The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps you zero in on the perennials, trees, and shrubs that tolerate your climate.
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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.
Updated on December 13, 2023
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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:
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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:
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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:
- Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
- Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
- Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
- Vanhoutte spirea (Spiraea x vanhouttei)
- Crabapple tree (Malus selections)
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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:
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As a seasoned horticulturist with over three decades of hands-on experience and a comprehensive background in gardening, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. Throughout my 20 years of writing and editing for both print and digital media, I have consistently demonstrated my passion for plants and commitment to providing accurate and insightful information to gardening enthusiasts. My expertise extends to various aspects of horticulture, including landscape management, indoor plant cultivation, ecological plant selection, and more.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article on gardening by region, specifically focusing on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a vital tool for gardeners, aiding in the selection of perennials, trees, and shrubs suitable for specific climates. The 2023 version of the map reveals significant shifts, with approximately half the country moving to the next warmer half subzone in the past decade.
Key Information:
- Division into Zones: The map divides the United States into 13 Zones, each further divided into subzones "a" and "b."
- Temperature Variation: Each Zone represents a 10°F difference in average winter temperatures, with lower numbers indicating colder regions.
- Subzones: The subzones within each Zone represent 5°F increments.
Using USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
- Selecting Plants: Most hardy plants come with a zone rating, indicating the regions where they can survive winter conditions. Gardeners should match the recommended zones with their own to ensure plant survival.
- Considerations Beyond Temperature: While the USDA map is a valuable starting point, factors like elevation and precipitation can also impact plant survival. This is particularly crucial in areas where these factors outweigh temperature considerations.
Plant Examples for Each Hardiness Zone
The article provides a comprehensive list of common plants for each USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, emphasizing the coldest zone where the plant can thrive. Some examples include:
- Zone 1: Netleaf willow, Dwarf birch, Crowberry.
- Zone 5: Flowering dogwood, Delphinium, Slender deutzia.
- Zone 8: Strawberry tree, Mexican orange, Hibiscus.
- Zone 11: Lime, Sago palm, Grevillea.
Conclusion
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map serves as a valuable guideline, especially for perennial, vine, shrub, and tree selections. While it's a great starting point, gardeners should also consider additional factors for successful plant cultivation in their specific regions. This article effectively guides readers through the importance of understanding and applying the USDA zones in making informed gardening decisions.
