16 USDA planting zones in Alaska with Map

Alaska have 16 USDA planting zones, ranging from zone 1a to 8b, according to the latest official USDA data released in 2023.

Zone 1a, the coldest, covers the northernmost parts including the North Slope Borough, while zone 8b, the warmest, is found in the southernmost tip of the Alaska Panhandle.

The zones changes gradually southward, with the interior Alaska generally colder than coastal areas at similar latitudes. Major cities like Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau fall into different planting zones, showing the state’s climatic diversity.

You can find your Alaska’s USDA Planting Zone using our interactive map given below, just select or type your city,town or place in the selection box below.

Planting Zones Alaska Map

Please select or type your Alaska’s city/town name in the selection box below. You change map view by using layers option, top right corner button in mapview.

What are the 16 planting zones in Alaska?

1. Zone 1a

Zone 1a, shown in the darkest purple color on our map, covers the northernmost parts of Alaska, including the North Slope Borough. With average annual minimum temperatures below -60°F (-51.1°C), this zone have the harshest growing conditions in the state. Some cities in this zone are Barrow and Nome.

2. Zone 1b

Shown in a dark shade of blue color on our map above, Zone 1b have areas just south of Zone 1a, including parts of the Northwest Arctic Borough. This zone have average annual minimum temperatures between -55°F to -50°F (-48.3°C to -45.6°C). Kotzebue is a notable city within this zone.

3. Zone 2a

Zone 2a, shown by a deep blue color, covers a large area of interior Alaska. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -50°F to -45°F (-45.6°C to -42.8°C), it includes the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Fairbanks is example of a key city in this zone.

4. Zone 2b

The light blue colored areas on our map, Zone 2b extends across central Alaska. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -45°F to -40°F (-42.8°C to -40°C). Eagle is an important town located within this zone.

5. Zone 3a

Zone 3a, shown in a pale blue color on the map, covers parts of western and south-central Alaska. With average annual minimum temperatures from -40°F to -35°F (-40°C to -37.2°C), it have areas like the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. McGrath is a notable settlement in this zone.

6. Zone 3b

Shown by a greenish-blue hue on our map, Zone 3b covers parts of south-central Alaska, including portions of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. This zone have average annual minimum temperatures between -35°F to -30°F (-37.2°C to -34.4°C). Palmer city lies within this zone.

7. Zone 4a

Shown in a light green color, Zone 4a covers areas around Cook Inlet and parts of the Kenai Peninsula. With average annual minimum temperatures from -30°F to -25°F (-34.4°C to -31.7°C), it includes the Anchorage Municipality, and Anchorage is the primary city in this zone.

8. Zone 4b

The brighter green colored areas on our map, Zone 4b extends across parts of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and southern coastal areas. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -25°F to -20°F (-31.7°C to -28.9°C). The Mat-Su Valley is example of key region within this zone.

9. Zone 5a

Zone 5a, shown in a yellowish-green color, covers parts of the southern coast and some islands. With average annual minimum temperatures from -20°F to -15°F (-28.9°C to -26.1°C), it includes areas like the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Seward city.

10. Zone 5b

The greenish-yellow colored areas on our map, Zone 5b covers coastal areas in south-central Alaska. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -15°F to -10°F (-26.1°C to -23.3°C) and Homer is a key city located within this zone.

11. Zone 6a

Zone 6a, shown in dull yellow color on our map above, covers parts of the southern coast and some islands in the Gulf of Alaska. With average annual minimum temperatures from -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C), it includes areas like Prince William Sound and Valdez city.

12. Zone 6b

The yellowish-orange colored areas on our map above, Zone 6b extends across parts of south-central Alaska and some coastal areas. This zone have average annual minimum temperatures between -5°F to 0°F (-20.6°C to -17.8°C) and Glennallen is a notable town within this zone.

13. Zone 7a

Zone 7a, shown in a reddish-orange color, covers parts of southeastern Alaska, including some of the Inside Passage. With average annual minimum temperatures from 0°F to 5°F (-17.8°C to -15°C), it includes areas of the Alaska Panhandle. Juneau, the state capital, is located in this zone.

14. Zone 7b

The brighter red hue areas on our map, Zone 7b covers coastal areas of southeastern Alaska. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between 5°F to 10°F (-15°C to -12.2°C) and Sitka is a key city in this zone.

15. Zone 8a

Zone 8a, shown in a deep red color on our map, covers the southernmost coastal areas of southeastern Alaska. With average annual minimum temperatures from 10°F to 15°F (-12.2°C to -9.4°C), it includes parts of the Alexander Archipelago and Ketchikan is an important city in this zone.

16. Zone 8b

The warmest zone in Alaska, 8b, is shown in the darkest red on the map. It covers the extreme southern tip of the Alaska Panhandle. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between 15°F to 20°F (-9.4°C to -6.7°C) and Petersburg is a notable town located within this zone.

Does Alaska have all the USDA zones?

No, Alaska does not have all the USDA plant hardiness zones. Based on the USDA temperature zones map, Alaska have zones 1a to 8b. The state’s vast size and geography result in a wide range of climate conditions, but it does not include the warmest USDA zones (9-13) found in more southern parts of the United States.