Planting Zone Map: Find Your 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

Find gardening zones by zip code or explore state, regional, and national planting zone maps. Then, learn about recent national climatic shifts, the importance of planting zones, and how to interpret the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map.

Plus, understand the benefits of knowing your planting zone and the factors affecting it, like climate and microclimate. This helps gardeners easily adapt to their zones and clarifies the different types of zones and their relationships.

Scroll down to enjoy our gallery of beautiful plants for your zone to help you select plants! Now, let’s find your zone.

What Plant Zone Am I In?

Find your planting zone by entering your zip code below, then click “Find My Zone!” Your zone will be displayed in the field below the green button.

What Are the Planting Zones by State?

The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones for each U.S. state and territory are listed below with precise Fahrenheit and Celcius temperatures. The updated planting zone map reflects the average annual extreme minimum temperatures from 1991 to 2020. Note: States and territories have multiple hardiness zones; therefore, we use temperature ranges for each.

STATE	ZONES	AVG TEMP RANGE
Alabama (AL)	7b to 9b	(5°F to 30°F) or (-15°C to -1.1°C)
Alaska (AK)	1a to 8b	(-60°F to 20°F) or (-51.1°C to -6.7°C)
Arizona (AZ)	5b to 10a	(-15°F to 35°F) or (-26.1°C to 1.7°C)
Arkansas (AR)	7a to 8b	(0°F to 20°F) or (-17.8°C to -6.7°C)
California – North (CA)	5a to 10a	(-20°F to 35°F) or (-28.9°C to 1.7°C)
California – South (CA)	5a to 11a	(-20°F to 45°F) or (-28.9°C to 7.2°C)
Colorado (CO)	3b to 7b	(-35°F to 10°F) or (-37.2°C to -12.2°C)
Connecticut (CT)	6a to 7b	(-10°F to 10°F) or (-23.3°C to -12.2°C)
Delaware (DE)	6a to 7b	(0°F to 15°F) or (-17.8°C to -9.4°C)
District of Columbia (DC)	5b to 8a	(-15°F to 15°F) or (-26.1°C to -9.4°C)
Florida (FL)	8b to 11b	(15°F to 50°F) or (-9.4°C to 10°C)
Georgia (GA)	7a to 9b	(0°F to 30°F) or (-17.8°C to -1.1°C)
Hawaii (HI)	8b to 13a	(15°F to 65°F) or (-9.4°C to 18.3°C)
Idaho (ID)	3b to 7b	(-35°F to 10°F) or (-37.2°C to -12.2°C)
Illinois (IL)	5a to 7b	(-20°F to 10°F) or (-28.9°C to -12.2°C)
Indiana (IN)	5b to 7a	(-15°F to 5°F) or (-26.1°C to -15°C)
Iowa (IA)	4b to 6a	(-25°F to -5°F) or (-31.7°C to -20.6°C)
Kansas (KS)	5b to 7a	(-15°F to 5°F) or (-26.1°C to -15°C)
Kentucky (KY)	6b to 7b	(-5°F to 10°F) or (-20.6°C to -12.2°C)
Louisiana (LA)	8b to 10b	(15°F to 40°F) or (-9.4°C to 4.4°C)
Maine (ME)	3b to 7a	(-35°F to 5°F) or (-37.2°C to -15°C)
Maryland (MD)	5b to 8a	(-15°F to 15°F) or (-26.1°C to -9.4°C)
Massachusetts (MA)	5a to 7b	(-20°F to 10°F) or (-15°C to -12.2°C)
Michigan (MI)	4a to 6b	(-30°F to 0°F) or (-34.4°C to -17.8°C)
Minnesota (MN)	3a to 5a	(-40°F to -15°F) or (-40°C to -26.1°C)
Mississippi (MS)	7b to 9b	(5°F to 30°F) or (-15°C to -1.1°C)
Missouri (MO)	5b to 8a	(-15°F to 15°F) or (-26.1°C to -9.4°C)
Montana (MT)	3a to 6b	(-40°F to 0°F) or (-40°C to -17.8°C)
Nebraska (NE)	4b to 6a	(-25°F to -5°F) or (-31.7°C to -20.6°C)
Nevada (NV)	4a to 10a	(-30°F to 35°F) or (-34.4°C to 1.7°C)
New Hampshire (NH)	3b to 6b	(-35°F to 0°F) or (-37.2°C to -17.8°C)
New Jersey (NJ)	6b to 8a	(-5°F to 15°F) or (-20.6°C to -9.4°C)
New Mexico (NM)	5a to 8b	(-20°F to 20°F) or (-28.9°C to -6.7°C)
New York (NY)	4a to 7b	(-30°F to 10°F) or (-34.4°C to -12.2°C)
North Carolina (NC)	6a to 9a	(-10°F to 25°F) or (-23.3°C to -3.9°C)
North Dakota (ND)	3b to 4b	(-35°F to -20°F) or (-37.2°C to -28.9°C)
Ohio (OH)	5b to 7a	(-15°F to 5°F) or (-26.1°C to -15°C)
Oklahoma (OK)	6b to 8a	(-5°F to 15°F) or (-20.6°C to -9.4°C)
Oregon (OR)	5a to 10a	(-20°F to 35°F) or (-28.9°C to 1.7°C)
Pennsylvania (PA)	5b to 8a	(-15°F to 15°F) or (-26.1°C to -9.4°C)
Puerto Rico (PR)	11b to 13b	(45°F to 70°F) or (7.2°C to 21.1°C)
Rhode Island (RI)	6a to 7b	(-10°F to 10°F) or (-23.3°C to -12.2°C)
South Carolina (SC)	7b to 9b	(5°F to 30°F) or (-15°C to -1.1°C)
South Dakota (SD)	4a to 5b	(-30°F to -10°F) or (-15°C to -23.3°C)
Tennessee (TN)	6a to 8a	(-10°F to 15°F) or (-23.3°C to -9.4°C)
Texas – East (TX)	7b to 10b	(5°F to 40°F) or (-15°C to 4.4°C)
Texas – West (TX)	6b to 9b	(-5°F to 30°F) or (-20.6°C to -1.1°C)
Utah (UT)	4a to 9a	(-30°F to 25°F) or (-34.4°C to -3.9°C)
Vermont (VT)	4a to 6a	(-30°F to -5°F) or (-34.4°C to -20.6°C)
Virginia (VA)	5b to 8b	(-15°F to 20°F) or (-26.1°C to -6.7°C)
Washington (WA)	4a to 9b	(-30°F to 30°F) or (-34.4°C to -1.1°C)
West Virginia (WV)	5b to 7a	(-15°F to 5°F) or (-26.1°C to -15°C)
Wisconsin (WI)	3b to 6a	(-35°F to -5°F) or (-37.2°C to -20.6°C)
Wyoming (WY)	3b to 6a	(-35°F to -5°F) or (-37.2°C to -20.6°C)

Please note that these gardening zones represent each state’s average minimum winter temperatures. Remember, microclimates (subzones or half zones) and local variations can also affect plant growth in a given area.

State Planting Zone Maps

Use tabs to locate state and territory planting zone maps. CLICK MAPS TO EXPAND!

National Planting Zones -The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The national 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map is available in two versions: full and half zones. View the 13 U.S. zones below or visit USDA.gov for their interactive map.

What Do I Plant in My Zone?

Here is a complete list of zones with examples of plants to grow. Use our site to explore more beautiful plants for your zone. Many popular varieties require little maintenance and offer an abundance of blooms!

Use tabs to view plants in your growing zone!

What Are the Planting Zones by Region?

The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones by region are listed below with precise temperature ranges in Fahrenheit and Celcius. The updated regional planting zone maps also reflect the average annual extreme minimum temperatures from 1991 to 2020. Regions have multiple zones.

U.S. REGION	ZONES	AVG TEMP RANGE
North Central	3a to 8a	(-40°F to 15°F) or (-40°C to -9.4°C)
Northeast	3b to 8b	(-35°F to 20°F) or (-37.2°C to -6.7°C)
Northwest	3a to 9b	(-40°F to 30°F) or (-40°C to -1.1°C)
South Central	6b to 10a	(-5°F to 35°F) or (-20.6°C to 1.7°C)
Southeast	6a to 11b	(-10°F to 50°F) or (-23.3°C to 10°C)
Southwest	3b to 11a	(-35°F to 45°F) or (-37.2°C to 7.2°C)

Regional Planting Zone Maps

Click the regional planting zone maps to expand.

How Did the Plant Hardiness Zones Change in 2023?

Plant hardiness zones changed, as confirmed by the latest data from 2023, indicating a warming trend in numerous regions across the United States. The U.S. average minimum winter temperatures have increased by 2.5°F since 2012. More specifically, the central states increased by a half-zone, which means their plant hardiness zones increased in temperature by an average of 5°F since 2012.

Click to expand the map for 2023 half-zone changes. Is your location part of this warming trend?

What Is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map?

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map shows geographical zones of the U.S. categorized by their average annual minimum temperatures. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University collaborated to produce the map by recording the winter climate data from 13,625 stations.

How are plant hardiness zones categorized?

The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the country into 13 full zones and 26 half-zones. Each full zone, 1-13, represents a specific minimum temperature range. Full zones increment by 10°F. Within each full zone are two half-zones, designated by an “a” or “b.” Half-zones increment by 5°F.

Planting hardiness zones help gardeners and farmers determine suitable plant varieties for their specific region. Gardeners primarily refer to this planting zone map to help them decide which perennial plants can survive through local winter conditions and return year after year.

How often are plant hardiness zones updated?

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones map is updated approximately every 10 years. The most recent update was in 2023 from its previous version, dated 2012.

How Do I Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map?

Use the legend of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which color-codes geographic areas to represent different temperature ranges in Fahrenheit and Celcius. By matching your location with the corresponding zone on the map, you determine which plants are appropriate for your climate.

For example, if you live in Zone 7a, you’ll know that plants rated for Zone 7a are likely to do well in your area as they tolerate your average winter temperatures.

It’s important to note that plant hardiness zones are just one factor when selecting plants for your garden. Here are the top tips and reasons for knowing your planting zone.

• Understanding the Map: It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the legend/key provided with the planting zone map to interpret the different zone designations and understand the temperature ranges associated with each zone.
• Choosing the Right Plants: Once you know your planting zone, choose perennial plants that are known to thrive in that particular zone. This alignment increases the likelihood of plants surviving and flourishing in your garden. Native plants are ideal for low maintenance.
• Caring for Plants: Understanding your planting zone enables you to provide the optimal care for your plants. You’ll adjust watering schedules, fertilization plans, and gardening techniques. It also helps gardeners determine appropriate planting and harvesting times based on the specific needs of their zone.

Why Are Planting Zones or Gardening Zones Important?

Planting zones, or gardening zones, are essential because plants have different temperature tolerance levels and plant care according to region. Gardeners refer to their planting zone to prevent wasting time, money, and effort on growing plants unsuited for their local climate.

What Are the Benefits of Knowing Your Gardening Zone?

Gardeners and farmers who know their gardening zone have better plant health and production outcomes. It allows you to make informed choices for your garden or farm, increases your gardening success rate, and lessens concerns about frost or extreme weather conditions harming plants or crops.

What Factors Affect Plant Hardiness Zones?

Several factors influence plant hardiness zones, including altitude, latitude, proximity to large bodies of water, prevailing winds, climate, and microclimates. These factors collectively contribute to the temperature variations and extreme weather conditions within a specific region.

How does climate affect gardening in a planting zone?

The climate of an area refers to the long-term weather patterns, including temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind conditions. Plants have specific growth requirements, and climate is crucial in determining whether they are ideal for a planting zone.

While planting zones give a general idea of the climate in a region, it’s important to note that microclimates exist within a larger zone.

How does a microclimate affect gardening in a planting zone?

Slight variations in temperature, sunlight exposure, and wind flow create microclimates that differ from the overall zone classification.

For example, a sheltered corner of your garden might experience milder winters than the rest of your zone, allowing you to grow plants that are typically not the best choice for your area. On the other hand, an exposed rooftop garden in an urban area may have different heat absorption patterns and higher temperatures compared to the surrounding zone.

Identifying and taking advantage of microclimates in your garden expands the range of plants you grow successfully.

How do gardeners adapt to the changing climate of a planting zone?

While planting zones and microclimates provide valuable information, it’s important to remember that gardening is a dynamic process. Climate change and natural variations in weather patterns affect the plant species that grow in a region over time.

Since planting zones have changed with the rise in temperatures over the last decade, it has undoubtedly broadened the list of plant species we can grow and extended our growing season.

As a gardener, it’s smart to stay informed about climate trends and adapt your practices. Adapting might involve selecting more heat-tolerant plants if your area has had hotter summers or adjusting watering and irrigation schedules to cope with changing rainfall patterns.

Understanding your climate and being flexible in your gardening approach makes it easy to create healthy, beautiful gardens and experience growing new varieties that weren’t possible before.

How Are Plant Hardiness, Heat, Climate, and Gardening Zones Different?

When planning and growing a successful garden or farm, understanding the different types of zones is necessary.

Plant hardiness zones are a classification system that categorizes regions based on their average annual low temps. They help gardeners determine a plant’s cold tolerance.

Heat zones are a classification system that categorizes regions based on their average annual high temps. They help gardeners determine a plant’s heat tolerance.

Climate zones are specific geographical regions with similar weather patterns and conditions. Climate zones help understand the overall weather patterns, including average temperatures and rainfall. Gardeners use this to determine a plant’s local viability.

Gardening zones focus on the specific gardening or landscaping practices and techniques appropriate for each region. Gardening zones provide guidelines on when and how to plant and care for particular crops, considering soil conditions and seasonal variations.

What’s the relationship between climate, gardening, and planting zones?

The relationship between climate, gardening, and planting zones is interconnected and interdependent.

Climate zones set the foundation for understanding the broader weather conditions and determining appropriate planting and care techniques for gardening zones.

Gardening zones consider factors like soil formation and type, moisture levels, and amount of sunlight to provide tailored recommendations for each region. In gardening, this helps classify plants as drought-tolerant, needing well-draining soil, or needing full/partial sun, etc.

The USDA planting zones then add a refined layer, meticulously categorizing areas based on temperature extremes. This precision enables gardeners to select plants resilient to specific temperature conditions, creating a harmonious synergy where each botanical choice flourishes within the distinct climate of its designated zone.

Is a Planting Zone the Same as a Hardiness Zone?

A “planting zone” or “hardiness zone” refers to the same thing. Both mean the optimal planting zones for different plant species.

“Planting zone” is often used interchangeably with “hardiness zone,” “gardening zone,” “growing zone,” and “climate zone.” Scientifically, some of these gardening terms have significant differences, and their definitions clarify their meaning. Our article “Gardening Glossary: 650 Terms for Beginners” simplifies gardening with concise definitions for gardeners.

How Do Gardeners Utilize Planting Zones for Plant Selection?

Once you know your planting zone, explore various resources. Plenty of seed catalogs and websites list planting zones for every plant variety and even suggest plants perfect for your zone. If your zone recently changed, try growing something new!

For example, if you live in a cold region with harsh winters, selecting hardy plants in lower temperature zones increases your chances of establishing a gorgeous garden.

Here are tips and recommendations for choosing plants based on zones.

• Check the planting zone map: Know your zone. Find your zone easily by entering your zip code into the widget above.
• Research specific plant requirements: Before making any plant selections, we recommend researching the specific requirements of the plants you are interested in. Consider factors such as sunlight, water, and soil.
• Consult local gardening resources: Community gardening clubs or your local extension office have valuable insights and expertise about native plants. They know your garden type’s best annuals, perennials, and biennials.
• Consider microclimates: Remember that microclimates within your garden affect plant growth. Factors such as wind patterns, shade, and sun exposure create variations in temperature and growing conditions.
• Choose winter-hardy perennial plants: Perennial plants brighten your landscape for years and often require less maintenance.
• Choose native plants: Native plants are vigorous! They, too, are simple to grow and effortless to maintain.
• Experiment and learn: Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your gardening journey. Over time, your gardening skills will develop!

What planting strategies maximize success in each zone?

Maximizing success in each planting zone involves understanding your specific zone’s unique challenges and opportunities. For example, starting seeds indoors or using season extenders like hoop houses in colder zones help protect delicate plants from frost. On the other hand, in hotter zones, using shade cloths or strategically planning watering schedules ensures optimal growth.

Here are a few planting strategies that are tremendously helpful to gardeners.

• Plan your garden: Use planting calculators for garden planning to save resources, be efficient, and time your plantings correctly.
• Provide adequate protection: Use mulching, row covers, or other protective measures to shield tender plants from the cold and frost.
• Extend the growing season: Utilize season extension techniques such as cold frames, tunnels, or greenhouses to prolong the growing season and protect plants from extreme weather conditions.

Planting Zone Summary

Planting zone maps provide a valuable framework, especially for beginner gardeners. Knowing your plant zone by zip code, state, or region and being aware of the national warming trend that has shifted plant zones gives us leverage for gardening success.

Understanding benefits like better plant growth and sustainable agriculture, along with ever-changing factors such as climate and macroclimates, allows us to adapt our plant selection confidently.

So, to all the gardeners and farmers, we encourage you to embrace planting zones in your planning and decision-making processes. Before planting a bulb, flower, tree, or shrub in your landscape, rely on your plant zone to determine each plant’s viability in your garden design.