to Use Hardiness Zones for Plants to Figure Out What Will Grow (4)

What You Can Grow in Your Hardiness Zone

For annual flowers, such as petunias, and vegetables, such as zucchini, you don't need to pay attention to hardiness zones because these plants usually complete their life cycle (seed sprouting to seed producing) in a single season. You might see these plants given a zone rating of 0 to indicate they aren't hardy anywhere. However, when you're dealing with perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees that typically live for many years, you want to know the coldest temperatures a species is expected to survive and compare that to the zone you're in.

When considering the hardiness zones a particular plant is rated for, think of that information as a guideline, not a guarantee that it will survive in your climate. The list below provides examples of plants that can take the cold in each USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. Only the coldest zone for each listed plant is considered; some plants won't thrive in substantially warmer areas, but some will. Check with the source of your plants for information on whether they are well-suited to your area.

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Zone 1: -50°F to -60°F

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Most gardeners aren't dealing with freezing Zone 1 temperatures; only a few parts of Alaska, including cities such as Fairbanks, fall into this zone. Still, Zone 1 plants can withstand some of the most frigid conditions because winter temperatures in this Zone can drop to -60°F.

When to Plant: Mid-June

Common Plants:

Netleaf willow (Salix reticulata)
Dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa)
Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum)
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Pennsylvania cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica)
Lapland rhododendron (Rhododendron lapponicum)

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Zone 2: -50°F to -40°F

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Again, Zone 2 mainly refers to areas in Alaska, including cities such as Prudhoe Bay and Unalakleet. However, the northernmost tip of Minnesota also falls in Zone 2b, so if you live in or near Pinecreek, you'll want to look for plants that are hardy in Zone 2. Temperatures in Zone 2 can get down to -50°F in the winter.

When to Plant: Mid-June

Common Plants:

Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata)
Eastern larch (Larix laricina)
Bush cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa)
American cranberry bush (Viburnum trilobum)

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Zone 3: -40°F to -30°F

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Most plants native to the U.S. are found within Zones 3 to 10; the toughest of plants can withstand all of these zones. Zone 3 plants can withstand cold temperatures of -40°F to -30°F. The upper Midwest states and some northeast states hold most of Zone 3, such as northern parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, New York, and Maine.

When to Plant: Mid-May

Common Plants:

Foxglove (Digitalis selections)
Wood fern (Dryopteris selections)
Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
Common juniper (Junipercus communis)
Siberian crabapple (Malus baccata)
Goldenrod (Solidago selections)
American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

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Zone 4: -30°F to -20°F

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Zone 4 plants can withstand minimum chill temps from -30°F to -20°F. You can find this zone in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern areas of Eastern states such as New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

When to Plant: Mid-May

Common Plants:

Zone 5: -20°F to -10°F

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This zone is another common one for the Midwest and Northeastern states, where humidity stays high during the summers, and winters can reach as low as -20°F to -10°F. You can find Zone 5 in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York.

When to Plant: Mid-April

Common Plants:

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
Delphinium (Delphinium selections)
Slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis)
Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
Sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis)
Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata)

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Zone 6: -10°F to 0°F

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It's the middle of the road for Zone 6. You can find this zone in Pacific Northwest states, such as Washington and Oregon, and stretching over the middle of the U.S. in states such as Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, New Mexico, and all the way through Ohio. Plants in this zone can withstand temperatures of -10°F to 0°F.

When to Plant: Mid-April

Common Plants:

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Coralbells (Heuchera)
American holly (Ilex opaca)
Weeping willow (Salix babylonica)

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Zone 7: 0°F to 10°F

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Winters only occasionally hit the negatives in this zone. Plants in Zone 7 can handle temperatures of 0°F to 10°F. You can find this zone in some parts of Washington and Oregon and down through upper Texas, Oklahoma, and most of the way through Virginia and North Carolina.

When to Plant: Mid-April

Common Plants:

Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
Bleeding heart (Dicentra)
English holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Magnolia tree (Magnolia selections)
Texas rock rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)
Kurume azalea (Rhododendron Kurume hybrids)
English yew (Taxus baccata)

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Zone 8: 10°F to 20°F

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Things are starting to heat up in Zone 8. In this zone, native plants are loving the warmth. Also, plants have a longer growing season in Zone 8. You can find this zone in part of the West Coast and most of the South, such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas, and along the coast of Virginia.

When to Plant: Mid-March

Common Plants:

Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
Mexican orange (Choisya temata)
Hibiscus (Hibiscus selections)
New Zealand daisy-bush (Olearia haastii)
Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
Cherry-laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus)
Yucca (Yucca selections)

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Zone 9: 20°F to 30°F

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It's pure California dreaming with hot and heavy temperatures hitting this zone. These plants can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F to 30°F but thrive in 70°F-90°F temperatures. You can find Zone 9 consuming California's landscape, along with southern Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.

When to Plant: Mid-February

Common Plants:

Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceous)
Dahlia (Dahlia selections)
Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
Fuchsia (Fuchsia selections)
Silk-oak (Grevillea robusta)
Sweetshade tree (Hymenosporum flavum)
California pepper tree (Schinus molle)
Australian bush cherry (Syzygium paniculatum)

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Zone 10: 30°F to 40°F

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Zone 10 sees some of the hottest temperatures in the U.S., prevalent in tropical places such as Southern California, extreme-southern Texas, and southern Florida. Plants in this zone can handle temperatures as low as 30°F to 40°F.

When to Plant: Mid-January

Common Plants:

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis)
Golden shower (Cassia fistula)
Ensete (Ensete ventricosum)
Lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora)
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
Violet churcu (Iochroma cyaneum)
Royal palm (Roystonea regia)
Palmetto palm tree (Sabal spp.)

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Zone 11: 40°F to 50°F

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Tropical plants flourish in Zone 11, which covers Hawaii. This zone enjoys year-round heat, and plants can withstand temperatures above 40°F to 50°F. There is no frost whatsoever, and native plants thrive throughout the entire year.

When to Plant: Any time

Common Plants:

Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia)
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
Grevillea (Grevillea)

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FAQs

How to Use Hardiness Zones for Plants to Figure Out What Will Grow? ›

The lower the Zone number, the colder the region. The two subzones in each Zone represent 5°F increments. Although factors other than temperature affect a plant's ability to survive in a particular climate, the USDA map is a good starting point when you're deciding what to grow.

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How is the Hardiness Zone determined? ›

The Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree F zones ranging from zone 1 (coldest) to zone 13 (warmest). Each zone is divided into half zones designated as 'a' and 'b'.

How are USDA plant hardiness zones used to identify plants? ›

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location.

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Why are plant hardiness zones important? ›

That's where the Plant Hardiness Zone Map comes in. It helps expert and amateur gardeners know which plants have the highest chance of success in their climate so they can avoid planting something that would never survive the winter or a spring frost.

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What is the most important factor in determining plant hardiness? ›

Many factors affect the way plants grow, but making sure the climate is suitable for them is probably the most important. Overall climates can have a wide range so hardiness zones are helpful when learning which plants can withstand your local weather.

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What is the meaning of plant hardiness? ›

Hardiness of plants describes their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. It is usually limited to discussions of climatic adversity. Thus a plant's ability to tolerate cold, heat, drought, flooding, or wind are typically considered measurements of hardiness.

What are the hardiness levels? ›

Gardener's Edge Zone Map:

Zone 1	-60° to -50° F
Zone 4	-31° to -20° F
Zone 5	-21° to -10° F
Zone 6	-11° to 0° F
Zone 7	1° to 10° F

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How strict are hardiness zones? ›

This map divides the United States into 13 Zones (each of which is then divided into two subzones labeled "a" and "b"). Each Zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter than the adjacent Zone.

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What are the consequences of plant hardiness zones changing? ›

As minimum temperatures warm and a location's planting zone increases (e.g., from Zone 5 to Zone 6), certain plants and insects may expand into areas where they previously wouldn't have survived the coldest winter temperatures.

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How can cinnamon help a garden? ›

Since cinnamon inhibits the development of fungal pathogens, it can also be used on seedlings, directly after germination. Cinnamon helps protect seedlings against rot, which ultimately accelerates growth.

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What is the most important factor for plant growth? ›

The important factors affecting the growth of plants include: Temperature: Growth is accelerated with the increase in temperature. Light: Light intensity, duration of light and the quality of light influence many physiological processes occurring in a plant. Water: Water is an essential factor for plant growth.

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What's the most important thing for a plant to grow? ›

All plants- whether they live underwater or in a dessert- need these 4 things in order to grow: light, water, nutrients, and air. One of the most important plant growth factors is light. It is not the warmth of the light but the energy in the light that the plants use in the process of photosynthesis.

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How does hardiness affect plants? ›

Hardiness. Plants are classified as hardy or nonhardy depending on their ability to withstand cold temperatures. Hardy plants are those that are adapted to the cold temperatures of their growing environment. Woody plants in the temperate zone have very sophisticated means for sensing the progression from fall to winter ...

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How are climate zones determined? ›

Climate zones are determined by the temperature, precipitation, and long-term weather patterns in an area. These factors are largely controlled by the latitude of the area, wind patterns, and geological features nearby. For example, many hot, dry deserts exist at 30 degrees latitude above or below the equator.

How are temperature zones determined? ›

These are tropical, dry, temperate, continental, polar and highland. Climate zones are classified based on the average temperature, amount of rainfall and type of climate they have. Latitude, elevation and the presence of nearby mountains or large water bodies help to determine the climate zone.

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What grow zone is Mississippi in? ›

Mississippi growing zones range from 7b to 9a.

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What is the difference between zone 7a and 7b? ›

Each USDA hardiness zone has 10 degrees of minimum average temperature difference and is divided into two sections, a and b. Zones 7a and 7b both have a medium-length growing season. Zone 7a's minimum average temperature is 0 to 5 degrees, and Zone 7b's minimum average temperature is 5 to 10 degrees.

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