Plant Hardiness Zones

When looking at information on a plant, you'll often see a "zone" number listed. The USDA has designated ten "hardiness zones," which are based on the minimum temperature in the region. Three zones cover Florida: 8, 9, and 10 (plus a subtropical zone 11 on some maps). While this number helps you decide whether a plant can survive winter in your area, there are many other factors you should consider, such as how much heat the plant can handle, type of soil and amount of sunlight it requires.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Gardening in the Zone
• UF/IFAS Resources for Specific Growing Zones
• Useful Guide to What You Can Grow (in Polk County)

UF/IFAS Publications

• Confused About Hardiness Zones? (PDF)

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Right Plant, Right Place

Other Sites

• AHS Plant Heat Zone Map©--American Horticultural Society
• A Gardener's Guide to Zone Maps--National Gardening Association
• Hardiness Zones--ArborDay.org
• Plant Hardiness Zones--Floridagardener.com (Includes an interactive Florida map, marked by county)
• USDA Hardiness Zone Finder--National Gardening Association
• What You Should Know About Gardening in Florida--Floridagardener.com