Cleveland, Ohio spans two USDA plant hardiness zones, 6b (-5°F to 0°F/-20.6°C to -17.8°C) and 7a (0°F to 5°F/-17.8°C to -15°C) according to 2023 USDA data.
Zone 6b occupies central and southern Cleveland, while Zone 7a prevails in northern lakeside areas. The distribution demonstrates Lake Erie’s temperature-moderating microclimate effects, particularly along waterfront regions.
You can pinpoint your Cleveland USDA zone using our three tools given below, Zipcode to planting zone tool, Easy interactive map or by using planting zone table.
Cleveland Planting Zones by ZipCode
Planting Zones Cleveland Map
Select or type your Cleveland location in the selection box below, to get its planting zone info. Toggle map view by using layers option, top right corner button in mapview.
City Name
Cleveland Area Planting Zone
Planting Zones
Planting Zones
Cleveland Planting Zones Table
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What are planting zones in Cleveland, Ohio?
1. Zone 6b
Zone 6b, shown in light green color on our map above, covers large part of Cleveland, Ohio. This zone has average annual minimum temperatures from -5°F to 0°F (-20.6°C to -17.8°C). It covers most central and southern city parts.
Some key zip codes in this zone include Mount Pleasant (44104), Slavic Village (44105), University Circle (44106), Forest Hills (44112), Cleveland Heights (44118), Middleburg Heights (44130), Brooklyn (44134), West Park (44135), Richmond Heights (44143), Old Brooklyn (44144), and Downtown Cleveland (44181).
2. Zone 7a
Zone 7a, shown in yellow color on our map, covers northern Cleveland parts, mainly areas near Lake Erie. This slightly warmer zone has average annual minimum temperatures between 0°F to 5°F (-17.8°C to -15°C). It includes neighborhoods along lakeshore and some central city areas.
Some notable zip codes in this zone are Downtown Cleveland (44101), Detroit-Shoreway (44102), Central (44103), Glenville (44108), Brooklyn Centre (44109), Collinwood (44110), Edgewater (44111), Tremont (44113), Warehouse District (44114), Goodrich-Kirtland Park (44115), Euclid-Green (44119), Fairview Park (44126), Kinsman (44127).
Change in Cleveland planting zones?
Cleveland’s planting zones have shifted to slightly warmer from 2012 to 2023. In 2012, Cleveland was mainly in Zone 6a and some areas in 6b. 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map now shows most of Cleveland in Zone 6b, with some areas along Lake Erie in Zone 7a. This represents warming of about 5°F in average annual minimum winter temperatures. This shift reflects the warming trends over past decade.
What is growing season for Cleveland?
Cleveland’s growing season is about 206 days long. Last spring frost typically occurs around mid-April (April 14), and first fall frost usually happens in early November. This provides growing window from mid-April to early November for most plants. Also, cold-hardy crops can be planted earlier in spring and some plants can extend into late fall with protection.
What are best plants for Cleveland, Ohio?
Some best plants for Cleveland’s climate are:
- Vegetables: Lettuce, peas, kale, tomatoes, peppers, and green beans
- Perennials: Coneflower, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, hostas, and peonies
- Trees and shrubs: Dogwoods, hydrangeas, lilacs, and native Ohio trees
- Native plants: Wild geranium, trout lily, butterfly weed, and goldenrod