USDA Planting Zone 9 with Map

What is Zone 9 USDA Planting Zone?

Zone 9 of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones features mild winter temperatures (20°F to 30°F/-6.7°C to -1.1°C) and spans the southern United States. Key regions include central Florida, southern Louisiana, southern Texas, and Pacific coastal areas of California, extending inland to parts of Arizona.

Search USDA Planting Zones 9 by ZipCode

USDA Planting Zones 9 Map

Toggle zone 9a and 9b layers using, top right corner button in mapview.

Zone 9 is further divided into two subzones:

Zone 9a

Zone 9a features a 20°F to 25°F (-6.7°C to -3.9°C) temperature range and spans inland areas of the Southeast (e.g., Central Florida, Southern Louisiana) and Southwest regions. Its 9-10 month growing season supports year-round cultivation in some areas.

• Temperature range: 20°F to 25°F (-6.7°C to -3.9°C)
• Climate characteristics: Mild winters with rare freezes, hot summers
• Growing season: Approximately 9-10 months, with some areas experiencing year-round growing conditions

Zone 9b

Zone 9b spans coastal and southern regions, including California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. California and Arizona feature a Mediterranean climate with dry summers, while Florida and Texas maintain higher humidity levels.

• Temperature range: 25°F to 30°F (-3.9°C to -1.1°C)
• Climate: Very mild winters, hot and often dry summers
• Growing season: Nearly year-round, with reduced growth during peak summer heat

What are the States of USDA Zone 9?

The states containing USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9 areas are:

1. California

Zone 9 spans California’s coastal and Central Valley regions, divided into Subzone 9a (light green) and 9b (yellow) on the USDA map. Subzone 9a covers inland Central Valley areas and Southern California, while 9b includes coastal stretches from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego.

Major Zone 9 cities include Sacramento (9a), San Jose (9b), and San Diego (9b). The zone experiences average winter lows of 20°F to 30°F (-6.7°C to -1.1°C), with 9b being marginally warmer. Three drought-tolerant plants thrive here: California poppy, coast live oak, and manzanita.

2. Texas

Zone 9 spans Texas’ Gulf Coast and southern regions, divided into Subzone 9a (light green on our map) and 9b (yellow on our map) on the USDA map. Subzone 9a covers inland coastal areas, while 9b includes immediate coastal zones and parts of South Texas.

Key cities in this zone are Houston (9a), Corpus Christi (9b), and Brownsville (9b). Three heat-tolerant plants thrive here: Texas sage, yucca, and Gulf muhly grass.

3. Florida

Zone 9 spans northern and central Florida, divided into Subzone 9a (light green) and 9b (yellow) on the our USDA map, given above. Subzone 9a covers most of North Florida, while 9b spans Central Florida and the Tampa Bay region.

Key cities in this zone include Jacksonville (9a), Orlando (9b), and Tampa (9b). Three native plants example that thrive here are: crape myrtle, Southern magnolia, and coontie.

4. Arizona

Zone 9 spans central and southern Arizona, divided into Subzone 9a (higher elevations) and 9b (lower desert regions). Key cities include Phoenix (9b), Tucson (9b), and Flagstaff (9a). Drought-tolerant plants thrive here includes: desert marigold, palo verde, and ocotillo.

5. Louisiana

Zone 9 covers southern Louisiana, including coastal areas, with Subzone 9a (inland) and 9b (immediate coast). Major cities are New Orleans (9b), Baton Rouge (9a), and Lafayette (9a). Suitable native plants that thrive here includes southern live oak, Louisiana iris, and bald cypress.

6. Georgia

Zone 9 is limited to Georgia’s southeastern coast, including Savannah and Brunswick. Coastal-adapted plants well-suited for this zone include Confederate jasmine, saw palmetto, and loblolly bay.

7. Alabama

Zone 9 in Alabama is found along the Gulf Coast in the southern part of the state. Subzone 9a is shown as light green on our map above, while 9b is limited to a small coastal area of the state.

Cities in this zone are Mobile (9a) and Gulf Shores (9b). Suitable plants for this zone in Alabama are Southern wax myrtle, oakleaf hydrangea, and Gulf Coast muhly grass.

8. Mississippi

Zone 9 in Mississippi is limited to the coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico. Cities in this zone include Gulfport (9a) and Biloxi (9b). Plants well-suited for this zone in Mississippi include Southern magnolia, American beautyberry, and yaupon holly.

9. South Carolina

Zone 9 in South Carolina is found only in a small area along the southern coast. Cities in this zone are Hilton Head Island and parts of Charleston. Suitable plants for this zone in South Carolina include palmetto palm, sweetgrass, and Carolina jessamine.

10. Nevada

Zone 9 in Nevada is limited to the southern tip of the state. The primary city in this zone is Las Vegas (9b). Plants well-suited for this zone in Nevada include desert marigold, Joshua tree, and red yucca.

11. Oregon

Zone 9 in Oregon is found in small pockets along the southern coast. Cities in this zone include parts of Brookings and Gold Beach. Suitable plants for this zone in Oregon include Pacific wax myrtle, evergreen huckleberry, and Oregon grape.

12. Washington

Zone 9 in Washington is limited to small areas along the southern coast. This zone includes parts of Long Beach Peninsula. Plants well-suited for this zone in Washington include salal, Pacific rhododendron, and shore pine.

13. North Carolina

Zone 9 in North Carolina is found only in the Outer Banks region. This zone includes parts of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Suitable plants for this zone in North Carolina include sea oats, yaupon holly, and live oak.

How does Zone 9 differ from neighbouring zones?

USDA Zone 9 is warmer than Zone 8 and cooler than Zone 10. Plants that thrive in Zone 9 may not survive colder winters in Zone 8, While some tropical plants that do well in Zone 10, such as banana trees (Musa spp.), bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), plumeria (Plumeria spp.), and certain varieties of orchids, might struggle with Zone 9’s occasional cold weather.