5 planting zones in Alabama with Map

There are 5 planting zones in Alabama, ranging from 7b to 9b according to the USDA’s latest official data.

Zone 7b, the coldest, is found in the northern mountainous regions, while zones 8a and 8b cover much of the central part of the state. Zone 9a appears in the southern regions, and Zone 9b, the warmest, is limited to a small coastal area.

You can find your specific USDA planting zone in Alabama using either our ZIP code-based search tool or our city-based interactive Alabama planting zone map, both provided below.

Search Alabama Planting Zones by ZipCode

Planting Zones Alabama Map

Select your city name from the section box given below. Please change map view selecting layers from top right corner button in mapview.

What are the 5 planting zones in Alabama?

1. Zone 7b

Zone 7b, shown in purple color on our map above, covers the northernmost part of Alabama. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 5°F to 10°F (-15°C to -12.2°C). It primarily covers the mountainous regions of the state, including parts of the Appalachian foothills. Some of the cities in this zone are Fort Payne, Bryant and Scottsboro. The zone is characterized by its slightly cooler climate compared to the rest of the state, making it suitable for plants that require a bit more winter chill.

2. Zone 8a

Represented by the blue color on the map, Zone 8a covers much of northern and central Alabama. This zone has average annual minimum temperatures between 10°F to 15°F (-12.2°C to -9.4°C). It includes major urban areas such as Birmingham, Huntsville, and some parts of Tuscaloosa. The zone extends from the northern border, excluding the mountainous regions, down through the central part of the state, covering range of landscapes from rolling hills to parts of the Piedmont region.

3. Zone 8b

Zone 8b, shown in dark green color on our map, covers the central and southern portions of Alabama. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 15°F to 20°F (-9.4°C to -6.7°C), this zone represents a transition to the warmer southern climate. It includes cities like Montgomery, Auburn, and Selma. This zone covers state’s Black Belt region and extends to parts of the Coastal Plain, offering a climate suitable for a wide variety of plants that prefer milder winters.

4. Zone 9a

The light green color area on our map, Zone 9a covers the southernmost part of Alabama, excluding the coastal areas. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between 20°F to 25°F (-6.7°C to -3.9°C). It have cities such as Mobile, Dothan, and Gulf Shores. The zone is characterized by its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, which moderates temperatures and increases humidity, making it ideal for plants that thrive in warmer, more tropical-like conditions.

5. Zone 9b

Zone 9b, represented by the yellow color on the map, is the warmest planting zone in Alabama and covers only a small area at the very southern tip of the state. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 25°F to 30°F (-3.9°C to -1.1°C), this zone is limited to Dauphin Island and some other coastal areas. This zone offers the mildest winters in Alabama, allowing for the cultivation of more heat-loving and tropical plants that can’t survive in cooler parts of the state.

Planting Zones in Alabama with Cities

USDA Hardiness Zones for Alabama cities, towns and counties. Source of data: USDA -2023

Planting Zones in Alabama	Temp Range (°F)	Cities
8a	10 to 15	Abernant, Adamsville, Adger, Albertville, Alexander City, Alexandria, Allgood, Alpine, Alton, Altoona, Anniston, Arab, Arley, Ashland, Ashville, Athens, Attalla, Baileyton, Bankston, Belk, Belle Mina, Berry, Bessemer, Birmingham, Blountsville, Boaz, Bon Air, Bremen, Brent, Brierfield, Brookside, Brownsboro, Burnwell, Bynum, Camp Hill, Capshaw, Carbon Hill, Carrollton, Cedar Bluff, Centre, Centreville, Childersburg, Choccolocco, Clanton, Clay, Cleveland, Collinsville, Cook Springs, Cordova, Courtland, Cragford, Crane Hill, Cropwell, Crossville, Cullman, Cusseta, Dadeville, Danville, Daviston, Dawson, De Armanville, Decatur, Delmar, Delta, Docena, Dolomite, Dora, Douglas, Dutton, Eastaboga, Echola, Edwardsville, Eldridge, Elrod, Empire, Equality, Ethelsville, Eva, Falkville, Fayette, Five Points, Florence, Fort Payne, Fruithurst, Fultondale, Fyffe, Gadsden, Gallant, Garden City, Gardendale, Gaylesville, Geraldine, Goodsprings, Goodwater, Gordo, Graham, Grant, Graysville, Groveoak, Guntersville, Gurley, Hanceville, Harpersville, Hartselle, Harvest, Hayden, Heflin, Helena, Hillsboro, Hollins, Holly Pond, Horton, Houston, Huntsville, Jacksons Gap, Jacksonville, Jasper, Joppa, Kansas, Kellyton, Kennedy, Kent, Killen, Kimberly, Laceys Spring, Lafayette, Lanett, Langston, Lawley, Leeds, Leesburg, Leighton, Lincoln, Lineville, Locust Fork, Madison, Margaret, Mc Shan, Meridianville, Millerville, Millport, Moody, Mooresville, Morris, Moulton, Mount Hope, Mount Olive, Mulga, Munford, Muscadine, Muscle Shoals, Nauvoo, New Castle, New Hope, Normal, Northport, Oakman, Odenville, Ohatchee, Oneonta, Opelika, Owens Cross Roads, Oxford, Paint Rock, Palmerdale, Parrish, Pell City, Phil Campbell, Piedmont, Pinson, Quinton, Ragland, Rainbow City, Rainsville, Ranburne, Randolph, Reform, Remlap, Riverside, Roanoke, Rockford, Rogersville, Russellville, Ryland, Samantha, Sayre, Scottsboro, Section, Sheffield, Shelby, Sipsey, Somerville, Spring Garden, Springville, Spruce Pine, Steele, Sterrett, Sulligent, Sumiton, Sycamore, Sylacauga, Talladega, Tanner, Thorsby, Town Creek, Townley, Trafford, Trenton, Trinity, Trussville, Tuscaloosa, Tuscumbia, Union Grove, Valhermoso Springs, Vandiver, Vernon, Vincent, Vinemont, Wadley, Walnut Grove, Warrior, Watson, Wattsville, Waverly, Weaver, Wedowee, Wellington, Weogufka, West Blocton, Westover, Wilsonville, Wilton, Woodland, Woodville
8b	15 to 20	Abbeville, Akron, Alabaster, Alberta, Aliceville, Andalusia, Ariton, Arlington, Atmore, Auburn, Auburn University, Autaugaville, Axis, Banks, Beatrice, Bellamy, Bellwood, Bessemer, Billingsley, Birmingham, Black, Boligee, Booth, Boykin, Brantley, Brewton, Brooklyn, Brookwood, Brundidge, Bucks, Buhl, Butler, Calera, Calvert, Camden, Campbell, Castleberry, Catherine, Cecil, Chancellor, Chapman, Chatom, Chelsea, Chunchula, Citronelle, Clayton, Clinton, Clio, Clopton, Coaling, Coffee Springs, Coffeeville, Coker, Columbiana, Coosada, Cottondale, Cottonton, Coy, Creola, Cuba, Daleville, Deatsville, Deer Park, Demopolis, Dickinson, Dixons Mills, Dozier, Duncanville, East Tallassee, Eclectic, Elba, Elmore, Emelle, Enterprise, Epes, Eufaula, Eutaw, Evergreen, Excel, Fairfield, Faunsdale, Fitzpatrick, Flomaton, Florala, Forest Home, Forkland, Fort Davis, Fort Deposit, Fort Mitchell, Fort Rucker, Fosters, Franklin, Frankville, Frisco City, Fruitdale, Fulton, Furman, Gainestown, Gainesville, Gallion, Geneva, Georgiana, Gilbertown, Glenwood, Goodway, Goshen, Grady, Green Pond, Greensboro, Greenville, Grove Hill, Hardaway, Hartford, Hatchechubbee, Hayneville, Highland Home, Holy Trinity, Honoraville, Hope Hull, Hurtsboro, Huxford, Jachin, Jack, Jackson, Jefferson, Jemison, Jones, Kinston, Knoxville, Lapine, Lenox, Leroy, Letohatchee, Linden, Lisman, Little River, Livingston, Loachapoka, Louisville, Lower Peach Tree, Lowndesboro, Luverne, Magnolia, Malcolm, Maplesville, Marbury, Marion, Marion Junction, Mathews, Maylene, Mc Calla, Mc Intosh, Mc Kenzie, Mc Williams, Megargel, Melvin, Mexia, Midway, Millbrook, Millry, Minter, Monroeville, Montevallo, Montgomery, Moundville, Mount Meigs, Mount Vernon, Myrtlewood, Nanafalia, Needham, New Brockton, Newbern, Newton, Newville, Northport, Notasulga, Oak Hill, Opelika, Opp, Orrville, Ozark, Panola, Pelham, Pennington, Perdido, Perdue Hill, Perote, Peterman, Peterson, Petrey, Phenix City, Pike Road, Pine Apple, Pine Hill, Pine Level, Pittsview, Plantersville, Pleasant Grove, Prattville, Ralph, Ramer, Range, Red Level, Repton, River Falls, Rutledge, Safford, Saginaw, Saint Stephens, Salem, Samson, Sardis, Satsuma, Sawyerville, Seale, Selma, Shannon, Shorter, Shorterville, Silas, Siluria, Skipperville, Smiths, Stanton, Stockton, Sunflower, Sweet Water, Tallassee, Thomaston, Thomasville, Tibbie, Titus, Toxey, Troy, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee, Tuskegee Institute, Tyler, Union Springs, Uniontown, Uriah, Valley, Vance, Verbena, Vinegar Bend, Vredenburgh, Wagarville, Ward, West Greene, Wetumpka, Whatley, Wing, Woodstock, York
7b	5 to 10	Addison, Anderson, Ardmore, Bear Creek, Beaverton, Bridgeport, Brilliant, Bryant, Cherokee, Cloverdale, Detroit, Double Springs, Elkmont, Estillfork, Fackler, Flat Rock, Florence, Fort Payne, Glen Allen, Guin, Hackleburg, Haleyville, Hamilton, Hazel Green, Henagar, Higdon, Hodges, Hollytree, Hollywood, Ider, Lester, Lexington, Logan, Lynn, Mentone, Natural Bridge, New Market, Pisgah, Princeton, Red Bay, Russellville, Scottsboro, Stevenson, Sylvania, Toney, Valley Head, Vina, Waterloo, Winfield
9a	20 to 25	Ashford, Atmore, Bay Minette, Bayou La Batre, Bon Secour, Coden, Columbia, Cottonwood, Cowarts, Daphne, Dothan, Eight Mile, Elberta, Fairhope, Foley, Gordon, Grand Bay, Gulf Shores, Headland, Irvington, Lillian, Lockhart, Loxley, Magnolia Springs, Midland City, Mobile, Montrose, Orange Beach, Pansey, Pinckard, Point Clear, Robertsdale, Saint Elmo, Saraland, Seminole, Semmes, Silverhill, Slocomb, Spanish Fort, Stapleton, Summerdale, Theodore, Webb, Wilmer
9b	25 to 30	Dauphin Island

5 Best Plants for Alabama?

The state of Alabama spans 5 hardiness zones, some of the best plants for each zone are:

• Zone 7b: Camellia
• Zone 8a: Hosta
• Zone 8b: Coneflower
• Zone 9a: Oleander
• Zone 9b: St Augustinegrass

These plants are well-suited for their respective hardiness zones and can thrive in Alabamas climate.