It’s not the warmest zone, but USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9 is pretty warm. It offers lovely mild winters and an extended growing season. It includes areas in Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and smaller parts of Georgia, Alabama, and New Mexico.

If you are not sure of what zone your region is in, it’s useful to look at a USDA planting zone map. Find your state and figure out the zone. Those gardening in Zone 9 will have a large range of plants to choose among, including trees, shrubs, annuals and perennial flowers.

Let's dig in and find the best plants for your Zone 9 garden!

Hello Zone 9

If you live in Zone 9, many of your gardening friends will call you lucky. The average low winter temperatures range from 20 - 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.6 - -1 C). and the growing season runs long. In spring, the last frost date is generally February, while the first winter frost isn’t expected until after Thanksgiving. Summers are hot and long, and trees and shrubs grow rapidly.

What grows well in Zone 9? It’s easier to list the things that don’t. Almost every garden vegetable will grow in Zone 9, as well as a wide variety of trees, from silver maple to magnolia, and shrubs like crape myrtle and hydrangea.

Best Plants for Zone 9 Gardens

If you’re a typical gardener, you want landscape plants in addition to your veggie garden. That might include trees, shrubs, and both annual and perennial flowers. Here’s our shortlist of the best plants for Zone 9 gardens.

Best Trees for Zone 9

• American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis): The American Sycamore, also called American plane tree, was born for a warm zone. This large deciduous tree is both drought tolerant and heat tolerant. It grows rapidly and can top at 75 feet (25m) tall. The canopy is as wide as the tree is tall. It is irregular, with large, green, star-shaped leaves. I love plane trees. The bark is gray and peeling, exposing the ivory inner bark beneath. The fruit balls are appealing, packed with seeds. American sycamore trees can be found at Fast Growing Trees.
• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): Southern magnolia is the iconic broadleaf evergreen of the South, a large and beautiful tree with gorgeous shiny dark green leaves and wildly fragrant flowers. These magnolias can get to 80 feet (26m) tall and half that wide. Even the trunks are large, with a diameter of 3 feet (1m). These trees need lots of elbow room, and their lowest branches reach the ground. Nothing is more beautiful than the giant white flowers in summer - and ah that scent! The woody fruits have bright red seeds. 'Edith Bogue' magnolia trees can be purchased from Nature Hills Nursery. Their giant, fragrant flowers will make all your neighbors jealous.
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): This native tree is quite common across the Midwest, and it’s a classic shade tree that rows fast, has graceful leaves and produces “helicopters,” those samaras that hold maple seeds. Silver maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, and prefers a full sun location. Like most maples, silver maple needs quite a lot of water to thrive, so select a spot with moist soil and don’t hesitate to water regularly. Find a silver maple at Fast Growing Trees.

Best Shrubs for Zone 9

• Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): You can find crape myrtle trees and crape myrtle bushes – essentially differentiated by the size. There are many attractive varieties of these shrubs with multiple stems laden with showy red, white, pink or purple blossoms. The shrubs bloom in summer, turning from bare branches into bright, ornamental floral displays that attract birds and other pollinators. Crape myrtle is perfect, small flowering tree for zone 9 and works well for shrub borders, specimen plants, and container plants. Any placement helps you create beautiful garden landscapes. Delight in the clusters of spike-shaped flowers from early summer until fall. 'Pocomoke' crape myrtle shrubs, available from Fast Growing Trees, have bright pink blooms from summer until fall.
• Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla): Hydrangeas are the envy of every garden. Workhorse shrubs, their prolific flowers are big and bright, adding charm to any landscape. But bigleaf hydrangea, also called mophead, are also extremely easy to grow and also easy to maintain. And you can find many different varieties to choose between, including my favorite. ‘All Summer Beauty’. This cultivar stays at 3-6 feet (1-2m) tall and wide and is covered with showy “globe” blooms. You’ll want to be sure to water your hydrangea a couple of times a week. All Summer Beauty’ will grow to 3-5 feet tall and wide. The shrubs require at least 4 hours a day of sun. You can find 'All Summer Beauty' hydrangeas from Wayside Gardens Nursery.
• Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica): No, heavenly bamboo is not a bamboo at all. It’s an ornamental evergreen shrub with cane-like stems and beautiful foliage that looks like bamboo. This is a striking, low-maintenance shrub that grows 2 feet (.5m) a year until it reaches 7 feet (2.5m) tall and 5 feet (1.5m) in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. This is such an easy plant to grow that it is considered invasive in a few states. Be sure to check before you plant and trim regularly to keep them from taking over. The berries are lovely, but don’t eat them. They are toxic to humans and pets and grow best in full sun. 'Obsession' nandina shrubs can be purchased from Fast Growing Trees and will make a great addition to your landscape.

Best Annual Flowers for Zone 9

• Zinnias (Zinnia elegans): In my opinion, the best annuals grow fast, bloom in bold colors and are magnets for pollinators. Zinnias fit the bill. In addition, these vibrant blooms are tough and drought-tolerant, with pink, purple, yellow, orange, white, and red blooms. They do best in full sunlight and well-draining soil. Find a California Giants mix of zinnia seeds from the Sweet Yards Store on Amazon.
• Verbena (Verbena x hybrida): With dark green toothed leaves with toothed edges and small colorful flowers in white, red, purple, pink, and lavender, verbena are lovely bedding flowers. The plants thrive in a full sun location and well-drained soil. They are also great for hanging baskets and containers. , making them ideal for gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. Park Seed has a wonderful selection of verbena seeds and plants in all shades of the rainbow.
• African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta): You may be more familiar with popular French marigolds, but the African marigold variety (also called Mexican marigolds) are taller - at three to four feet (1-1.5m) This species is a true annual and lasts one season only, producing green stems topped by large round flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and cream. The foliage is fern-like. African marigolds need sun and well-drained soil to keep those blossoms coming. But they are easy to seed and easy to grow, making them grand flowers to help kids plant. Deadhead the plants regularly all season long. African marigold seeds can be purchased from True Leaf Market Seed Company.

Best Perennial Flowers for Zone 9

• Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea): Coneflowers are easy Zone 9 perennials that grow stems to 5 feet (1.5m) tall topped with purple coneflowers - daisy-like purple rays ringing a brown cone. These tall, bright flowers thrive in USDA zone 9 in a site getting six or more hours of sun daily. The soil must drain well. Purple coneflower seeds from Seed Needs can be found on Amazon.
• Russian sage (Salvia yangii): Russian sage is a perennial that offers lacy silver-gray foliage and eye-catching lavender blooms. It needs full sun and well-drained soil. Bright and elegant, these tall plants, with stems to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, are aromatic and charming. Find Russian sage plants from Park Seed and get ready to be wowed by its fragrance and showy nature.
• Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.): Have you ever dreamed about a perennial that is hardy, beautiful and practically bulletproof? Meet the daylily, an effortless Zone 9 bulb that blooms and just keeps on blooming from spring to frost. Of course, they have to, since each lily-like daylily blossom lives one day only. They thrive in sunny sites in any type of soil. 'Stella D'oro' daylilies, available from Home Depot, are bright yellow bloomers that stay small and don't spread.

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Anyone who loves mild winters and warm-to-hot seasons will be happy in USDA hardiness Zone 8. You can grow a wild variety of vegetables, perennials and annuals in this pleasant climate as long as you know when to get them started.

If you aren’t sure which Zone 8 plants should be planted when, this Zone 8 planting guide should help. This is a great USDA planting zone for a gardener since you only have two months - December and January) in which to twiddle your thumbs (or clean up the garden!) You can start seeds indoors as early as February and harvest as late as November.

Here’s your planting calendar for Zone 8 to help keep your garden tasks on track.

Zone 8 Characteristics

Every hardiness zone has its fans, but it’s easy to believe that Zone 8 isn’t one of the best for gardening. The growing season is quite long, long enough that you don’t have to worry about your crops maturing between the last spring frost date of April 1 and the first autumn frost date of December 1. While the exact dates vary a bit year to year, that is unquestionably a long growing season. But you should check for the exact dates before planting since they can vary each year by up to two weeks.

How cold is cold in USDA Zone 8? The average lowest winter temperatures range from 10 degrees F to 20 degrees F. Summers are warm to hot. Lots of trees, shrubs and vegetables grow happily in this zone. Here’s when to plant them.

Shop Seed Starting Tools

January

January is a no-gardening month. That gives you the time to recover from the holidays and relax before starting to plant in February.

February

Let’s get started planting! In Zone 8, February is the month to start many vegetables. This is also a good time to do some tool maintenance before the growing season begins in earnest. Sharpen your pruners with the Corona sharpener, set up your seed starting kit with a Vivosun heat mat and Barrina grow lights, all available from Amazon.

March

There might still be frost in March, so many seeds are sown inside. Seed starting in Zone 8 is best done indoors about 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. But be sure to follow the guidelines on the back of your seed packets for the most accurate information.

April

Generally, the last frost of the spring occurs by April 1, but you’ll want to check each year.

May

It’s spring, and no more frost will cause problems for the garden.

June

No more starting seeds indoors. It’s lovely outside so get out in the garden!

July

Zone 8 can have hot summers, so don’t neglect irrigation for your young plants.

August

Another hot month. This is Zone 8 summer at its finest.

September

School starts and the leaves start turning fiery shades. Cool season vegetables should be started so you have nice harvests through fall.

October

Leaves fall and squash ripens. Harvest regularly and begin to get your garden ready for the winter. Planting fall bulbs will ensure beauty next spring.

November

You can still harvest vegetables this month but there is no extra planting this month. Prepare your garden for winter. Now is also a good time to clean up and sharpen any tools that have gotten a workout through the growing season.

December

There is neither planting inside, planting outside nor harvesting this month. Enjoy the holiday season and use some of your bounty to make a cozy winter simmer pot to fill your home with wonderful fragrance.

Perennials are plants that return each year after a period of winter dormancy. Unlike annuals, they come back each growing season. It’s important to know your USDA growing zone before choosing perennials.

Those that aren’t hardy in your zone will die and grow only as annuals in summer. Fortunately, when it comes to perennial flowers, zone 6 gives you a lot of options.

USDA zone 6 is defined by its average annual extreme minimum winter temperatures, which range between -10 and 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-23.3 and -17.8 Celsius). Zone 6 perennials are hardy in these areas where the temperature can potentially get so low. They’ll go dormant for winter and return in spring to grow and bloom again.

Like other zones, 6 does not fit a neat area defined by state boundaries. It includes:

• Areas of southern New England
• Large areas of northern Pennsylvania and West Virginia
• Most of southern Michigan, central Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas
• Patchy areas of Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, the Pacific Northwest, and southern Alaska

Zone 6 is known for its distinct four seasons, cold winters, and hot summers. The frost-free period is usually between mid-May and mid-October. The changing seasons and transition from cool spring to hot summer and cool fall allow gardeners to grow a variety of plants.

Zone 6 Perennials

Perennial plants for zone 6 are varied and abundant. If you garden in this zone, consider yourself lucky. You have a lot of options, and the best of both worlds with a growing season that encompasses both cool and hot weather.

1. Hosta

This perennial favorite perennial (ha!) is known for its foliage, although it also blooms in summer with stalks of small, hanging flowers in white, light purple, or pink. Hosta is popular for its leaves, which can range from deep green-blue to light yellow-green, and variegated, depending on the variety, but also for its ability to grow in even deep shade. The darker the foliage color, the more shade it can tolerate.

Grow hosta plants in full or partial shade, in soil that is slightly acidic, remains moist, and drains well. Use hostas as borders, large specimens in beds, or for the smaller varieties, as ground cover. 'Blue Mouse Ear' hostas are cute and small and can be purchased from Wayside Gardens.

2. Bee Balm

Bee balm, or wild bergamot, is a native perennial with summer and fall flowers that attract pollinators. Dwarf varieties are as small as ten inches (25 cm), while standard varieties can be up to four feet (1.2 m) tall. The pretty flowers come in shades of red, purple, pink, and white.

Bee balm is low-maintenance. Give it a spot with full sun for the most flowers and soil that drains well. Water only when the soil dries out. Bee balm is a great companion for vegetable gardens. Find a great selection of bee balm plants from the Home Depot.

3. Coneflower

Another native perennial ideal for zone 6 is coneflower. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is the most common, but you can find many varieties and hybrids of Echinacea in colors ranging from yellow to red to white and even green. Coneflowers attract pollinators and feed birds if you leave the seedheads in place.

Coneflowers grow up to five feet (1.6 m) tall and bloom best in full sun. They make excellent specimens in beds or as part of a native wildflower garden. The soil should drain well and be slightly acidic. While they benefit from regular watering, coneflowers can tolerate some drought conditions. Find an established purple coneflower plant from Nature Hills Nursery.

4. Sedum

Also known as stonecrop, sedum is a big genus of plants with a lot of options for flowering perennials that are hardy in zone 6. They are succulents with fleshy leaves that tolerate drought and bloom in late summer and fall with flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers in pink, lavender, red, and white. One unique and popular variety, ‘Autumn Joy,’ blooms pink and turns rust red in fall.

You can find sedums that grow up to two feet (0.6 m) tall and short varieties that only reach six inches (15 cm). Provide sedum plants with full sun or a little shade, loose, well-drained soil, and minimal watering once established. Find sedum 'Autumn Joy' from Garden Goods Direct.

5. Daylilies

The daylily is popular throughout its hardiness zones for good reasons. It produces an abundance of bright flowers among striking and dense foliage, and it is easy to care for. Each flower only lasts for a day, but the plants keep blooming in shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, or pink for weeks or months, depending on the variety.

Grow daylilies in full sun and in loamy, fertile soil. They will tolerate some shade and poor soil, but these aren’t the most ideal growing conditions. Once established, you shouldn’t have to water daylilies unless you are going through a dry spell. 'Fragrant Returns', available from Wayside Gardens, is a gorgeous lemon yellow hybrid variety.

6. Asters

If you like daisies, consider growing one of the many varieties of aster that do well in zone 6. Asters are native and bloom in late summer and fall. They are often displayed in stores in the fall, but these are long-lived perennials you can put in the ground and enjoy year after year. Depending on the type, you can find asters in blue, pink, white, or purple and in heights ranging from one to 6 feet (0.3 to 1.8 m).

Full sun is best for asters, as shade can make them lanky and floppy. The soil should be slightly acidic and loamy. Water as needed to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Find New England aster seeds from Eden Brothers Nursery on Amazon.

7. Coreopsis

Also known as tickseed, one of the benefits of coreopsis is its long bloom time. You can enjoy cheerful, daisy-like flowers from late summer right up to the first frost in zone 6. With more than 80 varieties, you have options in terms of size, flower color, and even foliage texture.

With the right conditions, coreopsis plants are very low-maintenance. They do best in full sun and loamy or sandy soil that drains very well. Water coreopsis plants until they are established. After that, they will tolerate droughts fairly well. To keep it blooming, deadhead your coreopsis as the flowers fade. Find a 5-pack of cheery coreopsis at Lowe's.

8. Ferns

Not all zone 6 perennials are noted for their flowers. Ferns are non-flowering perennials grown for their unique, feathery foliage. Another good reason to choose ferns is that they grow well in shade. Some types will even thrive in deep shade.

You can find a huge variety of ferns, from tiny ground covers to majestic specimens. Some good choices for zone 6 include ostrich fern, lady fern, maidenhair fern, and Japanese painted fern. Plant ferns in shady spots with soil that won’t dry out. Find ostrich ferns from Native Wildflowers Nursery.

9. American Wisteria

For a flowering vine in zone 6, consider American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens). Often overlooked for the Japanese or Chinese types, American wisteria is native and much less aggressive than its non-native counterparts. This vine, which blooms with gorgeous clusters of blue or purple flowers in early summer, can grow up to 40 feet (12 m) tall.

Choose a spot with partial shade for an American wisteria vine. The soil should be moist but also drain well. Be sure you have something sturdy for it to climb. The benefits of American wisteria as compared to the other types are that it is native, smaller, and doesn’t require as much pruning. Find 'Amethyst Falls' American wisteria from Fast Growing Trees.

Do you long for hot summers and mild winters? Head for one of the states in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10. The average low temperatures in winter don’t fall much below freezing, so the growing season is long indeed. It’s the zone where you can grow citrus trees and tropical plants and work a garden all year round.

If you look at the USDA planting zone map, you’ll see that the three big areas of Zone 10 are southern California, southern Florida, and Hawaii. In these warm regions, you can grow a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and drought-tolerant plants.

Here are three great choices in each category of zone 10 plants.

Zone 10 Trees

• Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus × meyeri): All citrus grows well in USDA zone 10, but why not pick the cute and productive Meyer lemon tree. This small tree (to 12 feet/4m tall) produces sweet, thin-skinned fruit the color of egg yolks. They need direct sun, well draining acidic soil, and regular irrigation. Find a Meyer lemon tree at Fast Growing Trees.
• Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'): Do you want all the charm of a southern magnolia but in a smaller size? ‘Little Gem’ is your tree. It usually doesn’t get much taller than 20 feet (7m) but offers king-size, super fragrant white blossoms. Here’s another tree that wants full sun and well-draining soil. 'Little Gem' magnolia trees are available from Fast Growing Trees.
• Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea): This is a fragrant evergreen with round, silvery-blue leaves. Fast-growing and aromatic, this eucalyptus grows to 50 feet (17m) tall in sunny locations on well-draining soil. Native to Australia, it thrives in full sun, well-drained soil. Perfect Plants Nursery has silver dollar eucalyptus trees for sale.

Zone 10 Shrubs

• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub grown for its aromatic leaves. It is a versatile and attractive plant, used for landscaping but also for culinary and medicinal purposes. Native to the Mediterranean region, this tough shrub loves and needs direct sun, and is very tolerant of heat and drought. Heirloom rosemary seeds can be found on Amazon.
• American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): Brilliant magenta berries give this deciduous shrub its common name. Beautyberry grows to 6 feet (2m) tall and prefers full or partial sun and moist, well-drained soil. The berries are beloved by local wildlife and can hang on the shrub’s branches into winter. American beautyberry bare roots can be purchased from the Arbor Day Foundation.
• Firebush (Hamelia patens): This shrub, native to Florida, produces fire-red flowers that will bloom for months on end, to the delight of both wild birds and butterflies. It requires a full sun location but, once established, it won’t ask for much else. Few shrubs are easier: firebush is heat and drought tolerant, accepts any soil, and has no serious disease or pest issues. Find a firebush shrub at Lowe's.

Zone 10 Perennial Flowers

• Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp.): You might not expect a plant with such wonderful blue or white flower clusters to be called tough survivors. But that’s Agapanthus for you, a strappy evergreen that can face down heat and chronic drought. They need full sun and well-draining soil. Bare-root Agapanthus can be purchased from Park Seed.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Black-Eyed Susan are among the most easily recognizable perennials, with their yellow/orange petals and dark centers. They need a full sun location, well-drained soil, and sufficient water while they are getting established, then they thrive on their own. Heat-tolerant plants that thrive in Zone 10, typically grown as annuals or short-lived perennials. They require full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture during establishment, making them ideal for borders and container gardens. Find black-eyed Susan seeds from Ferry-Morse.
• Coneflower (Echinacea spp.): Coneflowers are easy-care, popular perennials with vibrant blossoms in fabulous shades of pink, red, and yellow. They bloom for months and are magnets for pollinators. Heat and drought tolerant, they thrive in full sun. Heirloom purple coneflower seeds can be found at Amazon.

Zone 10 Annual Flowers

• Petunias (Petunia spp.): There is not one petunia, but rather dozens of different petunia varieties, all prolific bloomers with trumpet-shaped flowers. They come in almost every color in the rainbow - including pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, green, and white - plus striped and veined versions. Seeds for gorgeous petunias in every color can be found at Park Seed.
• Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus): There is something whimsical about cosmos flowers that make you smile. These annuals are called the “carefree superstars” of the flower garden. Their blooms look like tall daisies in brilliant colors, attracting pollinators including bees and butterflies. Easy to grow and easy to maintain in a sunny area. These flowers are a little less demanding about soil, but if it won’t drain readily, the cosmos won’t thrive. Find a blend of cosmos seeds from the Seed Needs store on Amazon.
• Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus): There are perennial sunflowers but also annual sunflowers - and the annuals can thrive in Zone 10 year-round. They love full sun and well-drained soil. Everyone recognizes the pretty golden faces of this plant that turn to face the sun. One of the most common and popular varieties in zone 10 is 'Lemon Queen', a branching type with multiple bright yellow flowers. Find 'Lemon Queen' sunflower seeds from Botanical Interests.

Zone 10 Drought Tolerant Plants

• Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.): Bougainvillea are drought-tolerant plants that can be flowering perennials, shrubs or vines. Give these tough shrubs at least 8 hours of direct sun and terrific drainage, and they will reward you - in zone 10 - with year-round flowers in brilliant colors. They need water - so you should water deeply once every four weeks. Soggy soil will cause root rot. Fast Growing Trees has a stunning selection of bright pink, orange, and purple bougainvillea plants for sale.
• Sage (Salvia spp.): Sage is an ideal plant for USDA Zone 10, with its mild winters and hot summers. They are loved for their easy-care qualities: drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and low-maintenance. And if you want to attract pollinators, sage is the way to go to bring in hummingbirds and butterflies. My personal favorite is Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii), with its super-fragrant flowers. Plant in a full sun location in well-drained soil. You will need to prune in late winter to encourage fresh growth. Find Cleveland sage seeds from Little Seedery on Etsy.
• Sedum (Sedum spp.): Sedum is a succulent that thrives in high heat, laughs at drought, and works well as low-growing ground cover in sunny areas. While sedums don’t need much water when they are established, they do need some water when you first install them. They also need excellent drainage to prevent rot. Find a lovely live sedum 'Angelina' from Park Seed.

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Can I grow acai berry trees? Often compared to the blueberry for its similar nutritional benefits, acai products made from this trendy superfood have been finding their way onto grocery store shelves. But due to their short shelf life, fresh berries are difficult to purchase outside acai berry growing zones. Learn all about how to grow acai berries at home.

Can I Grow Acai Berry Plants at Home?

Native to the Amazon rainforest, the palm trees (Euterpe oleracea) which produce the acai berry have been utilized by local South American cultures for millennia. Not only have indigenous populations long consumed the dark purple berries and palm hearts, but they have also harvested the palm leaves and wood for crafting and construction purposes.

As a tropical species, the acai berry USDA growing zones are limited to 10 and 11 in the continental US. In these zones, growing acai berries from seed or purchasing potted acai palm seedlings are the typical way to acquire new plants. These forest-floor plants prefer a shady location and moist, compost-rich soil.

But learning how to grow acai palms at home is possible, even if you live outside the traditional acai berry growing zones. When growing acai berries indoors, whether it's in a greenhouse or as a potted plant, it's best to acquire dwarf specimens, since regular-sized palms reach a mature height of 90 feet (27 m) or more.

Growing acai berries indoors requires a tropical-like setting, and these plants prefer an ambient temperature of 70 degrees F (21 C) or above. Bring the potted plants inside before night temps drop below 50 degrees F (10 C) to protect them. Keep the growing medium moist, and transplant young trees to a larger container every six months.

Growing Acai Berries From Seed

Unlike many common hybrid fruit species, growing acai berries from seed will produce a true-to-type palm specimen. These fast-growing trees take an average of 3 to 5 years to blossom and fruit. A mature palm grown outdoors can produce up to 48 pounds of fruit per year. Gardeners growing acai berries indoors should expect smaller yields.

Here's how to get your acai berry seeds started:

• Use clean, fresh seed. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours as soon as they arrive.
• Plant soaked seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep in a pot filled with moistened, soilless starting mix.
• Seal the pot in a plastic bag and place it in a warm location. A temperature of 80 degrees F (27 C) or more is recommended.
• Expect germination within 1 to 2 months. The sprouts will appear as red spikes. Remove the plastic and keep the pot moist.
• Once the plants are 2 inches (5 cm) tall, transplant the acai palm seedlings into individual pots using a quality potting soil mix designed for palms or cacti.
• When planting outdoors, space acai palms 15 feet (4.5 m) apart.
• When growing acai berries indoors, your plant’s height can be controlled by trimming the main stalk and allowing the side shoots to grow and produce fruit.
• Harvest time can be year-round for outdoor acai palms, but may be limited to specific times of the year for potted trees.
• Use or preserve harvested berries quickly.

Zone 9 is a warm climate zone that includes parts of California, Florida, and Texas. Anyone gardening in Zone 9 has a long growing season with a few days of frost. Your garden can run the gamut from cool-season crops to heat-loving veggies, as long as you plant them at the right time. The Mediterranean climate makes living in Zone 9 easy, with dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters.

When you sit down to make a USDA Zone 9 planting schedule, knowing which veggies to plant in when to plant each crop is super important. This climate lets you grow almost anything – including veggies, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Lucky for you, seed starting in Zone 9 can much earlier than in other parts of the country which means more time for growing and harvesting!

This Zone 9 planting guide helps you understand your options for vegetables to plant each month to let you get the best annual harvest possible.

January

We start out the Zone 9 planting calendar with January, the worst of the winter weather is behind you in Zone 9. The days are starting to get longer, but they are still quite cool. Although the top growing season doesn’t begin for several months, you can sow a variety of Zone 9 plants in January.

There are a few products that can help you grow seedlings that will be strong and healthy for transplanting later. Our editors like the AC Infinity humidity dome, Vivosun heat mat, and Barrina grow lights which are available from Amazon.

February

February is a bit warmer than January. The air still holds the memory of a cool winter, but there’s enough sun to make you believe that spring is around the corner. Focus on cool-season crops like leafy greens and root vegetables.

March

Winter is supposed to exit on March 2, and in Zone 9, March means that the soil temperatures have already started to rise a bit. That means that more crops can be planted outside in the garden, and it’s time to focus on warm-season crops. You can still plant cool-season crops that grow to maturity quickly. Keep your eye on the weather, and use row covers if a late frost is expected.

April

April in Zone 9 is a gardener’s version of April in Paris. It’s the prime month for gardening in this mild hardiness zone, and a good month for beginners to get started. All chance of frost is gone, early in the month, and the spring sunshine is utterly enchanting. Focus on warm-season crops.

May

Spring is in full swing in May for those in Zone 9. Outdoor gardens are thriving with some veggies already ready for harvest. When planting, focus on veggies that like summer warmth because it has arrived or is coming.

June

June is almost summer, with hotter weather. Now’s the time to plant heat-loving, warm season veggies and keeping an eye out for pests. You can also succession plant cool-season favorites like beets for fall harvest.

July

July in Zone 9 is big, bold, and dramatic. The sun is hot, pests are aplenty, irrigation a must. This is a month of abundance, and all of the warm-season crops thrive but you can’t stint on irrigation! Try getting up early to enjoy a morning in the cool of the garden while watering your crops.

August

August is the official end of summer but it’s still sunny and hot. You can plant both warm-season veggies for a late crop and root veggies, and heat-tolerant crops like okra. It’s also a great moment to start seeds indoors for autumn planting.

September

There are worse places to be than in Zone 9 during September. This transitional month often offers fantastic weather, as the temperatures cool a bit and the leaves start to turn. The warm days and cool nights are excellent for garden work without all the stress and heat of summer.

October

In October, Zone 9 is in transition, moving away from the hot, dry summer to cooler, wetter fall temperatures. But everyday isn’t chilly – days can still be warm, making it a little tricky for fall crops. This is a great month for planting cool-season vegetables, especially leafy greens. It’s also a fine time to put in an herb garden.

November

For Zone 9 gardeners, November is not the end of the garden. Those who live in colder climates are putting away the tools, but in Zone 9, you can still sow seeds and prune your perennials. This month can be productive and full of contradictions, but it’s still fine to plant leafy greens, root veggies and legumes.

December

December is winter, but in Zone 9, it may not look like winter. It’s a sort of second planting season since you can sow leafy greens, root vegetables and legumes. It’s not toasty warm but the soil is warm enough for seeds to grow. And if you’re dreaming of tomatoes, never fear – spring is just around the corner.

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Gardening by USDA zone is important because it allows you to choose plants appropriate for your area’s climate. Zone 8 is one of the warmer zones, so there are plenty of options for plants that will not just survive but thrive in your garden. Zone 8 plants are diverse and include trees, shrubs, perennials, and annual flowers.

Gardening in zone 8 gives you plenty of plant options, but there are still some limitations. It’s important to understand the USDA planting zone map and what it tells you about zone 8, so you can garden successfully.

USDA zones are defined by average annual extreme minimum winter temperatures, or in other words, how cold it can possibly get in winter. Plants that can survive these minimums are suitable to grow in the zone. Zone 8 extreme winter minimums range from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 to -6.7 Celsius). This is a region known for its hot summers and mild winters, and there are plenty of hardy zone 8 plants to choose from.

Zone 8 includes large areas of southern and southeastern states, like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Other states that have smaller pockets of zone 8 include Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Zone 8 Perennials

• Creeping Thyme. Creeping thyme (Thymus spp.) is a low-growing type of thyme that is suitable for zone 8 and can be used as an attractive ground cover. Depending on the type, creeping thyme will grow between 2 and 6 inches (5 and 15 cm) tall. It grows best in full sun and will reward you with abundant small flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. Keep the soil moist during hot weather or drought. Find creeping thyme seeds at Amazon.
• Coneflower. Purple coneflower is the classic type, but you can now find all kinds of Echinacea species in different colors and petal types. Native coneflowers grow in zones 4 through 8 and attract birds and pollinators to the garden. These zone 8 perennials tolerate poor soil and are easy to grow in partial shade. They also tolerate drought well but will bloom more consistently if the soil stays moist. Heirloom purple coneflower seeds can be found at Amazon.
• Bleeding Heart. For shady areas of the garden, consider planting bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis). While it can tolerate some sun in warmer regions, this is a true shade plant for zone 8. Bleeding heart is known for its unique flowers in red, pink, or white, which are shaped like hearts and hang from arching branches. The soil for bleeding hearts should be rich and moist, and must drain well. Bleeding heart bare roots can be purchased from the Home Depot.

Annual Plants for Zone 8

• Marigolds. It’s hard to beat the cheerful, colorful blooms of all types of marigolds (Tagetes spp.). These are true annuals wherever they are grown, completing a complete life cycle in one growing season. The sizes of marigolds vary depending on type, and the colors can be all shades of red, yellow, and orange. Grow marigolds in full sun for the best blooms. They are not picky about soil type, but they should be watered as it dries out. Farmer's Almanac marigold seeds can be found at Amazon.
• Zinnias. Zinnia elegans is a classic summer annual. Zinnias grow fast and bloom readily throughout summer and fall, even with little care or maintenance. They’re even easy to start from seed. These days, you can find many varieties of zinnias in all kinds of colors, even green. Grow these zone 8 annuals in full sun in rich soil that drains well. Zinnias tolerate drought, but they’ll benefit from watering during very dry conditions. Find lots of gorgeous zinnia seeds from Burpee.
• Ornamental Peppers. Capsicum annuum, ornamental peppers, are a fun alternative to annual flowers. The blooms open in summer, but the real show is the abundance of small, colorful peppers that develop after the flowers. Peppers grow best in full sun and rich soil that drains well. Water your peppers regularly and don’t let the soil dry out or get soggy. Don’t plant them outside until all risk of frost has passed. Find hot Thai ornamental pepper seeds from True Leaf Market.

Trees for Zone 8

• Eastern Redbud. Cercis canadensis is a beautiful native tree suited to zone 8 yards and gardens. It’s small, only growing to about 30 feet (9 m) tall and wide. It blooms with pink or white flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge. Redbud trees grow best in full sun and can tolerate even poor soils. They do need watering during droughts. Find eastern redbud trees for sale at Fast Growing Trees.
• Southern Magnolia. Another flowering tree to consider for your zone 8 garden is the classic southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). This type of magnolia can grow up to 80 feet (24 m) tall and blooms in spring and summer with creamy, pink-touched white flowers. Southern magnolias prefer moist, well-drained, and fertile soils. They don’t tolerate drought well until they are established, so water young trees as needed. Find a southern magnolia tree for sale from Nature Hills Nursery.
• Live Oak. If you garden in zone 8, you are lucky enough to be just within the right range for growing this majestic southern tree. Quercus virginiana is known for its large spread (up to 100 feet or 30 m wide) and low, horizontal branches, perfect for climbing. Live oaks are also very long-lived. They grow best in medium to moist soil and thrive in humid conditions. Purchase a live oak tree from Fast Growing Trees.

Shrubs for Zone 8

• Carolina Allspice. Calycanthus floridus is a great option for a native shrub in zone 8. Also called sweet shrub, it can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and blooms in spring with non-showy but very fragrant flowers. Grow Carolina allspice in sun or partial shade and water only during drought. This shrub can be trained into a hedge and will withstand strong winds. Carolina allspice shrubs can be purchased from Native Wildflowers Nursery.
• Camellia. Camellia (Camellia spp.) is not native to North America, but it’s a worthy choice for zone 8 gardens. This broadleaf evergreen blooms in late fall, winter, and early spring with stunning flowers in shades of pink, red, lavender, yellow, or white. Camellia shrubs grow up to 12 feet (3.7 m) tall but grow slowly and are long-lived. They grow best in moist, rich soil with some shade. Give them plenty of space to grow into their full size. Fast Growing Trees has a wonderful selection of camellia shrubs in shades of pink, white, and red.
• Abelia. All varieties of abelia (Abelia spp.) are easy to grow and can be as tall as ten feet (3 m). You can find evergreen and deciduous types. Abelia is notable for its colorful foliage that changes throughout the seasons and the abundance of flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Abelia shrubs grow best in moist soil that drains well and is fertile. They can grow in full sun or partial shade. Full sun allows for the most vibrant colors and abundant blooms. 'Kaleidoscope' abelia from Fast Growing Trees makes an excellent addition to Zone 8 gardens.

Zone 8 Edible Gardens

If you live in Zone 8, your region has mild winters with the low temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees F. (10 and -6 C.). Most Zone 8 areas have temperate summer climates with cooler nights and a long growing season. This combination allows for lovely flowers and thriving vegetable plots.

Zone 8 Vegetables

When you are growing vegetable gardens in Zone 8, you can plant most of the familiar vegetables, sometimes even twice a year. In this zone, you can put in your vegetable seeds early enough to contemplate successive plantings. Try this with cool-season vegetables like carrots, peas, celery, and broccoli.

Cool season vegetables grow in temperatures 15 degrees cooler than warm season veggies. Salad greens and green leafy vegetables, like collards and spinach, are also cool-season vegetables and will do well as Zone 8 plants. Sow these seeds early – in early spring or even late winter – for good eating in early summer. Sow again in early fall for a winter harvest.

Zone 8 Perennial Edibles

You can grow herbaceous perennial edibles that come back year after year like:

• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Cardoon
• Prickly pear cactus
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries

Zone 8 Backyard Orchard Trees

When you are growing plants in Zone 8, think fruit trees and brambles. So many types of fruit trees and shrubs make good choices. You can grow backyard orchard favorites like:

• Apple
• Pear
• Apricot
• Fig
• Cherry
• Citrus trees
• Nut trees

Other Zone 8 Edible Plants

If you want something different, branch out with persimmons, pineapple guava, or pomegranates. Almost all herbs are happy in Zone 8. Try planting:

• Chives
• Sorrel
• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Sage

Need more ideas for getting the most from your plants, indoors and out, and looking for the best seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!

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Learning About the North Dakota USDA Plant Hardiness Map

The USDA has been publishing plant hardiness maps since 1960. Used as a foundational tool for gardeners and plant distributors, this map divides the country in zones based on average extreme winter low temperatures. This data is useful when choosing which plants will do best in your region, particularly those that will survive and thrive in your winter climate.

North Dakota is divided into two major zones and three subzones, according to the new 2023 North Dakota planting map. A chilly 3b and 4a are in the northern part of the state while the remainder of the state falls into 4b. These cool regions mean that gardeners have to be particularly cautious of what shrubs, trees, and perennial flowers they plant. Although it is possible to have a lovely garden in North Dakota, plants must be able to survive the winter. Click on the map above to enlarge it and find your growing zone.

When choosing plants based on the North Dakota plant map, it is always best to choose native species that are well adapted to the climate of the region. Local greenhouses and nurseries carry native species that are suitable for your growing region. In addition to choosing plants that will survive the winter in your area, be sure to follow the planting and care instructions carefully to ensure a healthy garden.

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Understanding New Jersey USDA Plant Hardiness Map

If you live in New Jersey and you want your garden to be a success, you need to know the growing zone that covers your region. The map above is the New Jersey planting map, which the USDA released for 2023.

New Jersey is divided into four different planting zones, 6b, 7a, 7b, and 8a. Click on the map to enlarge it to determine which zone you are in.

The USDA revised the old plant hardiness map to reflect changes in average winter low temperatures over the last thirty years. The map helps gardeners know which plants will survive winters in their region and is a great tool for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. In addition to new winter low temperatures, the USDA plant hardiness map now takes into consideration the closeness to a large body of water, elevation and the urban heat effect. 

Zone information should serve as a guide, so gardeners need to understand that failure to follow planting and care instructions can cause extensive damage, and even death, to a flower, shrub or tree. When shopping for plants for your region, visit your local greenhouses or plant distributors who will carry plants best suited for your USDA planting zone.

Extend your plant growing zones

• If you're growing in cooler zones, these Agfabric floating plant covers from Amazon are an affordable way to trap heat and protect your plants against frost and wind.
• The Ohuhu Portable Mini Greenhouse from Amazon is great for starting seedlings indoors or protecting plants outdoors in cold zones, especially for smaller spaces.
• Cold frames, like the Outsunny Raised Garden Bed Cold Frame from Amazon, are a stylish way to protect your raised beds from frost and rain while trapping in heat.

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Using Montana Planting Map for the Best Garden

The vast majority of the state of Montana falls into Montana USDA growing zones 3a and 3b, 4a and 4b, 5a and 5b, 6a, and 6b. This growing map is used to determine which plants, trees, and shrubs will overwinter without damage in particular areas.

The new 2023 USDA plant hardiness map is the result of 30 years of data collection from over 8,000 weather stations throughout the country. The map, which formerly considered only average extreme winter low temperatures, now factors in essential data regarding elevation, urban heat, and proximity to large bodies of water. 

With the new data and a significant winter warming trend across the country, many zones have shifted up from previous versions of the map. Although no gardener should take the Montana planting map as an absolute guarantee, the information is extremely valuable. 

To find your location on the Montana plant map, enlarge the map above and determine your zone or visit the USDA site where you can put your zip code into the new interactive feature. 

When selecting plants for your garden, it is wise to use the USDA plant hardiness information as a foundation. Most local greenhouses and nurseries will carry trees, shrubs, and flowers that are suitable for your region.

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About Wyoming USDA Plant Hardiness Map

The USDA revealed its Internet friendly plant hardiness map at the end of 2023. This map replaces the less sophisticated 2012 version and has made some significant changes using accurate data collected over a thirty-year period. Plant hardiness zones represent annual extreme winter low temperatures averaged over time. Gardeners across the country depend on this information when selecting plants for their home landscape.

The Wyoming planting map above outlines the hardiness zones within the state. Most of the state experiences very cold winter temperatures; however, there are some warmer pockets. To find your zone you can click on the map to enlarge it.

While there are perennial flowers, trees, and shrubs that will do well in the cold Wyoming winter, it is essential to know which ones these are before planting. Failure to consider which Wyoming zone you are in could lead to plant failure and disappointment.

For best results when planting anything in your garden or landscape, always follow the planting and care guidelines in addition to choosing plants that are appropriate for your Wyoming zone. Reputable nurseries in your area will only carry plants that are clearly marked with the USDA planting zones that are appropriate for the plant that is for sale.

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About Hardiness Growing Zones in Iowa

If you are looking for the growing zones in Iowa, you will need to refer to the USDA plant hardiness zone map. The USDA hardiness map above, for Iowa growing zones, can help you determine what planting zone you live in. You can find growing zones in Iowa by looking at the map above and locating the general area in which you live. Then you can compare the color of your planting zone to those found in the legend to the right of the Iowa plant zones map.

This map, which represents Iowa plant zones, is based on the 2023 revision to the USDA planting zones. This change was made due to the recent climate changes, resulting in warmer climate zones in some areas that were previously cooler. You should take time to understand your Iowa growing zones so you can choose plants that will tolerate your winter region. By choosing plants matching your zone, or one lower, they will be better equipped to survive wintry conditions. Plants grown outside your zone, or in higher zones, will generally require additional protection or relocation indoors. You can find plants appropriate for growing zones in Iowa at your local nursery. Reputable nurseries will sell landscaping plants that survive your area's climate conditions. These plants will also be marked as hardy to a specific growing zone. Non-hardy plants should also be labeled as such.

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About the Illinois Hardiness Planting Zone

Knowing your Illinois planting zone will make gardening much easier for you. In order to learn more about Illinois growing zones, it's important to view the USDA plant hardiness zones map. This not only provides hardiness zones for all states but will also tell you what garden zone Illinois is.

The map provided here is for the Illinois hardiness planting zone, which should help determine the most ideal plants for your area. Illinois growing zones range from zones 5a to 7b. By looking at the map above and locating the approximate area in which you live, you will be able to find your Illinois hardiness planting zone. 

Simply compare the color-coded zones for your area with those of the legend on the right of the map.

Due to climate changes and increasingly warmer temperatures, this map of Illinois growing zones is based on the revised USDA planting zones made in 2023. It is important to understand your Illinois hardiness planting zones in order to choose the most suitable plants for your area. 

For areas bordering separate zones, choosing plants that tolerate cooler conditions (such as a zone lower) will oftentimes help ensure their winter survival, as those that are less hardy will require additional protection. Most local nurseries provide plants that are suitable for Illinois growing zones. 

Keep in mind that only reputable nurseries specialize in selling landscaping plants appropriate for your area's hardiness zone and will have these clearly marked as such.

In addition to these plants, non-hardy species may also be available. These, too, should be clearly marked.

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Understanding More About Hawaii Plant Growing Zones

This is the map of the USDA planting zones for Hawaii. It can help you learn how the temperatures in your area will affect the plants you grow in your garden and what plants you should be choosing for your garden. This is one of the warmest areas on the USDA plant hardiness zone map. Finding your planting zone for Hawaii is easy. Match where you live on the Hawaii USDA map to the legend on the right. The color will indicate what planting zone you live in.

This Hawaii USDA plant hardiness zone map is based on the 2023 version of the USDA plant hardiness map for the United States. The plant hardiness zones were redrawn in 2023 to better account for the change in weather and temperature patterns that have happened over the last few decades. You may find that your zone is higher than you had previously thought. The reason you should know your planting zone for Hawaii if you are a gardener is because it will help you to make better choices for the plants in your garden. Using plants that are appropriate for your zone in your garden will result in a garden that looks beautiful year after year.

In Hawaii, since the zones are so high, you can technically grow almost any plant, but be aware that some of the plants in lower zones may need a period of cold in order to be healthy. Your local plant nursery will have plants that are appropriate for your zone and those plants will be clearly marked for which zone they belong to.

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Learn More About The Florida USDA Zone Map For Plant And Tree Hardiness

The map above is the Florida USDA zone map for plant hardiness. This map shows the growing zones for Florida. Knowing the plant growing zones in Florida is important because this will help you decide which plants you should have in your garden.

In order to find the plant growing zone in Florida that applies to you, locate where you live on the above Florida planting zone map. Take the color of that area and match it to the Florida planting zone map legend to the right. This will tell you what hardiness zone you live in.

This Florida zone map for hardiness of plants is based on the 2023 USDA plant hardiness zone map. In 2023, the USDA reviewed the hardiness zone map and found, that due to climate change, the zones had shifted. This map was created to show the new hardiness zones.

It is important to understand what the growing zones for Florida are and which zone you live in because this will help you have a successful garden. Planting flowers, trees, vegetables and other plants that are appropriate for you zone will ensure that these plants grow well from year to year.

To find plants that will grow in your zone, you can visit your local plant nursery. They will carry plants that will be clearly marked with the zone that they will grow in. You can grow any plant in your zone or lower in your garden.

If you wish to grow a plant that is in a zone that is higher than yours, you will need to provide extra protection for those plant and possibly even bring them in for the winter.

More From Gardening Know How

Florida Native Trees
● Bald Cypress
● Southern Magnolia
● Loblolly Pine
● American Persimmon

Florida Native Shrubs
● American Beautyberry
● Firebush
● Oakleaf Hydrangea
● Yaupon Holly

Florida Native Perennials
● Coreopsis
● Liatris
● Pink Muhly Grass
● Woodland Phlox

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Learn More About The USDA Map Of Plant Growing Zones In Delaware

The above map shows the growing zones for Delaware. These zones are meant to serve as a guide to you when you are making decisions about what to plant in your garden. To learn your zone, locate the area you live in on the Delaware zone map for hardiness. Match the area's color to the legend on the right. The color on the legend will show you what the zone you live in is.

This is the 2023 version of the USDA plant hardiness zone map. In 2023, the USDA Delaware zone map for hardiness was updated to better show the more current temperature trends that have developed over the past few years. These warmer temperature trends have been attributed to overall climate change.

When you know the plant growing zones in Delaware that apply to you, you will be able to plant a garden that will survive the winter and return, year after year, to give you pleasure and enjoyment. Whether you are ordering online or shopping at your local nursery, you will find that most plants will be marked with their appropriate planting zone. You can plant and grow anything that is in your zone or lower. So, for example, if you live in zone 7, you can plant anything in zones 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 and know that they will be able to survive where you live. Anything in a higher zone will need extra steps taken to protect it from the winter cold.

US Planting Zone Map – Growing Zones In The United States

Knowing your hardiness zone for plants is one of the most fundamental factors in gardening success. The zones tell you what you can plant as a perennial and which plants will only be annuals where you live. By understanding plant hardiness, the USDA zones, and where you fall on the map, you’ll be better able to select plants for your garden.

About Plant Hardiness

Hardiness refers to a plant’s ability to survive winter temperatures. If a plant is hardy (or cold hardy) where you live, you can plant it in the ground outside and expect it to come back year after year. In other words, it is a perennial.

If a plant is not hardy in your area, you can still grow it, but as an annual. If you leave it outdoors as the temperatures drop, it will die and not recover for the next growing season.

What Are US Hardiness Zones?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes it easy for you to determine which plants are hardy in any given area. The USDA defined hardiness zones for North America and created a map in 1960 that outlines those zones. The map was updated in 1965, 1990, 2012, and most recently in 2023.

A hardiness zone is defined by its lowest average annual temperature. Each zone includes a ten degree range of average minimum temperatures. The coldest zone is 1 with average low temperatures between -50 and -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-45.6 and -51.1 Celsius). Zone 13, the warmest has average low temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 and 21.1 Celsius). Within each zone are two subzones, a and b.

What Planting Zone am I in?

You can use the USDA map to find which zone you garden in. The latest edition of the growing zone map has even more detail, making it easier to pinpoint your exact zone. You can use the map by simply looking at it and finding your location, or you can use the USDA’s zip code tool.

In some areas, the zone is clear and easy to identify. In others, regional or local variations mean you might see two or more zones close to where you live. The zip code search is handy for these areas.

Gardening for Your Zone

Identifying your USDA zone is just the first step in using the map as a tool for a successful garden. When selecting plants, check their zones. Plants are labeled as being hardy in a range of zones, for instance 5 through 9. Compare the plants zones to your zone to decide if you can grow it as a perennial.

If your zone is the same as or higher than a plant’s listed zones, it is hardy and will grow as a perennial in your garden. If your zone is lower than what is listed on a plant, it will not survive winter in your garden and can be grown as an annual.

You can also use the zones to identify plants that will not grow well in your garden because the climate is too warm. For example, if you live in zone 8 and find a plant hardy in zones 3 and 4, technically you can grow it, but it likely won’t thrive in the warm conditions.

Keep in mind that the USDA zones are defined for planting in the ground, not containers. Soil in the ground stays warmer than soil in containers in the winter, so the zones do not apply to potted plants.

Also, note that there is a little wiggle room in zones. If you are in zone 5 and choose a plant that is hardy through zone 6, your climate is officially too cold. On the other hand, it’s borderline and there could be local variations that allow it to grow well. Beds against the south side of the house or in an area protected from wind might be a little warmer than your official zone suggests.

The USDA zone map is an essential tool for all gardeners. Without it, it’s difficult to know which plants you can grow and how to grow them. With the map, you can select the best perennials and annuals for a successful garden.

Plant Outside Your Zone with Season Extenders

What is My Hardiness Zone? Planting Zones by State

To find your zone, select your state or region in the list below to view a detailed hardiness zone map of your location.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Heat Zone Map Info – What Do Heat Zones Mean Anyway

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

USDA Zones In Canada: Are Canada Growing Zones Similar To U.S.

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

What Are Climate Zones – Gardening In Different Climate Types

Wisconsin

Wyoming