Gardening Gardening Basics

State Maps of USDA Hardiness Zones for Planting

By
Vanessa Richins Myers
Vanessa Richins Myers
Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener.
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Updated on 07/05/24
Reviewed by
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Reviewed by Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The Spruce / Hilary Allison

Choosing the right flowers, shrubs, trees, and herbs to thrive in your yard or garden can be difficult. However, one of the best ways to ensure that plants are happy and healthy is to start with plants suited to your United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone or average temperature.

USDA plant hardiness zone maps are based on extreme minimum and typical high temperatures. However, it's important to note that they do not account for extreme maximum temperatures, like unexpected heat waves, so some plants may still struggle.

The USDA revised the map in 2023 to account for a warming shift. The 2023 map is about 2.5 degrees warmer across the continental United States than the former 2012 maps. The USDA has kept records for decades, publishing the first growing zone map in 1960.

Here's a list of 54 USDA hardiness growing zone maps for the United States and a selection of territories and districts. To read each map, click on the picture or header to see the full-size map. Look for the color-coded legend of zones, and match up the correct color and zone to where you live. Choose plants to grow based on the USDA zone.

Tip

When sowing seeds or purchasing plants from a nursery, refer to the care instructions about the hardiness zones. Some plants can survive low-temperature zones if brought indoors for the winter.

FAQ
  • Why are there so many USDA planting zones in Texas?

    Texas is such a large state that it spans multiple climates and changes in elevation, resulting in several USDA hardiness zones. Most states include more than one hardiness zone—usually 3 or 4. Alaska, our largest state, includes 8 zones, ranging from 1 through 8.

  • What do the USDA planting zone numbers mean?

    The numbers correspond to the average annual minimum winter temperature for each region, indicating which plant species can survive through winter.

  • If a plant does not thrive in my zone, can I still try to grow it?

    Yes, you can still grow plants that are not perennial to your USDA zone. Grow them with the intent to keep them as annuals, knowing they will die in winter. Some plants can also be moved indoors during winter and kept as houseplants until it is warm enough to move them outdoors again.

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  1. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. United States Department of Agriculture.