Wilmington, North Carolina falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, covering the entire city and surrounding regions. Zone 8b experiences average annual minimum temperatures of 15°F to 20°F (-9.4°C to -6.7°C).
The coastal location in southeastern North Carolina moderates winter cold, enabling year-round cultivation of heat-tolerant plants like citrus and camellias. 12 zip codes (28401–28412) uniformly fall under Zone 8b, ensuring consistent growing conditions across Wilmington.
Pinpoint your precise planting zone using our three tools: a zipcode to planting zone tool, an interactive map, or using planting zones table.
Wilmington, NC, Planting Zones by ZipCode
Wilmington, NC, Planting zone map
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Wilmington Planting Zones Table
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What is the planting zone for Wilmington, North Carolina?
Zone 8b
Wilmington, North Carolina falls entirely within USDA Hardiness Zone 8b represented by a light green color on our map given above. The moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean helps maintain milder winter temperatures compared to inland areas of the state.
This climate allows for an extended growing season and the cultivation of many warm-season plants that might not survive in cooler zones.
What is the growing season in Wilmington, NC?
Wilmington, NC has a long growing season due to its coastal location and usually lasts from mid-March to mid-November, spanning approximately 240-260 days. The average last frost date falls between March 21-31, while the average first frost date occurs around November 11-20. This extended frost-free period allows for a wide variety of plants to be grown throughout the year.
Which plants perform better in Wilmington, NC?
Plants that thrive in Wilmington, NC are well-adapted to USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, which experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers. Some plants that perform exceptionally well in this climate include:
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), which thrives in Wilmington’s full sun and heat, offering vibrant summer blooms. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) flourish in the area’s acidic soils and partial shade, and Camellias (Camellia japonica and C. sasanqua) bloom beautifully in winter and early spring. Native plants such as yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) are well-adapted to local conditions.
For perennials, black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), and salvias perform well in Wilmington’s climate. Warm-season grasses like muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) also thrive. These plants generally require minimal maintenance once established and can withstand the region’s heat and humidity.