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

Zone 8a

In USDA zone 8a the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C). 3,413 ZIP codes (8.4% of all) are in this zone.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
ZIP codes3,413
Typical last frostMar 29
Typical first frostNov 7

Frost dates vary within zone 8a

For the middle half of zone-8a ZIP codes the last spring frost falls between Mar 24 and Apr 1, and the first fall frost between Nov 3 and Nov 10. The zone measures winter cold, not season length: humid Eastern and dry Western towns in the same zone can be weeks apart. Use your ZIP code for a planting date.

States with zone 8a

North Carolina640 ZIPsGeorgia381 ZIPsArkansas372 ZIPsTexas333 ZIPsAlabama332 ZIPsDistrict of Columbia232 ZIPsSouth Carolina205 ZIPsVirginia195 ZIPsMississippi151 ZIPsTennessee125 ZIPsMaryland118 ZIPsOklahoma106 ZIPsNew Mexico52 ZIPsWashington47 ZIPsCalifornia38 ZIPs

Cities mostly in zone 8a

Washington, DC266 ZIPsAtlanta, GA89 ZIPsCharlotte, NC73 ZIPsBirmingham, AL61 ZIPsMemphis, TN60 ZIPsRaleigh, NC43 ZIPsArlington, VA27 ZIPsGreensboro, NC26 ZIPsWinston-Salem, NC25 ZIPsLittle Rock, AR25 ZIPsHuntsville, AL23 ZIPsAlexandria, VA21 ZIPs

← Zone 7b (colder)Zone 8b (warmer) →

Questions

What is the temperature range of zone 8a?

Zone 8a covers places where the coldest night of an average winter (the annual extreme minimum averaged over 1991–2020) is 10 to 15 °F, or −12.2 to −9.4 °C.

When is the last frost in zone 8a?

Across ZIP codes in zone 8a, the median last spring frost falls between Mar 24 and Apr 1 for the middle half of places. Zone alone doesn't set the frost date — check your ZIP code.

Which states have zone 8a?

Zone 8a occurs in 24 states; the most ZIP codes are in North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama.

What can I grow in zone 8a?

Perennials, shrubs and trees labeled hardy to zone 8a or a lower (colder) number should survive a typical winter. Annual vegetables depend on frost dates rather than zone.

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.