Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, knowing what and when to plant is key. U.S. gardening zones help you select plants that thrive in your region.
Selecting plants suited to your area leads to healthier growth and less frustration. When you try to grow species outside their optimal zone, they may fail to adapt. This guide breaks down what gardening zones are and how they influence your choices.
- What Are Gardening Zones?
- USDA Hardiness Zones
- U.S. Planting Zones By Region
- Popular Plants To Grow In U.S. Regions
The Tempest Weather System provides accurate information about local weather patterns so that gardeners know when to do certain tasks like watering.
What Are Gardening Zones?
A gardening or planting zone helps gardeners identify which flowers, shrubs, and trees thrive in the weather of their region. These zones help gardeners identify which flowers, shrubs, and trees thrive in their climate. When you know your zone, you avoid planting species better suited for different regions.
The USDA assigns zones from 1 to 13. Zones below 7 suit cold-weather plants, while zones above 7 favor milder and warmer climates. These classifications also guide you on frost dates, which are crucial for outdoor planting schedules.
USDA Hardiness Zones
The USDA hardiness zone map is a tool for matching plant types to your location. On the planting zone map, zones range from 1 (coldest) to 13 (warmest), with subzones A and B based on 10°F increments.
Knowing your USDA garden zone helps you make informed planting decisions. But using a growing zone map is only one piece of the puzzle. Factors like wind, soil moisture, and pests can also impact plant health. Local garden centers and experts can provide advice tailored to your area.
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U.S. Planting Zones By Region
The USDA zone map groups the country into six regional zones across the contiguous U.S. and three non-contiguous areas. Each region presents its own weather patterns and challenges for gardeners.
Here is a breakdown of what climate conditions you may find in each region.
- North Central: Includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The zone range for this region is from 3a to 8a.
- Northeast: Includes Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The zone range for this region is 3b to 8b.
- Northwest: Includes Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The zone range for this region is 3a to 9b.
- South Central: Includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. The zone range for this region is 6b to 10a.
- Southeast: Includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The range for this region is 6a to 11b.
- Southwest: Includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The zone range for this region is 3b to 11a.
- Noncontiguous Regions: Includes Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The zone ranges for these regions vary from 1a to 5b in parts of Alaska to 11a to 13b in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Popular Plants To Grow In U.S. Regions
Novice and skilled gardeners will need to know which vegetation grows best in their regions based on climate conditions. Being knowledgeable of the climate conditions in each of the USDA plant hardiness zones for planting will help with planning a garden. Here are some popular plants to consider growing in each of the U.S. regions.
North Central
The North Central region of the US is typically colder, but may have a wide range of temperatures and may have substantial snowfall. Ideal plants for this region include:
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Flower |
Black-eyed Susans are perennials that bloom late season and attract pollinators. |
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Shrub |
Ninebark is deciduous and loves full shade to partial sun. It also tolerates several soil conditions. |
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Tree |
Sugar Maple can grow on average 60 feet, turns bright orange or yellow in fall, and thrives in the region. |
Northeast
The Northeast has cooler to mild temperatures and, like North Central, may experience heavy snowfall in some areas. The best plants for this region include:
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Flower |
Daylilies are perennials popular in New England states and have diverse color options. |
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Shrub |
Vibernums are popular for their dense growth and adaptability. |
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Tree |
Easter White Pine is an evergreen that grows pretty fast, up to 80 feet tall. |
Northwest
Cooler temperatures prevail in the Northwest region, but some parts of this region can experience plenty of rainfall. Ideal vegetation for this region includes:
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Flower |
Salvia is a drought-tolerant flower that loves full sun. |
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Shrub |
Oregon Grape is an evergreen with yellow flowers and fruit resembling blueberries. |
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Tree |
Big Leaf Maple is a deciduous tree with huge maple leaves, between 50 and 70 feet tall. |
South Central
South Central US hardiness regions experience very hot temperatures, which can vary from very dry to very muggy. The best plants for this region include:
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Flower |
Coneflowers are also known as echinacea and bloom in a shade of purple that attracts pollinators. |
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Shrub |
Abelia is a fragrant shrub that has bell-shaped flowers and tolerates high heat and humidity. |
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Tree |
Weeping Willows grow rapidly, provide plenty of shade, and prefer moist soil. |
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Southeast
The Southeast region has warmer temperatures, some of which can be tropical. Warmer weather increases the growing season. The best plants for this region include:
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Flower |
Hibiscus come in pink, white, and red varieties and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. |
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Shrub |
Hydrangeas come in various colors, depending on the acidity of the soil and the amount of morning sun and full afternoon shade. |
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Tree |
Southern Magnolia has huge, fragrant white flowers and is a popular choice in the South for its ability to thrive in various conditions. |
Southwest
The Southwest is very arid and sunny, and can range from very cool temperatures to extremely hot. It is also a region prone to drought. Here are some ideal options for this region.
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Flower |
Desert Marigolds are drought-tolerant yellow flowers that attract bees and butterflies. |
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Shrub |
Juniper is a shrub that has high drought tolerance and thrives in various soil types. |
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Tree |
Blue Palo Verde is a native tree known for its feathery foliage that thrives in the environment due to its drought tolerance. |
Non-Contiguous
Non-contiguous regions of the US, which include Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, have diverse temperatures. Alaska can be very cold and arid, while Hawaii and Puerto Rico may be very hot and tropical. Here are some great options to plant in these regions.
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Alaska |
Hawaii |
Puerto Rico |
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Flower |
Fireweed, a common flower in Alaska, can thrive well in cool summers. |
Hibiscus is a low-maintenance state flower that loves the sun. |
Desert Cassia is a native flower that can thrive in dry areas. |
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Shrub |
Sitka Elder is a native shrub that survives the harsh weather conditions in Alaska. |
Gardenias are an ideal landscaping hedge, popular for their fragrant white flowers. |
Sea Grape is a large shrub that is fruit-bearing |
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Tree |
Sitka Spruce is a significant source of lumber for its strength and durability. |
Acacia Koa is a native tree that produces durable wood for furniture and cabinets. |
Ausubo is a large evergreen that can live 400 years. |
Measure Local Gardening Weather Accurately With The Tempest Weather System
While gardening zones offer general guidance, local weather has a major impact on plant health. A personal weather system helps fill the gap.
The Tempest Weather System is an all-in-one weather station that sends real-time weather updates to your phone or smart home device. It tracks temperature, wind, rain, and other conditions so you can protect plants from frost or plan irrigation during dry spells.
Equip your garden with the Tempest Weather System and grow with confidence, whatever your growing zone!