New Hampshire have 7 planting zones, ranging from 3b to 6b, according to the USDA.
The zones progress from the coldest 3b in the highest elevations, through 4a and 4b in the northern regions, to 5a and 5b covering much of central New Hampshire. The southern areas fall into zone 6a, with a small pocket of 6b along the southeastern coast.
This zone distribution aligns with New Hampshire’s geography, transitioning from the White Mountains in the north to the coastal areas in the southeast.
You can find your New Hampshire planting zone by using our ZIP code tool or the New Hampshire city planting zone map. Both tools, provided below in the post, will help you determine your exact USDA growing zone.
Search New Hampshire Planting Zones by ZipCode
Planting Zones New Hampshire Map
Select your New Hampshire city in the selection box below. Please change map layers using top right corner button in mapview.
Planting Zones
Planting Zones
What are the 7 planting zones in New Hampshire?
1. Zone 3b
Zone 3b, the coldest zone in New Hampshire, is shown in dark purple color on our map above. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -35°F to -30°F (-37.2°C to -34.4°C), this zone represents the highest elevations in the state, such as the summit of Mount Washington.
2. Zone 4a
Shown by the purple colored areas on our map, Zone 4a is found in the northernmost part of New Hampshire. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -30°F and -25°F (-34.4°C to -31.7°C). Some cities in this zone are Colebrook, Pittsburg, and North Stratford, indicating its presence in the Great North Woods region.
3. Zone 4b
Zone 4b, shown in blue color shade on our map, extends across the northern regions of New Hampshire. With average annual minimum temperatures from -25°F to -20°F (-31.7°C to -28.9°C), this zone covers areas south of Zone 4a. Some cities in this zone include Berlin, Lancaster, and Littleton, representing the northern part of the White Mountains region.
4. Zone 5a
Shown in teal color on the map above, Zone 5a covers a large areas of central and western New Hampshire. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -20°F and -15°F (-28.9°C to -26.1°C). Cities include like Lebanon, Hanover, and North Conway, covering most of the Lakes Region and parts of the White Mountains.
5. Zone 5b
Zone 5b, shown in a dark green color on our map, spans across central New Hampshire and extends into some southern areas. With average annual minimum temperatures from -15°F to -10°F (-26.1°C to -23.3°C), this zone have cities like Concord, Keene, and Laconia, representing a transition between the colder northern regions and the milder southern parts of the state.
6. Zone 6a
The lightest green areas on our map, Zone 6a covers most of southern New Hampshire. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -10°F and -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C). Major cities in this zone are Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth, covering the most populous regions of the state and the Seacoast area.
7. Zone 6b
Zone 6b, the warmest zone in New Hampshire, is shown in yellow color on our map and appears only in a small area on the southeastern coast. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -5°F to 0°F (-20.6°C to -17.8°C), this zone represents the mildest climate in the state. The cities of Hampton Falls and Seabrook are located in this zone, benefiting from the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean.
Planting Zones in New Hampshire with Cities
USDA hardiness zones for New Hampshire Cities, Towns and Counties. Data Source: USDA (2023)
| Planting Zones in New Hampshire | Temp Range (°F) | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| 6a | -10 to -5 | Acworth, Alstead, Amherst, Antrim, Atkinson, Auburn, Barrington, Bedford, Bow, Brookline, Candia, Center Strafford, Chester, Chesterfield, Danville, Deerfield, Derry, Dover, Dublin, Dunbarton, Durham, East Candia, East Derry, East Hampstead, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Farmington, Fitzwilliam, Francestown, Fremont, Gilsum, Goffstown, Goshen, Greenfield, Greenland, Greenville, Hampstead, Hampton, Hancock, Harrisville, Hillsboro, Hollis, Hooksett, Hudson, Jaffrey, Kingston, Laconia, Lee, Lempster, Litchfield, Londonderry, Lyndeborough, Madbury, Manchester, Marlborough, Marlow, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Munsonville, Nashua, New Boston, New Castle, New Ipswich, Newfields, Newmarket, Newton, Newton Junction, North Hampton, North Salem, Northwood, Nottingham, Pelham, Peterborough, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rochester, Rollinsford, Rye, Rye Beach, Salem, Sandown, Somersworth, Spofford, Stoddard, Strafford, Stratham, Sullivan, Suncook, Temple, Troy, Washington, Weare, West Nottingham, Wilton, Winchester, Windham |
| 5a | -20 to -15 | Bartlett, Bath, Bethlehem, Bretton Woods, Campton, Canaan, Center Conway, Center Ossipee, Chocorua, Conway, Cornish Flat, Danbury, Eaton Center, Enfield, Enfield Center, Etna, Franconia, Freedom, Glen, Glencliff, Gorham, Grafton, Grantham, Guild, Hanover, Haverhill, Intervale, Jackson, Lebanon, Lincoln, Lisbon, Lyme, Lyme Center, Madison, Meriden, Newport, North Conway, North Haverhill, North Sandwich, North Woodstock, Orford, Piermont, Pike, Plainfield, Randolph, Rumney, Silver Lake, South Effingham, South Tamworth, Sugar Hill, Tamworth, Thornton, Warren, Waterville Valley, Wentworth, West Lebanon, West Ossipee, Wonalancet, Woodsville |
| 5b | -15 to -10 | Alton, Alton Bay, Andover, Ashland, Ashuelot, Barnstead, Belmont, Bennington, Bradford, Bristol, Canterbury, Center Barnstead, Center Harbor, Center Sandwich, Center Tuftonboro, Charlestown, Chichester, Claremont, Concord, Contoocook, Cornish, Drewsville, East Andover, East Wakefield, Elkins, Epsom, Franklin, Georges Mills, Gilford, Gilmanton, Gilmanton Iron Works, Hebron, Henniker, Hill, Hinsdale, Holderness, Kearsarge, Keene, Laconia, Lochmere, Loudon, Melvin Village, Meredith, Milton, Milton Mills, Mirror Lake, Moultonborough, New Durham, New Hampton, New London, Newbury, North Sutton, North Walpole, Ossipee, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Rindge, Salisbury, Sanbornton, Sanbornville, South Acworth, South Newbury, South Sutton, Springfield, Sunapee, Swanzey, Tilton, Union, Walpole, Warner, West Chesterfield, West Peterborough, West Swanzey, Westmoreland, Wilmot, Winnisquam, Wolfeboro, Wolfeboro Falls, Woodstock |
| 4b | -25 to -20 | Berlin, Errol, Groveton, Jefferson, Lancaster, Littleton, Milan, Monroe, Twin Mountain, Whitefield |
| 4a | -30 to -25 | Colebrook, Mount Washington, North Stratford, Pittsburg, West Stewartstown |
| 6b | -5 to 0 | Hampton Falls, Seabrook |
7 best plants for New Hampshire planting zones?
Based on the USDA latest planting map, here are seven plants well-suited to New Hampshire’s 7 planting zones:
- Zone 3b: Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) – Extremely cold-hardy perennial.
- Zone 4a: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) – Iconic tree known for fall foliage and syrup production.
- Zone 4b: Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Shrub with striking red stems in winter.
- Zone 5a: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) – Native evergreen tree adaptable to various conditions.
- Zone 5b: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Drought-tolerant perennial with bright yellow flowers.
- Zone 6a: Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) – Large shade tree with excellent fall color.
- Zone 6b: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Native perennial that attracts pollinators.