What Plant Hardiness Zone Am I In? – USDA Zone Map Tool 2025

If you’re wondering “What plant hardiness zone am I in?”, our tool provides instant answers for any location across all 50 United States, from the tropical climates of Hawaii and southern Florida to the cold regions of Alaska and Maine.

Whether you’re gardening in the desert landscapes of Arizona, the rainy Pacific Northwest, the humid Southeast, or anywhere in between, simply enter your address or click on the map to discover your exact USDA hardiness zone. This tool covers every state, county, and city in the USA, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone system is officially maintained for the United States and its territories, it is the most widely referenced system for American gardeners and growers. For locations outside the United States, you’ll need to consult your local agricultural authorities for comparable growing zone information.

Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Click anywhere on the map or search an address to see the hardiness zone

How to Use This Tool

Our interactive Plant Hardiness Zone Map tool helps you quickly determine your USDA hardiness zone:

Enter your address in the search bar, or click directly on the map
The tool will display your hardiness zone number and highlight your zone region
Toggle between street and satellite views to better identify your location
Click anywhere to explore zones in different areas

Understanding Plant Hardiness Zones

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a specific location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones.

How Zones Are Calculated

Each hardiness zone represents a 10°F range, with each zone further divided into 5°F half-zones labeled ‘a’ and ‘b’:

‘a’ represents the colder half of the zone (-5°F to 0°F within the range)
‘b’ represents the warmer half (0°F to 5°F within the range)

The current USDA map uses temperature data from 1991-2020, providing the most accurate picture of your area’s typical winter extremes.

Zone Descriptions and Growing Guide

Zone 3 (-40°F to -30°F)

Typical regions: Northern Minnesota, Western North Dakota
Growing season: 120-150 days
Best plants: Extremely cold-hardy perennials, native prairie plants
Growing tips: Use mulch for winter protection, focus on spring/summer vegetables

Zone 4 (-30°F to -20°F)

Typical regions: Northern New England, Southern Alaska
Growing season: 130-160 days
Best plants: Cold-hardy fruit trees (apples, plums), hardy perennials
Growing tips: Consider using cold frames, protect plants from winter winds

Zone 5 (-20°F to -10°F)

Typical regions: Southern Maine, Northern Illinois
Growing season: 150-175 days
Best plants: Most fruit trees, hardy roses, many perennials
Growing tips: Use season extenders for vegetables, mulch perennials heavily

Zone 6 (-10°F to 0°F)

Typical regions: Southern New York, Northern Ohio
Growing season: 165-185 days
Best plants: Most perennials, fruit trees, grape vines
Growing tips: Plant tender perennials in protected areas, consider microclimates

Zone 7 (0°F to 10°F)

Typical regions: Northern Virginia, Southern New Jersey
Growing season: 180-200 days
Best plants: Most plants except tropical varieties
Growing tips: Use winter protection for marginally hardy plants

Zone 8 (10°F to 20°F)

Typical regions: Central Georgia, Central Texas
Growing season: 200-220 days
Best plants: Wide variety including some subtropical species
Growing tips: Consider humidity and summer heat when selecting plants

Zone 9 (20°F to 30°F)

Typical regions: Southern Texas, Central Florida
Growing season: 240-270 days
Best plants: Citrus trees, subtropical perennials
Growing tips: Focus on heat tolerance, provide afternoon shade

Zone 10 (30°F to 40°F)

Typical regions: Southern Florida, Coastal California
Growing season: 270-300 days
Best plants: Tropical and subtropical varieties
Growing tips: Watch for occasional frost, protect sensitive plants

Zone 11-13 (40°F and above)

Typical regions: Hawaii, Puerto Rico
Growing season: Year-round
Best plants: Tropical plants, palms, orchids
Growing tips: Focus on proper drainage and humidity

Important Considerations Beyond Zones

While hardiness zones are crucial, other factors affect plant survival:

Microclimate Factors

Soil Conditions
- Drainage
- pH levels
- Soil type and quality
- Organic matter content
Environmental Conditions
- Sun exposure
- Wind protection
- Humidity levels
- Rainfall patterns
Local Features
- Urban heat islands
- Proximity to buildings
- Elevation changes
- Water bodies

Seasonal Care Tips

Winter Protection

Mulch perennials after ground freezes
Wrap sensitive shrubs
Reduce watering but don’t let roots dry completely
Remove snow loads from evergreens

Spring Preparation

Remove winter protection gradually
Check for frost heave
Prune dead branches
Test soil and amend as needed

Summer Care

Monitor water needs carefully
Mulch to retain moisture
Provide shade for sensitive plants
Watch for heat stress

Fall Preparation

Gradually reduce watering
Clean up plant debris
Apply winter mulch
Protect young plants

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Microclimates: Your yard may contain several different growing environments
Pushing Zone Limits: Just because a plant can survive doesn’t mean it will thrive
Forgetting About Summer: Consider both cold and heat tolerance
Neglecting Soil Preparation: Good soil is as important as temperature
Improper Plant Timing: Plant at the right time for your zone

Using This Information

Use the zone map as a starting point for plant selection
Consider all environmental factors in your garden
Keep records of what works in your specific location
Join local gardening groups for region-specific advice
Experiment within reason, but stay close to your zone’s recommendations

Remember that hardiness zones are guidelines rather than strict rules. Local conditions, microclimates, and proper plant care can allow you to successfully grow plants that are marginally hardy in your zone.

Interactive Plant hardiness maps for each state

Daniel ODonohue

About the Author

I'm Daniel O'Donohue, the voice and creator behind The MapScaping Podcast ( A podcast for the geospatial community ). With a professional background as a geospatial specialist, I've spent years harnessing the power of spatial to unravel the complexities of our world, one layer at a time.

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