State Maps of USDA Hardiness Zones for Planting

By
Vanessa Richins Myers
Vanessa Richins Myers
Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, writer, and educator with over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, with an emphasis in landscape design and urban horticulture. She volunteers as a community garden specialist.
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Updated on 01/05/22
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' experience; writing for over 20 years.
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USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The Spruce / Hilary Allison

Choosing the right plants that will thrive in your yard and garden can be difficult. But one of the best ways to ensure that plants are happy and healthy is to start with plants suited to the growing climate.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has kept temperature records for decades and published the first recommended growing zone map in 1960. The maps are based on extreme minimum temperatures to typical high temperatures. However, it's important to note they do not account for extreme maximum temperatures, so some plants may struggle.

These maps are an excellent guide for picking flowers, shrubs, trees, and herbs that will thrive without much maintenance. When purchasing plants from a nursery, refer to the identification and care tag for hardiness zones. Some plants can survive low-temperature zones if brought indoors to overwinter.

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. You can then choose plants suggested for that USDA zone.

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