USDA Planting Zone 5 with Map

USDA Zone 5 has average annual minimum winter temperatures of -20°F to -10°F (-28.9°C to -23.3°C), featuring cold winters with regular freezes and a moderate growing season from late April to early October.

The zone supports cold-hardy plants requiring winter dormancy, with a shorter growing season than warmer zones. Last spring frost typically occurs in late April to May, and first fall frost in late September to early October.

Geographically, USDA Zone 5 spans 26 states across the Northeast, Midwest, and Western United States. Zone 5 is divided into subzones 5a (-20°F to -15°F/-28.9°C to -26.1°C) and 5b (-15°F to -10°F/-26.1°C to -23.3°C), each with distinct climates.

Search USDA Planting Zones 5 by ZipCode

USDA Planting Zones 5 Map

Zone 5a

Zone 5a has an average annual minimum temperature range of -20°F to -15°F (-28.9°C to -26.1°C). This subzone experiences:

• Cold winters with regular freezing temperatures
• Warm summers
• A growing season typically lasting from May to September

Zone 5b

Zone 5b has a slightly warmer temperature range of -15°F to -10°F (-26.1°C to -23.3°C). This subzone offers:

• Cold winters but slightly milder than 5a
• Warm summers
• A growing season typically lasting from late April to early October

What are the States of USDA Zone 5?

USDA Zone 5 spans 26 states across the Northeast, Midwest, and Western United States, all listed below.

1. Arizona

Arizona’s Zone 5, a small northern region with higher elevations, is known for its cooler climate, divided into sub-zones 5a and 5b. While no cities are located in the chillier Zone 5a (where winter temps can drop to -20°F), Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes areas like Bellemont (zip code 86015). This zone is ideal for cold-hardy plants and offers a unique contrast to Arizona’s typically warmer landscapes.

2. California

Zone 5 is limited to pockets of the Sierra Nevada mountains. While no cities fall into the colder Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F), Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes areas like Lakeshore (zip code 93634). These high-elevation regions support cold-hardy plants, contrasting with California’s typically mild climate.

3. Colorado

Zone 5 spans much of the state, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering high-elevation mountain towns like Aspen (81611, 81612), Breckenridge (80424), and Leadville (80461). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes Front Range cities such as Colorado Springs (80908, 80919), Fort Collins (80521-80528), and Steamboat Springs (80487). This zone supports diverse growing conditions, from rugged alpine areas to lower plains. Notable communities like Evergreen (80437) and Woodland Park (80863) also thrive here.

4. Idaho

Zone 5 spans the state, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering high-elevation areas like McCall (83638), Rexburg (83440), and Victor (83455). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes valley regions such as Idaho Falls (83401-83406), Ketchum (83340), and Sun Valley (83353). Notable mountain communities like Stanley (83278) thrive in these colder zones, ideal for hardy crops and alpine gardening.

5. Illinois

Zone 5 focuses on northern regions, where Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes northwestern towns like Galena (61036), Freeport (61032), and Savanna (61074). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) covers Chicago’s colder suburbs, such as Barrington (60010), Crystal Lake (60012), and Schaumburg (60159). Nearby communities like Algonquin (60102) and Antioch (60002) also fall into this zone, balancing urban convenience with frost-tolerant gardening.

6. Indiana

Zone 5 in Indiana is limited to Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F), found in the state’s northwestern corner. Major areas include Crawfordsville (47933), Crown Point (46307), and Knox (46534), with smaller communities like Cedar Lake (46303) and Hebron (46341) also falling into this zone. Unlike neighboring states, Indiana has no cities in the colder Zone 5a.

7. Iowa

Zone 5 spans much of Iowa, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering central regions like Atlantic (50022), Boone (50036), and Marshalltown (50158). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes southern cities such as Ames (50010), Ankeny (50021), and Grimes (50111). Smaller towns like Alden (50006) in Zone 5a and Carlisle (50047) in Zone 5b highlight the state’s mix of rural and suburban cold-hardy growing

8. Maine

Zone 5 covers much of the state, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) dominating the interior, including cities like Bangor (04401), Bethel (04217), and Rumford (04276). Coastal southern areas fall into Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F), such as Auburn (04210), Biddeford (04005), and Brunswick (04011). Smaller towns like Bridgton (04009) and Naples (04055) in Zone 5a, and Kennebunk (04043) in Zone 5b, reflect Maine’s mix of rugged inland and milder coastal climates.

9. Massachusetts

Zone 5 is limited to Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) in western and north-central regions. Key areas include Pittsfield (01201) in the Berkshires, Gardner (01440), and North Adams (01247). Nearby communities like Lenox (01240) and Stockbridge (01262) in the Berkshires, along with Ashfield (01330) and Winchendon (01475), showcase the state’s colder pockets ideal for frost-tolerant gardening.

10. Michigan

Zone 5 spans the central Lower Peninsula. Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes northern towns like Cadillac (49601), Houghton Lake (48629), and West Branch (48661). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) covers central areas such as Clare (48617), Gladwin (48624), and Oscoda (48750). Smaller communities like Mio (48647) in Zone 5a and Standish (48658) in Zone 5b highlight Michigan’s diverse cold-weather growing zones.

11. Minnesota

Zone 5 in Minnesota is limited to Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F), concentrated in the southeastern Twin Cities metro area. Major cities include Saint Paul (55101-55130), the state capital, Inver Grove Heights (55076), and Stillwater (55083). Nearby communities like Afton (55001) and Farmington (55024) also fall into this zone. Minnesota lacks Zone 5b, making its southeastern region the state’s primary cold-hardy growing area.

12. Missouri

Zone 5 is restricted to Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) in the far north near the Iowa border. Key cities include Maryville (64468), Princeton (64673), and Rock Port (64482), with smaller towns like Grant City (64456) and Sheridan (64486) also part of this zone. Missouri has no cities in the colder Zone 5a, limiting its coldest gardening region to these northern pockets.

13. Montana

Zone 5 spans diverse regions, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering south-central areas like Billings (59101), the state’s largest city, Helena (59620), the capital, and Livingston (59047). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes western valleys such as Missoula (59801), Kalispell (59901), and Hamilton (59840). Mountain towns like Red Lodge (59068) in Zone 5a and Stevensville (59870) in Zone 5b highlight Montana’s mix of rugged and valley climates suited for cold-tolerant plants.

14. Nebraska

Zone 5 spans much of the state, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering northern and western regions like Alliance (69301), Chadron (69337), and Scottsbluff (69361). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes central and eastern cities such as Lincoln (68501-68532), Kearney (68847), and Bellevue (68005). Smaller towns like Valentine (69201) in Zone 5a and North Platte (69101) in Zone 5b reflect Nebraska’s mix of agricultural and urban cold-hardy zones.

15. Nevada

Zone 5 is limited to high-elevation areas, primarily in the northeast. Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes Elko (89801) and Ely (89315), while Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) covers Spring Creek (89815) and communities like Carlin (89822) and Eureka (89316). These regions contrast sharply with Nevada’s typical desert climate, supporting alpine vegetation.

16. New Hampshire

Zone 5 dominates central and northern areas. Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes mountain towns like Hanover (03755), Lincoln (03251), and Bethlehem (03574). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) covers southern hubs such as Concord (03301), Claremont (03743), and Laconia (03246), along with lakeside communities like Wolfeboro (03894). These zones balance New Hampshire’s snowy winters with hardy gardening opportunities.

17. New Mexico

Zone 5 is rare and confined to high-elevation pockets. Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes only a few communities like Costilla (87524). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) features mountain towns such as Chama (87520) and El Prado (87529), along with remote areas like Pie Town (87827) and Arroyo Seco (87514), offering unique growing conditions in an otherwise arid state.

18. New York

Zone 5 spans the state’s colder regions, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering the Adirondack Mountains and northern areas like Lake Placid (12946), Saranac Lake (12983), and Plattsburgh (12901). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes central and western towns such as Cooperstown (13326), Cortland (13045), and Watertown (13601), along with mountain communities like Ellicottville (14731). These zones highlight New York’s mix of alpine and rural climates suited for cold-tolerant gardening.

19. Oregon

Zone 5 is rare and limited to high-elevation areas like the Wallowa Mountains. Only Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) has a notable community: Seneca (97873). This isolated region contrasts with Oregon’s typically mild coastal and valley climates.

20. Pennsylvania

Zone 5 focuses on Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) in the Allegheny Mountains and Northern Tier. Key areas include Bradford (16701), Coudersport (16915), and Kane (16735), with smaller towns like Galeton (16922) and Smethport (16749). Pennsylvania lacks populated areas in Zone 5a, limiting its coldest growing zones to these northern pockets.

21. South Dakota

Zone 5 includes Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) in southeastern towns like Brandon (57005), Mitchell (57301), and Yankton (57078). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) covers the Black Hills region, including Rapid City (57701) and Spearfish (57783). These zones reflect South Dakota’s contrast between prairie plains and rugged mountain climates.

22. Utah

Zone 5 is limited to high-elevation areas like the Uinta Mountains and Wasatch Range. Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes small communities such as Garden City (84028) and Woodruff (84086). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) covers towns like Coalville (84017) and Kamas (84036), along with remote areas such as Dutch John (84023) and Fairview (84629). These zones support hardy plants in Utah’s otherwise arid and mountainous terrain.

23. Vermont

Zone 5 spans the state, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering central and northern regions like Montpelier (05602) (the capital), Barre (05641), and Stowe (05672). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes southern areas and the Lake Champlain Valley, such as Burlington (05401), Rutland (05701), and Essex Junction (05452). Communities like Manchester Center (05255) highlight Vermont’s mix of rural charm and cold-weather gardening.

24. West Virginia

Zone 5 is restricted to Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) in high-elevation areas like the Allegheny Mountains. Notable communities include Bartow (24920), Green Bank (24944), and Harman (26270). These mountainous regions, with their cooler microclimates, contrast with West Virginia’s typically temperate valleys.

25. Wisconsin

Zone 5 splits the state, with Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) covering central/northern areas like Ashland (54806), Stevens Point (54481), and Prairie Du Chien (53821). Zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F) includes southern cities such as Brookfield (53008), Kenosha (53142), and Racine (53401), along with lakeside towns like Port Washington (53074). These zones reflect Wisconsin’s transition from northern forests to milder southern climates.

26. Wyoming

Zone 5 is found in high-elevation regions like the Bighorn Mountains and Wind River Range. Zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F) includes cities such as Buffalo (82834), Casper (82601), and Sheridan (82801), along with smaller communities like Centennial (82055) and Big Horn (82833). Wyoming has no populated areas in Zone 5b, making its coldest gardening zones concentrated in these rugged, high-altitude areas.