Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 46285 — Indianapolis, IN

ZIP code 46285 (Indianapolis, Marion County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 46285 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 20
First frostOct 21
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Indianapolis, IN…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Indianapolis, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Indianapolis Se Side, IN — 6 miles away, elevation 846 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 46285

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 21) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 46285 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Indiana

564 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 72

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 202

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 162

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 11

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Indianapolis, IN.

Soil in Indianapolis, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46285 is Miami — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Miami-Urban land complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded (Boone).

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 46285; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Indianapolis, IN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,384base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation41.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 62 °F 81°62° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Indianapolis Se Side, IN (6 mi away); precipitation: Indianapolis Zoo, IN (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

462096b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462306b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462426b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462446b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462476b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462516b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462536b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi
462776b
Indianapolis, IN · <1 mi

All 56 ZIP codes in Indianapolis → · Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46285

What planting zone is ZIP code 46285?

ZIP code 46285 (Indianapolis, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Indianapolis, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46285 is April 20; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Indianapolis Se Side station.

When is the first frost in Indianapolis, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46285 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46285?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 46285 get?

About 41.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Indianapolis Zoo station).

How hot do summers get in Indianapolis, IN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46285 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Miami at the center of ZIP 46285: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Indianapolis, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46285 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Indianapolis, IN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 46285 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 46285 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 46285 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.