Click a zone to see its plants
-40°F to -30°F
Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, high-elevation Rocky Mountain areas.
Short growing seasons demand tough, cold-hardy plants. Focus on native perennials and shrubs proven to handle brutal winters without coddling.
-30°F to -20°F
Upper Midwest, parts of New England, northern Great Plains, high Appalachians.
A demanding but rewarding zone. Most labeled cold-hardy perennials perform well here. Woody plants need confirmed zone 4 ratings, not just zone 5.
-20°F to -10°F
Southern New England, central Midwest, parts of the mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest.
One of the most popular gardening zones in the country. The perennial palette is wide and most shrubs handle winter without trouble.
-10°F to 0°F
Mid-Atlantic, Midwest heartland, Pacific Northwest interior, higher elevations of the South.
The sweet spot for gardening. Long season, cold winters that satisfy chill requirements, and access to an enormous plant palette.
0°F to 10°F
Southeast, coastal Pacific Northwest, southern mid-Atlantic, parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
Mild winters expand the palette significantly. Many plants marginal in zone 6 thrive here reliably. Summer heat is a bigger challenge than cold.
10°F to 20°F
Deep South, coastal Pacific Northwest, central Texas, parts of Arizona and New Mexico.
Long, hot summers and mild winters. Heat tolerance matters as much as cold hardiness. Broadleaf evergreens and many Mediterranean plants are at home here.
20°F to 30°F
Coastal California, southern Texas, central Florida, parts of the Gulf Coast.
Near frost-free winters open up subtropical options. Year-round bloom cycles are possible. Summer heat and drought tolerance become the key selection criteria.
30°F to 40°F
Southern Florida, coastal Southern California, lower elevations of Hawaii.
Essentially frost-free. True tropicals thrive. The growing season never stops, though many temperate plants need cold cycles they will not get here.
40°F to 50°F
Hawaii, the Florida Keys, warmest parts of Puerto Rico.
Fully tropical and frost-free year round. The most tender and exotic plants are completely at home. Temperate perennials rarely succeed.