Introducing The Updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Choosing which plants to grow begins with knowing your growing zone! Also called the Planting Zone or Hardiness Zone. This allows you to choose the right plant for your area. Knowing your Zone and the Zone Range of your plant ensures it will survive the hottest summers and coldest winters that are typical in your area.

Introducing the USDA’s first updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map since 2012!

The Hardiness Zone Map
What A New Hardiness Zone Map Means For You
Other Hardiness Zone Change Reminders
Natural Weather and Climate Cycles
Time For An Update!

The Hardiness Zone Map

Ranging from zone 1, being the coldest, to zone 13 being the warmest, each zone is divided into half zones designated as ‘a’ and ‘b’. Plants are listed as being suited for a range of zones, and gardeners in Zone 6a can grow plants rated for Zone 6 in general. So if a plant's range is 3 - 7, a Zone 6 gardener should have success.

Remember that microclimates and elevation can also play a significant role in changing your zone ever so slightly.

To find your current zone, or see if your area has changed, enter your ZIP code on the Hardiness Zone map on the Nature Hills website, or at this link: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

The USDA website also has average temperature highs and lows and the ranges each growing zone typically experiences listed for you.

What A New Hardiness Zone Map Means For You

As of late, the US has experienced some milder winters across the nation, which means that some plants may be able to be grown a bit further north than they used to. Some areas are becoming more arid while others are experiencing increased rain/snow, plus stronger storm systems and temperature fluctuations.

The updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map is based on 30 years (1991 to 2020) of annual high and low averages throughout the year.

The new Hardiness Zone data, along with the addition of more temperature stations and better mapping techniques, shifted about half the country into a warmer half-zone. For example, those in zone 6a may shift into 6b, and those in zone 6b may shift into 7a.

A zone 6a at high altitudes may need to look for plants hardy in zone 5 instead. However, gardeners in zone 5b may now get away with planting some zone 6 plants as trends begin to shift slightly warmer!

Native plants naturally react to these gradual changes on their own, migrating to areas that are better suited for them because of the shift in temperatures. They bring with them their host of pollinators and wildlife that rely on them.

Other Hardiness Zone Change Reminders

Gardeners should recognize that many other environmental factors, in addition to hardiness zones, contribute to the success or failure of plants.

Plants need the proper amount of light. With the new Hardiness Zone changes, plants that require partial shade and are grown at the limits of your Hardiness Zone may be injured by too much sun during the winter because it might cause rapid changes in the plant’s internal temperature.

Soil moisture might vary seasonally, and new plants that might otherwise be hardy in your Zone may become too dry in late autumn in areas that have shifted slightly hotter or are becoming more arid in the winter. We do provide these important cultural tips on each of the plants that we sell.

Knowing this helps you prevent dormant plants from suffering moisture stress and heat stress.

It’s important to understand that previous weather records cannot provide a guaranteed forecast for future variations in weather.
Wind, soil type, soil moisture, humidity, pollution, snow, and winter sun can greatly affect the survival of plants.
Urban versus Suburban environments can also have subtle differences
Heat and moisture balance is important
Other factors include the way plants are situated in the landscape, how they are planted, and their size and health can also influence their survival.
Warmer or wetter conditions may allow new pests/invasive species that may not normally survive in your area, to suddenly gain a foothold.

Natural Weather and Climate Cycles

This gradual shift is simply part of the natural cycles of our planet. According to the USDA Climate Change Resource Center, major glacial (cold) and interglacial (warm) periods are caused by Milankovitch cycles (changes in Earth’s orbit around the Sun) and have occurred at varying intensities throughout periods ranging every 10,000 - 100,000 years.

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations may cause changes, as does warming or cooling caused by orbital changes every 1000 years. Solar radiation changes also affect the Earth’s surface temperatures.

There are also shorter cold/warm cycles that occur on approximately 200 - 1,500-year cycles, such as the Medieval Warm Period (900 - 1300 AD) and the Little Ice Age (1450 - 1900 AD).

Interannual to Decadal climate cycles, including the most well-known El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), last 9 to 12 months and can cause rainier/snowier years and drier years.

Other cycles can bring about drought, increased summer heat waves, flooding, and other unusual spikes of cold or heat, leading to record highs and lows.

Time For An Update!

For many of us, the new USDA Hardiness Zone map won’t impact our day-to-day lives much. But for a select few, the changes just might bump you into a growing zone that will allow you to grow that plant of your dreams! Or it might cause a favorite in your landscape to begin to struggle.

Reach out to your local County Extension Office for plenty of regional information and other local tips and tricks for your area! Plus, Nature Hills has #ProPlantTips for Care to help you install your new landscape additions perfectly!

Happy Planting!

Previous Next

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my updated USDA hardiness zone using my ZIP code or home address?

To find your updated USDA hardiness zone, simply enter your ZIP code into the hardiness zone lookup tool on the Nature Hills website or visit the official USDA map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. The updated map, released in late 2023 and based on 30 years of temperature data from 1991 to 2020, shifted roughly half the country into a warmer half-zone compared to the previous 2012 map. Keep in mind that local microclimates and elevation can affect your actual growing conditions, so a gardener at higher altitude may need to select plants rated one half-zone colder than their official designation. Look up your ZIP code today to confirm your current zone before selecting plants for the upcoming season.

How do I know which plant zone I live in and where to look it up?

To find your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, simply enter your ZIP code on the Nature Hills website or visit the official USDA map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. Zones range from 1 (coldest) to 13 (warmest), with each zone divided into half-zones designated "a" and "b" to reflect more precise temperature ranges. Keep in mind that the map was updated in 2023 using 30 years of temperature data from 1991 to 2020, so your zone may have shifted by a half-zone warmer compared to the previous 2012 map. Look up your ZIP code today and use your confirmed zone to confidently select plants rated for your area.

Can I still trust plants labeled for my old USDA zone, or should I shop by the updated zone now?

We recommend shopping by the updated 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone map, which reflects 30 years of temperature data from 1991 to 2020 and shifted roughly half the country into a warmer half-zone. For example, if you were previously in zone 6a, you may now fall into 6b, which means you could successfully grow some plants previously considered marginal for your area. Plants labeled for your old zone are still safe choices, but you may be leaving hardier or more interesting options on the table. Enter your ZIP code on the Nature Hills website or at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov to confirm your current zone before your next purchase.

How much does my USDA hardiness zone actually matter compared to my local first and last frost dates?

Both matter, but they serve different purposes. Your USDA hardiness zone, based on average annual extreme minimum temperatures, determines which perennials, trees, and shrubs will survive long-term in your area, while first and last frost dates guide your seasonal planting schedule for annuals and vegetables. A plant rated for zones 3 to 7 will reliably overwinter for a zone 6 gardener, but knowing your last spring frost date tells you when it is safe to transplant that tomato seedling outdoors. Use your hardiness zone to select permanent plants, then consult your local frost dates to plan your planting calendar throughout the season.

Which vegetables, herbs, and flowers should I start indoors or direct sow based on my updated zone?

The updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map helps you fine-tune your seed starting and direct sowing schedules, but specific crop timing depends on your individual zone's last frost date rather than the zone number alone. In warmer zones 8 through 13, cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and herbs such as cilantro and parsley can often be direct sown outdoors in late winter, while gardeners in zones 4 through 6 should start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant indoors 6 to 8 weeks before their last frost date. If your zone has shifted a half-zone warmer with the 2023 update, you may be able to start seeds indoors a week or two earlier or risk direct sowing heat-lovers like basil and zinnias slightly sooner than before. Enter your ZIP code into the Nature Hills Hardiness Zone finder to confirm your current zone, then use your updated last frost date as the anchor point for building your seed starting calendar.

Which perennials are most likely to survive winter now that my zone has shifted warmer or colder?

The USDA's 2023 Hardiness Zone update shifted roughly half the country by a half-zone warmer, meaning gardeners who were in zone 6a may now fall into 6b, opening the door to perennials previously considered marginal for their area. When selecting perennials, always choose plants rated for at least one full zone colder than your current zone to build in a buffer against unexpected cold snaps or temperature swings. Visit naturehills.com, enter your ZIP code to confirm your updated zone, and then filter perennial selections by that zone range to find proven survivors for your specific area.

Should I adjust my planting schedule now that my area falls into a different zone on the updated map?

Yes, if your area shifted into a warmer half-zone, such as moving from 6a to 6b or 6b to 7a, you may have more flexibility with plant selection and timing. Milder winters mean you might successfully overwinter plants that were previously too tender for your area, and you may be able to extend your growing season slightly on both ends. Check your updated zone by entering your ZIP code at naturehills.com or planthardiness.ars.usda.gov, then browse plants rated for your new zone to take full advantage of your updated growing conditions.

How should I change my watering, mulching, and winter protection routines for my new hardiness zone?

While the updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map reflects shifts in average winter low temperatures, it does not account for changes in rainfall, humidity, or seasonal timing, so your care routines may need some thoughtful adjustments. If your area has shifted into a warmer half-zone, such as from 6a to 6b, you may be able to reduce heavy winter mulching from 4-6 inches down to 2-3 inches for established plants, and delay wrapping tender shrubs until temperatures consistently drop below freezing. In areas trending more arid, plan to increase deep watering sessions during summer dry spells regardless of your zone change. Check your updated zone at naturehills.com, then review the specific care requirements for each plant in your garden to fine-tune your seasonal routines accordingly.

What trees, shrubs, and landscape plants does Nature Hills recommend for my zone after the USDA map update?

Nature Hills organizes its entire plant catalog by USDA Hardiness Zone, so finding the right trees, shrubs, and landscape plants for your updated zone is straightforward. Since roughly half the country shifted into a warmer half-zone with the 2012 update, you may now have access to a broader selection of plants than before, for example a gardener previously in zone 6b might now successfully grow selections rated for zone 7a. Enter your ZIP code in the Hardiness Zone finder on naturehills.com to confirm your current zone, then browse the site's zone-filtered catalog to discover which specific trees, shrubs, and perennials are recommended for your exact growing conditions.

How does the updated USDA zone map affect gardeners who live near a zone boundary?

Gardeners near a zone boundary may find their area has shifted into a warmer half-zone following the 2023 update, which is based on 30 years of temperature data from 1991 to 2020. For example, someone previously in zone 6a may now fall into 6b, or a gardener in 6b may shift into 7a, opening up new planting possibilities. However, those at higher elevations near a boundary may actually need to look one half-zone colder than their listed zone. Check your updated zone by entering your ZIP code at naturehills.com or planthardiness.ars.usda.gov, then browse plants rated for your new zone to take full advantage of what your climate can support.