location_onRegional Climate Guide
Plant by Your Region
Find What Thrives in Your Climate. Understanding USDA hardiness zones and regional differences is the key to successful gardening across America's diverse climates.
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Filter by Zone:
US Growing Regions
Explore eight distinct growing regions across the United States, each with unique climate patterns, challenges, and plant recommendations.
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Northeast
Zones 3-7-40°F to 10°F
Four distinct seasons with cold winters and moderate summers. Perfect for hardy perennials and cold-tolerant grasses.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
35-50 inches annually
Growing Season
120-180 days
Avg Winter Low
-10°F to 10°F
Avg Summer High
75°F to 85°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightHeavy snow and ice
- chevron_rightLate spring frosts
- chevron_rightShort growing season in northern areas
spaFeatured Plants for Northeast
Sugar Maple
Zone 3-8
Purple Coneflower
Zone 3-9
Hosta
Zone 3-9
Kentucky Bluegrass
Zone 2-7
Sugar MapleEastern White PineBlack-Eyed SusanHostas
wb_sunny
Southeast
Zones 7-100°F to 40°F
Long, hot, humid summers with mild winters. Ideal for heat-loving tropicals and humidity-resistant varieties.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
45-65 inches annually
Growing Season
240-365 days
Avg Winter Low
25°F to 40°F
Avg Summer High
85°F to 95°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightHigh humidity promotes fungal diseases
- chevron_rightHurricane and tropical storm damage
- chevron_rightHeat stress on cool-season plants
spaFeatured Plants for Southeast
Crape Myrtle
Zone 7-9
St. Augustine Grass
Zone 8-10
Azalea
Zone 5-9
Southern Magnolia
Zone 7-10
Southern MagnoliaSt. Augustine GrassAzaleaCrape Myrtle
grass
Midwest
Zones 3-6-40°F to 0°F
Continental climate with extreme temperature swings. Resilient prairie plants and cold-hardy varieties thrive.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
25-40 inches annually
Growing Season
140-190 days
Avg Winter Low
-20°F to 0°F
Avg Summer High
80°F to 90°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightExtreme winter cold
- chevron_rightHot, humid summers
- chevron_rightTornado and severe storm damage
spaFeatured Plants for Midwest
Black-Eyed Susan
Zone 3-9
Bur Oak
Zone 3-8
Little Bluestem
Zone 3-9
Wild Bergamot
Zone 3-9
Black-Eyed SusanPurple Prairie CloverBur OakLittle Bluestem
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Southwest
Zones 8-1010°F to 40°F
Hot, arid climate with minimal rainfall. Xeriscaping essentials and drought-tolerant succulents excel.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
8-15 inches annually
Growing Season
270-365 days
Avg Winter Low
25°F to 40°F
Avg Summer High
95°F to 110°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightExtreme heat and drought
- chevron_rightAlkaline soils
- chevron_rightIntense UV radiation
spaFeatured Plants for Southwest
Blue Agave
Zone 9-11
Desert Marigold
Zone 8-10
Texas Sage
Zone 7-10
Red Yucca
Zone 5-10
Palo VerdeDesert MarigoldBlue AgaveTexas Sage
forest
Pacific Northwest
Zones 7-90°F to 30°F
Mild, wet winters and dry summers. Marine climate creates perfect conditions for shade-loving plants and conifers.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
35-150 inches annually
Growing Season
220-280 days
Avg Winter Low
30°F to 45°F
Avg Summer High
70°F to 85°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightExcessive rainfall in winter
- chevron_rightSummer drought stress
- chevron_rightSlug and snail damage
spaFeatured Plants for Pacific Northwest
Rhododendron
Zone 4-9
Japanese Maple
Zone 5-9
Douglas Fir
Zone 4-6
Sword Fern
Zone 3-8
Douglas FirWestern Red CedarRhododendronJapanese Maple
sunny
California
Zones 8-1110°F to 50°F
Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild, wet winters. Diverse microclimates from coast to mountains.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
10-40 inches annually
Growing Season
300-365 days
Avg Winter Low
35°F to 50°F
Avg Summer High
75°F to 100°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightExtended summer drought
- chevron_rightWildfire risk
- chevron_rightWater restrictions
spaFeatured Plants for California
California Poppy
Zone 6-10
Lavender
Zone 5-9
Coast Live Oak
Zone 9-10
Blue Fescue
Zone 4-8
Coast Live OakCalifornia PoppyLavenderRosemary
terrain
Mountain West
Zones 3-6-40°F to 0°F
High elevation with intense sun, low humidity, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Alpine and xeric-adapted plants thrive.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
12-25 inches annually
Growing Season
90-150 days
Avg Winter Low
-10°F to 20°F
Avg Summer High
75°F to 90°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightShort growing season
- chevron_rightLate spring and early fall frosts
- chevron_rightIntense UV radiation
spaFeatured Plants for Mountain West
Blue Spruce
Zone 2-7
Columbine
Zone 3-8
Buffalo Grass
Zone 3-9
Penstemon
Zone 3-9
Blue SpruceRocky Mountain JuniperAspenColumbine
eco
Great Plains
Zones 3-7-40°F to 10°F
Windy, semi-arid grasslands with hot summers and cold winters. Native prairie plants and wind-tolerant species excel.
thermostatClimate Characteristics
Annual Rainfall
15-30 inches annually
Growing Season
140-200 days
Avg Winter Low
-10°F to 10°F
Avg Summer High
85°F to 100°F
warningCommon Challenges
- chevron_rightSevere wind exposure
- chevron_rightHail and tornado damage
- chevron_rightTemperature extremes
spaFeatured Plants for Great Plains
Blazing Star
Zone 3-9
Sideoats Grama
Zone 4-9
Eastern Red Cedar
Zone 2-9
Purple Coneflower
Zone 3-9
Buffalo GrassSideoats GramaEastern Red CedarBlazing Star
Understanding USDA Hardiness Zones
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard for determining which plants are most likely to thrive in your location based on average annual minimum winter temperatures.
How Zones Work
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Temperature Based
Zones are divided by 10°F increments, with sub-zones (a and b) representing 5°F differences.
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Location Matters
Microclimates, elevation, and proximity to water can create zone variations within the same area.
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Not the Full Picture
Zones indicate cold hardiness only. Consider heat, humidity, rainfall, and soil type for complete plant selection.
Zone Range Reference
3
-40°F to -30°F
Northern Plains, Mountain States
4
-30°F to -20°F
Upper Midwest, Northern Rockies
5
-20°F to -10°F
Midwest, New England
6
-10°F to 0°F
Mid-Atlantic, Central Plains
7
0°F to 10°F
Southeast, Pacific Northwest
8
10°F to 20°F
Deep South, California
9
20°F to 30°F
Florida, Southern California
10
30°F to 40°F
South Florida, Hawaii
Frost Date Calendar by Region
Know your first and last frost dates to optimize planting schedules and protect tender plants.
Northeast
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Apr 15 - May 15
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First Fall Frost
Sep 15 - Oct 15
Southeast
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Mar 1 - Apr 15
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First Fall Frost
Oct 15 - Nov 30
Midwest
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Apr 15 - May 15
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First Fall Frost
Sep 15 - Oct 15
Southwest
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Feb 15 - Mar 30
ac_unit
First Fall Frost
Nov 1 - Dec 15
Pacific Northwest
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Mar 15 - May 1
ac_unit
First Fall Frost
Oct 1 - Nov 15
California
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Jan 15 - Apr 1
ac_unit
First Fall Frost
Nov 1 - Dec 31
Mountain West
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
May 15 - Jun 15
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First Fall Frost
Aug 15 - Sep 30
Great Plains
wb_twilight
Last Spring Frost
Apr 15 - May 15
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First Fall Frost
Sep 15 - Oct 15
Growing Season Comparison
Compare the length of growing seasons across regions to understand crop potential and garden planning.
Northeast
120-180
Days Per Year
Southeast
240-365
Days Per Year
Midwest
140-190
Days Per Year
Southwest
270-365
Days Per Year
Pacific Northwest
220-280
Days Per Year
California
300-365
Days Per Year
Mountain West
90-150
Days Per Year
Great Plains
140-200
Days Per Year
Regional Planting Calendar Overview
General planting guidelines by region. Always adjust for your specific zone and local frost dates.
local_florist
Spring
- check_circleCool-season crops: Lettuce, peas, spinach (2-4 weeks before last frost)
- check_circleWarm-season plants: After last frost date
- check_circleTrees and shrubs: Best time for planting in most zones
wb_sunny
Summer
- check_circleSuccession planting: Fast-growing crops every 2-3 weeks
- check_circleFall crop planning: Start seeds for fall harvest
- check_circleHeat-tolerant varieties: Focus in hot regions
park
Fall
- check_circleCool-season return: Broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts
- check_circleSpring bulbs: Plant tulips, daffodils, alliums
- check_circleGarlic planting: 4-6 weeks before ground freezes
Ready to Start Planting?
Browse our comprehensive plant database filtered by your specific hardiness zone.