Find Planting Zones and Growing Zones for the U.S. and Canada
Plant hardiness zonesāalso known asĀ planting zones, growing zones, or gardening zonesāhelp gardeners understand which plants can surviveĀ their region’s climate. Learn all about the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map update and find out which planting zone you’re located in so that you canĀ grow yourĀ best garden yet! Did your planting zone change with the new map?
What Are Planting Zones?
When choosing perennial plants for your garden, it’s important to select varieties that can thrive year-round in your area, especially in regions where extreme winter temperatures are normal. Planting zones generally define which plantsĀ can survive winterĀ in your area, and zones are typically listed in plant growing guides for reference.
The two most commonly referenced hardiness zone maps are those produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRC). Different measures are used to create each country’s map, asĀ explained below.
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Zone maps are not absolute; if you find the information contradictory to your own experience, you may live in a microclimate.Ā Soil, moisture, humidity, heat, wind, and other conditions also affect the viability of individual plants.
Find Your USDA Planting ZoneĀ
Considered the standard measure of plant hardiness, the USDA 2023Ā Plant Hardiness Zone MapĀ is based onĀ average annual minimum winter temperatures. The map is divided into thirteen distinct 10ĀŗF zones, which are further divided into sub-zones of 5Ā°F.
Check the interactive official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map below, or visit the USDA website to find out exactly which zone you live in!
Note: The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was just updated in November of 2023, the first update since 2012. According to the USDA, the new 2023 map uses data from 13,412 weather stations compared to the 7,983 from the previous map. Compared to the 2012 map, the 2023 version shows that half of the country moved up to a warmer zone (including much of Alaska), while the other half stayed in the same zone.
The scientists are using 30 years of long-range data and more sophisticated computers for a more accurate map, especially in challenging areas such as mountain zones and Alaska, which may have been rated too cold or warm in prior iterations of the map. Learn more about the updated map here.
How to Use YourĀ Planting Zone
Planting zones are most helpful toĀ gardenersĀ growingĀ perennial plants since perennialsĀ are meant to live beyond just one growing season. Perennials need to be able to survive winter in your area, so it’s essential to knowĀ how cold it typically gets in your area and whether a particular plant is hardy enough to survive those temperatures.Ā
Perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees grow best when planted in theĀ appropriate zone. You’ll find that winter damage occurs most often when plants are out of their range or ācomfort zone.ā When you choose plants for a garden or landscape, avoid selecting plants that are only marginally hardy for your region; that’s when you’ll see winter damage, poor growth, and a reduction in flowering.
Planting native species is a surefire way to achieve a stable garden. See our article on natural landscaping.
For annual plants, like most vegetables and some flowers, it’s far more important to pay attention to things like the length of your growing season and the typical dates of your first and last frosts. (See local frost dates here.)Ā Because annuals are only meant to last the length of one growing season, planting zones don’t necessarily factor into the equation.
NRC CanadianĀ Planting Zones Map
Unlike the USDA map, which is based only on minimum winter temperatures, the planting zones map produced by Natural Resources Canada considers a wider range of climatic variables, including maximum temperatures and the length of the frost-free period. However, the NRC also produces a mapĀ that shows plant hardiness zones for Canada based on the USDA extreme minimum temperature approach. Click here to see both Canadian planting zone maps.
Check out a simplified version of the official Natural Resources CanadaĀ Plant Hardiness Zone Map below, then go to the Natural Resources Canada websiteĀ to find outĀ which zone you live in!
Click here to see the full Natural ResourcesĀ Canada Plant Hardiness Zones Map.
Learn More
Another key part of successful gardening is knowing when yourĀ frost dates are. Find your local frost dates here.
What are your thoughts on planting zones? Are they accurate? Let us know in the comments below!
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I am a first year gardener and I am having a hard time determining my zone. Reason being we get Temps as low as -16F but as high as 116F. I thought I was in 2 ...but...I can't find anything on that so. Trying to determine what kind of edible trees I can grow, but...anyone offer some help? Thanks!!
Hi Cari-
We can help! What is your zip code?
My zone Rocky Ford Colorado is listed as a 5b.. which is -15 below and it's not hadsn't been for many years.. I lost everything my first winter here at 35 below winter temps.. on average we get -25 below winter temps every year..we treat our backyard perrennials as zone 4 when planting.. I've had more success planting for a colder winter.. My whole espalier orchard is zone 3 and 4.. You need to rethink and recalculate growing zones .. most are no longer ACCURATE
Are the temperatures in each zone ambient or with wind chill factored in?
Good question! The temperatures do not take wind chill into account.
Hello everyone I have tried really hard scanning this page for what zone is where and I still don't see the way to do that --can somebody please help me how to do this?
Just Google type in your city and state and grow zones..
Mine I would be Rocky Ford Colorado grow zones.. comes 5b but it's colder we plant for zone 4 and below
Click on the image of the map aboveāor go here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
I was having the same issue, but that worked like a charm! Thank you
I'm looking for a planting guide for trees and bushes in zone 9 , Melbourne Florida. You have an extensive chart for herbs and vegetables but I can't find anything for trees and bushes.
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