Atlanta, Georgia has two USDA planting zones (8a and 8b) based on latest 2023 USDA data, determined by its Piedmont region geography, topography, and humid subtropical climate. Zone 8a experiences average annual minimum temperatures of 10°F to 15°F (-12.2°C to -9.4°C), while Zone 8b ranges from 15°F to 20°F (-9.4°C to -6.7°C).
You can pinpoint your Atlanta USDA zone using our three tools given below, Zipcode to planting zone tool, Easy interactive map or by using planting zone table.
Atlanta Planting Zones by ZipCode
Planting Zones Atlanta Map
Select or type your Atlanta location in the selection box below, to find its USDA Planting Zone info. Use the layer button to on/off layers, top right corner button in mapview.
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Atlanta Area Planting Zone
Planting Zones
Planting Zones
Atlanta Planting Zones Table
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Planting zones in Atlanta, Georgia
1. Zone 8a
Atlanta’s Zone 8a dominance stems from its Piedmont region geography, where 738–1,050 ft (225–320 m) elevation moderates winter lows to 10°F–15°F (-12.2°C–-9.4°C). This elevation range, combined with rolling topography, fosters microclimates ideal for zone-specific plants.
Red clay soil, formed over millennia by crystalline rock weathering under Atlanta’s humid subtropical climate, retains moisture but challenges drainage—shaping plant selection.
The urban heat island effect amplifies temperatures by 2°F–5°F (1°C–3°C) in core areas like Downtown (30301), Midtown (30309), and Buckhead (30305, 30327), extending growing seasons. These warmer pockets allow species like camellias and figs to thrive where rural zones might limit them.
2. Zone 8b
Zone 8b (shown in green) appears in Atlanta’s southern/southeastern areas due to lower elevations and proximity to Gulf/Atlantic airflows, maintaining 15°F–20°F (-9.4°C–-6.7°C) winter lows. The region’s gradual slope toward the Coastal Plain and urban heat islands—like Downtown (30304) and Atlanta Airport (30321)—amplify warmth through heat-absorbing infrastructure, especially during winter nights.
Water bodies such as the Chattahoochee River stabilize temperatures and humidity, while the Eastern Continental Divide shapes airflow and rainfall patterns. These factors create microclimates suitable for plants like southern magnolias and citrus trees, which benefit from the zone’s milder winters.
Key Zone 8b locations include College Park (30337), East Point (30348), and Forest Park (30364), where elevation gradients and urban development interact to sustain Atlanta’s warmest planting pockets. The zone remains less common within city limits but expands toward southeastern suburbs.
Plants for Atlanta Planting Zones
Atlanta lost 13.51% of urban tree species (Lanza & Stone, 2016) due to climate-driven hardiness zone shifts, requiring resilient plants for heat management. Three adaptive categories stand out:
- Native species like drought-tolerant switchgrass and erosion-controlling Bermudagrass, with switchgrass proving effective in chemically enhanced soil detoxification
- Adaptable non-natives such as heat-resistant Aloe vera and moisture-tolerant largeleaf pennywort
- Southeastern U.S. climate-adapted species evolved for regional humidity and temperature extremes
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) offers dual benefits: surviving urban heat islands while extracting heavy metals from contaminated soils through specialized phytoremediation processes. This aligns with Atlanta’s need for multifunctional greenery in warming microclimates.