5 planting zones in South Carolina with Map

South Carolina has 5 planting zones, ranging from 7b to 9b, according to the USDA’s latest 2023 plant hardiness zone map.

Zone 7b, the coolest, occupies a small area in the northwest, and zones 8a and 8b cover most of the state’s interior. Zones 9a and 9b are found along the South Carolina coast, with 9b limited to the southernmost coastal regions.

You can find your South Carolina planting zone by using our ZIP code tool or the South Carolina city planting zone map. Both tools, provided below in the post, will help you determine your exact USDA growing zone.

Search South Carolina Planting Zones by ZipCode

Planting Zones South Carolina Map

Select your South Carolina city from the selection box below. Kindly use top-right corner button in mapview to change and select layers.

5 planting zones in South Carolina

1. Zone 7b

Zone 7b, the coolest zone in South Carolina, is shown in dark purple color on our map covering small areas in the northwesternmost part of the state, particularly in higher elevation areas. This zone has average annual minimum temperatures between 5°F to 10°F (-15°C to -12.2°C).

2. Zone 8a

The dark teal colored area on our map, Zone 8a covers a large area of northern and northwestern South Carolina. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures between 10°F to 15°F (-12.2°C to -9.4°C). It covers most of the Upstate and Piedmont regions. Some cities in this zone are Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, and Anderson. The area is characterized by rolling hills and is home to many of the state’s major urban centers.

3. Zone 8b

Zone 8b, shown in a dak green color on the map, covers the largest area of South Carolina, from the central part of the state to areas of the coast. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 15°F to 20°F (-9.4°C to -6.7°C), this zone has a diverse range of landscapes. Major cities in this zone include Columbia (the state capital), Florence, Sumter, and Myrtle Beach. It covers most of the Midlands and extends into parts of the Pee Dee and Lowcountry regions.

4. Zone 9a

Represented by a light green color on our map above, Zone 9a mostly covers the southern and southeastern coastal areas of South Carolina. This warmer zone has average annual minimum temperatures between 20°F to 25°F (-6.7°C to -3.9°C). It includes most of the state’s famous coastal areas and islands. Some cities and areas in this zone are Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island. The zone is characterized by its coastal plains, marshes, and barrier islands, offering a subtropical climate ideal for many warm-weather plants.

5. Zone 9b

The warmest zone in South Carolina, 9b, is shown in yellow color on our map and covers only a small area at the southernmost tip of the state. With average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 25°F to 30°F (-3.9°C to -1.1°C), this zone offers the mildest winters in South Carolina. It includes parts of Hilton Head Island and Saint Helena Island. This zone is perfect for growing many tropical and subtropical plants that can’t survive in cooler parts of the state.

Planting Zones in South Carolina with Cities

USDA hardiness zones for South Carolina Cities, Towns and Counties. As per USDA (2023) latest release:

Planting Zones in South Carolina	Temp Range (°F)	Cities
8b	15 to 20	Aiken, Alcolu, Allendale, Anderson, Andrews, Aynor, Ballentine, Bamberg, Barnwell, Bath, Beech Island, Bishopville, Blackville, Blenheim, Bonneau, Bowman, Branchville, Brunson, Cades, Cameron, Canadys, Cayce, Centenary, Chapin, Clarks Hill, Clearwater, Clemson, Clio, Columbia, Conway, Coosawatchie, Cope, Cordesville, Cordova, Cottageville, Coward, Crocketville, Cross, Dalzell, Darlington, Davis Station, Denmark, Dillon, Dorchester, Early Branch, Eastover, Effingham, Ehrhardt, Elgin, Elko, Elliott, Elloree, Estill, Eutawville, Fairfax, Florence, Fork, Furman, Gable, Gadsden, Galivants Ferry, Garnett, Gaston, Georgetown, Gifford, Gilbert, Gloverville, Goose Creek, Graniteville, Greeleyville, Green Sea, Greenville, Greer, Gresham, Grover, Hamer, Hampton, Harleyville, Hartsville, Hemingway, Hilda, Holly Hill, Hopkins, Horatio, Huger, Irmo, Islandton, Jackson, Jamestown, Johnsonville, Kingstree, Ladson, Lake City, Lake View, Lamar, Lane, Langley, Latta, Lexington, Little River, Little Rock, Lodge, Longs, Loris, Luray, Lydia, Lynchburg, Manning, Marion, Martin, Mayesville, Mc Cormick, Miley, Modoc, Moncks Corner, Montmorenci, Mount Carmel, Mullins, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, Neeses, Nesmith, New Ellenton, New Zion, Newry, Nichols, North, North Augusta, North Myrtle Beach, Norway, Olanta, Olar, Orangeburg, Pamplico, Parksville, Pawleys Island, Pineland, Pineville, Pinewood, Pinopolis, Plum Branch, Rains, Reevesville, Rembert, Ridgeville, Round O, Rowesville, Ruffin, Russellville, Saint George, Saint Matthews, Saint Stephen, Salley, Salters, Santee, Sardinia, Scotia, Scranton, Sellers, Seneca, Shaw A F B, Smoaks, Society Hill, Springfield, State Park, Summerton, Summerville, Sumter, Swansea, Sycamore, Timmonsville, Townville, Turbeville, Ulmer, Vance, Varnville, Vaucluse, Wagener, Walterboro, Warrenville, Wedgefield, West Columbia, White Rock, Williams, Williston, Windsor, Yemassee
8a	10 to 15	Abbeville, Anderson, Arcadia, Batesburg, Belton, Bennettsville, Bethune, Blacksburg, Blackstock, Blair, Blythewood, Bowling Green, Bradley, Buffalo, Calhoun Falls, Camden, Campobello, Carlisle, Cassatt, Catawba, Central, Chappells, Cheraw, Chesnee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clemson, Cleveland, Clifton, Clinton, Clover, Conestee, Converse, Cowpens, Cross Anchor, Cross Hill, Donalds, Drayton, Due West, Duncan, Easley, Edgefield, Edgemoor, Enoree, Fair Play, Fairforest, Fingerville, Fort Lawn, Fort Mill, Fountain Inn, Gaffney, Gramling, Gray Court, Great Falls, Greenville, Greenwood, Greer, Heath Springs, Hickory Grove, Hodges, Honea Path, Inman, Iva, Jefferson, Jenkinsville, Joanna, Johnston, Jonesville, Kershaw, Kinards, La France, Lancaster, Lando, Landrum, Laurens, Leesville, Liberty, Liberty Hill, Little Mountain, Lockhart, Long Creek, Lowndesville, Lugoff, Lyman, Marietta, Mauldin, Mc Bee, Mc Coll, Mc Connells, Mc Cormick, Monetta, Moore, Mount Croghan, Mountain Rest, Mountville, Newberry, Ninety Six, Norris, Pacolet, Pacolet Mills, Pageland, Patrick, Pauline, Peak, Pelion, Pelzer, Pendleton, Pickens, Piedmont, Pomaria, Prosperity, Reidville, Richburg, Richland, Ridge Spring, Ridgeway, Rion, Rock Hill, Roebuck, Ruby, Salem, Saluda, Sandy Springs, Seneca, Sharon, Silverstreet, Simpsonville, Six Mile, Slater, Smyrna, Spartanburg, Starr, Startex, Sunset, Tamassee, Tatum, Taylors, Travelers Rest, Trenton, Troy, Una, Union, Van Wyck, Walhalla, Wallace, Ward, Ware Shoals, Waterloo, Wellford, West Union, Westminster, Westville, White Stone, Whitmire, Williamston, Winnsboro, Woodruff, York
9a	20 to 25	Adams Run, Awendaw, Beaufort, Bluffton, Charleston, Charleston Afb, Dale, Daufuskie Island, Edisto Island, Folly Beach, Green Pond, Hardeeville, Hilton Head Island, Hollywood, Isle Of Palms, Jacksonboro, Johns Island, Ladys Island, Lobeco, Mc Clellanville, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Okatie, Port Royal, Ravenel, Ridgeland, Seabrook, Sheldon, Sullivans Island, Tillman, Wadmalaw Island
9b	25 to 30	Hilton Head Island, Saint Helena Island

Best plants for South Carolina?

South Carolina’s climate supports a variety of plants across its five USDA growing zones (7b to 9b). Based on research and the “Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas,” which details over 3,200 plant species in the region, here are recommended plants for each zone:

1. Zone 7b: Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
2. Zone 8a: Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
3. Zone 8b: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
4. Zone 9a: Palmetto Palm (Sabal palmetto)
5. Zone 9b: Oleander (Nerium oleander)