What Zone Am I In? Find Your USDA Growing Zone by ZIP Code

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map of the United States

What Zone Am I In?

If you’re asking “what zone am I in?” your answer comes from your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. This zone is based on the average coldest winter temperatures in your area and helps you choose plants—especially perennials, trees, and shrubs—that are more likely to survive year after year.

Use the ZIP code tool above to find your USDA growing zone. Once you know your zone, the sections below explain what it means and how to use it.

How to Find Your USDA Growing Zone

Finding your growing zone is quick and only takes a moment. Your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is determined by the average coldest winter temperatures in your area.

  1. Enter your ZIP code
    Use the ZIP code lookup tool at the top of this page to search by your location.
  2. View your USDA zone and subzone
    Your result will show a zone number (such as 6, 7, or 9) and a subzone (a or b), which reflects a 5°F difference in typical winter lows.
  3. Use your zone to choose plants
    Select trees, shrubs, and perennials that are rated for your zone or colder to improve winter survival and long-term success.

Your growing zone is most useful for choosing plants that need to survive winter outdoors. For planting dates and seasonal timing, pair your zone with your local frost dates.

Common Mistakes When Using Growing Zones

  • Using zones to decide when to plant: USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance, not planting or harvest dates.
  • Ignoring microclimates: Wind exposure, slopes, elevation, and nearby buildings can make parts of your garden warmer or colder than the surrounding area.
  • Choosing borderline plants: Plants rated exactly for your zone may struggle during unusually cold winters. When possible, choose varieties rated for one zone colder.

What Are USDA Plant Hardiness Zones?

Plant hardiness zones—also known as growing zones or planting zones—are set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum temperature in each area over a 30-year period.

USDA hardiness zones are based on a 30-year period of average annual extreme minimum winter temperatures, shown as 10°F zones and 5°F half-zones.

The USDA zone system uses zones from 1 (coldest) to 13 (warmest). Most of the continental U.S. falls within zones 3–10, while zones 12–13 primarily appear in tropical regions such as Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

This helps gardeners choose plants that are better matched to local winter conditions—especially bareroot trees, shrubs, and other perennials.

Important: USDA zones describe winter cold only. They do not account for summer heat, rainfall, soil type, or microclimates. For planting timing, pair your zone with your first and last frost dates.

Why Growing Zones Matter

If you’ve ever searched “what garden zone am I in?” or “planting zones by zip code”, you’re usually trying to answer a practical question: why didn’t a plant survive winter, or will this one make it through next year?

Your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is the single most reliable starting point for understanding how cold it gets where you garden—and which plants are likely to survive those conditions long term. While it doesn’t tell the whole story, it sets realistic expectations, especially for perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines.

  • Choose plants that can survive your winters: Plants rated for your zone have been tested against similar minimum temperatures, making them more likely to return year after year.
  • Reduce winter damage to perennials and trees: Many cold-weather losses happen below ground. Knowing your zone helps you protect roots, crowns, and graft unions before severe cold sets in.
  • Plan protection strategies for extreme weather: Even zone-appropriate plants can suffer during unusually cold winters. Understanding your zone helps you decide when to mulch, cover, or shelter plants.
  • Make better long-term planting decisions: Zones are especially important when investing in fruit trees, berry plants, ornamental shrubs, and other plants meant to grow for many years.

In short, your growing zone helps you avoid guesswork. It won’t eliminate risk entirely, but it dramatically improves the odds that your garden survives winter and thrives over time.

Shop by Growing Zone

Once you know your USDA zone, you can browse plants that are more likely to perform well in your region:

How to Use a Growing Zone Map

A growing zone map helps you understand how cold it usually gets in winter where you live. This information makes it easier to choose plants that are more likely to survive year after year.

  • Find your zone by ZIP code: Use the lookup tool above to see your USDA growing zone based on your location.
  • Check your zone number: Each zone represents a range of winter cold. Lower numbers mean colder winters; higher numbers mean milder winters.
  • Use subzones (a and b): Subzones show a small temperature difference. If you’re near the edge of a zone, this detail can matter.
  • Use frost dates for planting timing: Growing zones are about winter survival, not when to plant. Use frost dates to decide when to start seeds or plant outdoors.
  • Pay attention to your yard: Sheltered areas near buildings may stay warmer, while windy or exposed spots may be colder.

When you combine your growing zone with frost dates and your local conditions, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what will grow successfully in your garden.

What Your Growing Zone Means for Your Garden

Cold Zones (USDA Zones 1–5)

  • Choose cold-hardy perennials and trees
  • Use season extenders and mulch
  • Protect roots from freeze–thaw cycles

Moderate Zones (USDA Zones 6–8)

  • Grow a wide range of crops
  • Watch for late spring frosts
  • Use succession planting

Warm Zones (USDA Zones 9–13)

  • Focus on heat-tolerant plants
  • Manage water carefully
  • Grow cool-season crops in fall and winter

Using Your Zone for Year-Round Planning

Your USDA growing zone isn’t just for choosing plants in spring—it’s a tool you can use all year to plan, protect, and invest wisely in your garden. When you understand how cold it typically gets where you live, you can make better decisions long before winter arrives.

  • Select perennials that tolerate your winter lows: Trees, shrubs, berries, and perennial flowers need to survive winter to be worth the investment. Choosing plants rated for your zone (or colder) improves long-term success.
  • Time planting with frost dates: Your zone tells you what can survive winter, while frost dates tell you when to plant. Using both together helps prevent losses from late spring frosts or early fall cold.
  • Prepare for extreme weather: Even zone-appropriate plants can be damaged by unusual cold snaps or heat waves. Knowing your zone helps you decide when to mulch, cover plants, or provide extra protection.
  • Use microclimates to your advantage: Sheltered spots near buildings or walls may stay warmer, while exposed areas may act colder. You can use this knowledge to place more sensitive plants where they’re better protected.

Why USDA Zones Use 30-Year Climate Data

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are based on 30 years of temperature data, not just recent weather. This long-term approach helps gardeners make decisions that hold up over time, especially for plants meant to live for many years.

  • Provides reliable long-term guidance: A 30-year average smooths out short-term weather extremes and gives a clearer picture of typical winter conditions.
  • Reduces the impact of single extreme winters: One unusually cold or mild year doesn’t define your zone, helping avoid overreacting to temporary conditions.
  • Supports confident perennial planting: Trees, shrubs, and other long-lived plants benefit most from this long-range perspective.

Can Growing Zones Change?

Yes. Growing zones can shift over time as climate patterns change. That’s why USDA maps are updated periodically and why it’s a good idea to re-check your zone occasionally.

  • Re-check your zone before major plantings: If you’re planting fruit trees, shrubs, or other long-term plants, confirm your current zone first.
  • Plan for weather extremes: Even in warming climates, sudden cold snaps or heat events can still occur. Temporary protection can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts

Knowing your USDA growing zone is one of the simplest ways to garden with more confidence. It helps you choose plants that can survive winter, avoid unnecessary losses, and make smarter long-term decisions.

When you combine your growing zone with frost dates, microclimates, and basic seasonal planning, you move from guessing to gardening with intention—and that leads to healthier plants year after year.

You can also use our Seed Planting Calculator to plan your seasonal planting schedule.

FAQ About Growing Zones

What zone am I in?
Use the ZIP code tool on this page to find your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone (your growing zone). Your zone is based on average minimum winter temperatures and helps predict which plants can survive outdoors year after year.
What is a growing zone or plant hardiness zone?
A growing zone (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone) is a regional classification based on long-term averages of the coldest winter temperatures. It’s most useful for choosing perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines that need to survive winter outdoors.
How do I find my USDA zone by ZIP code?
Enter your 5-digit ZIP code in the tool on this page and select “Find My Zone.” Your result will show your USDA growing zone and subzone (for example, 7b or 9a).
What do subzones like 6a or 7b mean?
Each USDA zone is split into “a” and “b” subzones, representing a 5°F difference in typical winter minimum temperatures. For example, 6a is colder than 6b.
Is my growing zone the same as frost dates?
No. USDA zones describe winter cold and plant survival. Frost dates describe the length of your growing season and help determine when to plant. Use both together for the best results.