USDA zone 8 Map with its 25 states

USDA Zone 8 has average annual minimum winter temperatures of 10°F to 20°F (-12.2°C to -6.7°C), with mild winters, regular light freezes, and a 212- to 227-day growing season from late March or early April to early November.

Geographically, Zone 8 spans regions like the southeastern United States (e.g., Texas, Georgia), the Pacific Northwest (e.g., Washington, Oregon), and the southwestern United States (e.g., Arizona, New Mexico).

Zone 8 supports many plant species, including subtropical varieties like citrus trees and camellias, ideal for diverse crops and ornamental gardening. The last spring frost comes on Apr 3 in 8a and Mar 25 in 8b, and the first fall frost on Nov 1 in 8a and Nov 7 in 8b (median dates).

Search USDA Zone 8 by ZipCode

USDA Planting Zone 8 Map

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Zone 8 is divided into subzones 8a and 8b, each with specific temperature ranges and growing conditions.

Zone 8a

USDA Zone 8a has average annual minimum winter temperatures of 10°F to 15°F (-12.2°C to -9.4°C). This area usually has:

• Mild winters with regular light frosts and little snowfall
• Hot summers (average highs of 95°F/35°C in southern regions like Texas)
• 212-day growing season from the last spring frost on Apr 3 to the first fall frost on Nov 1 (median).

Geographically, Zone 8a spans southern U.S. states, including Texas (e.g., Abilene), Oklahoma (e.g., Ardmore), Arkansas (e.g., Little Rock), and North Carolina (e.g., Charlotte).

Zone 8b

USDA Zone 8b has average annual minimum winter temperatures of 15°F to 20°F (-9.4°C to -6.7°C). This area offers:

• Mild winters with fewer frosts than Zone 8a
• Hot summers (average highs of 95°F/35°C in southern regions like Texas)
• Longer growing season, from the last spring frost on Mar 25 to the first fall frost on Nov 7 (median), typically 227 days

Zone 8b covers parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and sections of Oregon and Washington. It also includes small areas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada.

Main differences between 8a and 8b are winter temperature extremes and frost frequency. Zone 8b generally allows a longer growing season and supports some more cold-sensitive plants than 8a. Both areas suit many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals that do well in mild winter conditions.

Zone 8 Frost Dates

In Zone 8, the typical last spring frost comes on April 3 in 8a and March 25 in 8b, and the first fall frost on November 1 in 8a and November 7 in 8b. The table gives the median date for every ZIP code in each subzone and the range that covers 8 of 10 ZIP codes, from NOAA 1991–2020 weather-station records; in 7 of 10 years, the frost comes before the spring date and after the fall date. The growing season is the number of days between the two dates. Frost dates for one garden come from its ZIP code: frost dates by ZIP code.

Subzone	Last spring frost	First fall frost	Growing season
Zone 8a	Apr 3 (Mar 28–Apr 14)	Nov 1 (Oct 25–Nov 8)	212 days
Zone 8b	Mar 25 (Mar 9–Apr 13)	Nov 7 (Oct 28–Nov 16)	227 days

When to Plant in Zone 8?

In Zone 8, plant garlic from October 15 to November 30 and tulip bulbs from October 31 to December 10; 1 in 4 Zone 8 ZIP codes chills tulip bulbs in the refrigerator first. Dates for one ZIP code: When to Plant Garlic and When to Plant Tulip Bulbs.

November is garlic, bulb, and cool-season vegetable month in much of Zone 8: What to Plant in November lists vegetables, flowers, and cover crops by zone. Planting dates for more crops: When to Plant: Planting Dates by ZIP Code.

What are the States of Zone 8 USDA Planting Zones?

1. Alabama

Alabama zone 8 covers northern (8a) and central (8b) regions. Huntsville sits in 8a, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa in 8b; Birmingham straddles the two, and Mobile and the Gulf Coast are zone 9a. Crape myrtles, southern magnolias, and oaks grow well here. 8b supports more subtropical plants due to milder winters.

2. Arizona

Zone 8 in Arizona appears in scattered areas statewide, with subzones 8a and 8b at higher elevations or in specific microclimates moderating desert extremes. Suitable plants: certain oak species, junipers, drought-resistant perennials like desert marigold, Mexican hat, and Arizona cypress.

3. Arkansas

Arkansas zone 8 covers central and southern parts. Little Rock is in 8a, while southernmost regions bordering Louisiana fall in 8b. Dogwoods, redbuds, and fruit trees thrive here.

4. California

Zone 8 in California occurs in scattered areas statewide, with subzones 8a and 8b in various microclimates, including the high desert (Victorville, Lancaster) and the far-northern mountains (Yreka, Mount Shasta). Suitable plants: Mediterranean species, citrus trees in protected areas, drought-resistant plants like California lilac, manzanita, and certain lavender varieties.

5. Delaware

Zone 8 in Delaware exists in a small southern area, with subzone 8a including the Atlantic beach towns of Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach. Suitable plants: crape myrtles, certain fig varieties, ornamental shrubs like butterfly bush, abelia, and nandina.

6. District of Columbia (DC)

Zone 8 in DC covers about half the city, with subzone 8a including downtown and most of the east and southeast, influenced by its urban heat island effect; the northern and western neighborhoods are zone 7b. Suitable plants: ornamental trees like cherry blossoms, perennials and shrubs such as black-eyed susans, coneflowers, and hydrangeas.

7. Florida

Florida’s zone 8 occupies northernmost areas. Inland parts of the Florida Panhandle, such as Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, and Bonifay, are in 8b; Tallahassee and Pensacola are zone 9a. Southern magnolias, live oaks, and cold-hardy palms like needle and windmill varieties grow well, tolerating occasional freezing temperatures.

8. Georgia

Georgia zone 8 spans northern (8a) and central (8b) areas. Atlanta falls in 8a, Macon and Augusta in 8b; Savannah is zone 9a. Annual minimum winter temperatures range 10°F to 20°F (-12.2°C to -6.7°C), 8b being warmer. Azaleas, camellias, and magnolias thrive here, among other ornamental and agricultural species.

9. Louisiana

Zone 8 includes northern Louisiana, all of it subzone 8b. Shreveport and Monroe fall in 8b; Baton Rouge is zone 9a. Camellias, azaleas, and fig varieties flourish in this zone.

10. Maryland

Zone 8 in Maryland covers eastern shore and southern coastal areas, with subzone 8a including Chesapeake Bay regions and Atlantic coast. Suitable plants: camellias, certain holly varieties, ornamental grasses like pampas grass, fountain grass, and blue fescue.

11. Mississippi

Zone 8 spans northern and central regions. Subzone 8a extends across northern Mississippi (Tupelo, Oxford), while 8b covers the central and southern interior (Jackson, Hattiesburg); the Gulf Coast is zone 9a. Suitable plants: Loblolly Pine, Live Oak, Hydrangea cultivars, peaches, and figs thriving in warm climates and long growing seasons.

12. Missouri

Zone 8 covers a small area in Missouri’s southeastern corner, with subzone 8a including the “bootheel” region in the Mississippi River Delta. Plants suitable for this zone include azaleas, camellias, some fig varieties, cotton, and rice. These benefit from the longer growing season with average annual minimum winter temperatures from 10°F to 15°F.

Few cities exist in this zone, including Arbyrd, Cardwell, and Hornersville. These areas belong to the Mississippi River Delta region, known for its flat, fertile land.

13. Nevada

Zone 8 is limited to small southern areas. Subzone 8b covers Pahrump and the higher northwestern edge of the Las Vegas valley, while 8a occurs in higher desert towns such as Indian Springs and Beatty; Las Vegas itself is zone 9. Suitable plants: Mesquite, Palo Verde, succulents, Mediterranean plants, Bougainvillea, and Lantana thriving in hot, dry climates.

14. New Jersey

Zone 8 is limited to small southern coastal area. Subzone 8a includes Cape May and Atlantic County parts. Suitable plants: Beach Plum, Bayberry, Crape Myrtle, and certain Camellia varieties thriving in mild winters and long growing seasons.

15. New Mexico

Zone 8 is primarily in southern part. Subzone 8a covers most of southern New Mexico, including Carlsbad, Alamogordo, and Deming, while 8b is in the lower Rio Grande Valley around Las Cruces. Suitable plants: Yucca, Agave, cacti, Lavender, Rosemary, peaches, and apricots with adequate water.

16. North Carolina

Zone 8 covers the Piedmont and coastal plain. Subzone 8a includes the Piedmont and inland eastern counties (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville), while 8b covers the coast (Wilmington, New Bern). Suitable plants: Crape Myrtle, Camellia, Azalea, Southern Magnolia, vegetables, and ornamentals thriving in long growing seasons.

17. Oklahoma

Zone 8 covers southern Oklahoma, with 8a from south-central to southeastern regions; the state has no 8b areas. Plants suited for this zone include crape myrtle, southern magnolia, and oak species. Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and okra thrive in warmer temperatures from 10°F to 20°F.

Cities in this zone: Durant (8a), Hugo (8a), Idabel (8a). Other areas: Ardmore, Broken Bow, and parts of Fort Sill; Lawton is zone 7b.

18. Oregon

Zone 8 concentrates in western part. Subzone 8b covers the Willamette and Rogue valleys (Salem, Eugene, Medford), while 8a is limited to foothill towns such as Ashland and Estacada; the immediate coast is zone 9. Suitable plants: Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Rhododendrons, cool-season vegetables, berries, Japanese Maples, and Camellias thriving in mild climates.

19. Pennsylvania

Zone 8 in Pennsylvania covers a small southern portion, with subzone 8a along the Delaware River southwest of Philadelphia where average annual minimum winter temperatures range from 10 to 15°F (-12 to -9°C). This zone includes Ridley Park and Crum Lynne in Delaware County. Suitable plants include camellias, gardenias, and some hydrangea varieties tolerant of milder winters.

20. South Carolina

Zone 8 covers most of South Carolina, with 8a in the Upstate (Greenville, Spartanburg) and 8b across the Midlands and Grand Strand (Columbia, Myrtle Beach); Charleston and Beaufort are zone 9a. Plants suited for this zone include Palmetto Palm, Oleander, and Confederate Jasmine.

21. Tennessee

Zone 8 in Tennessee covers the southwestern corner around Memphis. Subzone 8a includes Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, and Covington; Tennessee has no 8b areas. Suitable plants include figs, crape myrtles, and southern magnolias.

22. Texas

Zone 8 covers much of North and East Texas, with 8a in the Rolling Plains and Permian Basin (Abilene, Midland) and 8b across North and Central Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Tyler) and El Paso; the Gulf Coast and South Texas are zone 9. Plants suited for this zone include Crape Myrtle, Southern Magnolia, and Texas Sage, thriving in average annual minimum winter temperatures from 10°F to 20°F.

23. Utah

Zone 8 in Utah is mainly in the southwestern part, with subzone 8b including St. George, Washington, and Hurricane, and 8a in nearby higher towns like Santa Clara and La Verkin. Suitable plants include agave, yucca, and rosemary, which thrive in warmer, drier conditions.

24. Virginia

Zone 8 concentrates southeastern Virginia, with 8a inland and 8b immediate coastal regions. Plants suited for this USDA horticultural zone include Camellia, Azalea, and Dogwood, thriving in average annual minimum winter temperatures from 10°F to 20°F.

25. Washington

Zone 8 exists mainly western Washington, with 8a inland and 8b coastal and Puget Sound area. Plants suited for this zone include Japanese Maple, Rhododendron, and Western Red Cedar, thriving in average annual minimum winter temperatures from 10°F to 20°F.