What Growing Zone Is Arkansas In?
USDA hardiness zones
7a to 8b
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Arkansas spans USDA hardiness zone 7a to 8b across its major population centers, according to the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. That's a real range, not a single number: where you fall in it depends on where in the state you actually are.
Hardiness zone for ZIP 72701 (Fayetteville)
Your USDA hardiness zone
Zone 7a
Avg. annual minimum (°F)
0°F to 5°F
Avg. annual minimum (°C)
-18°C to -15°C
Nearest reference point: Fayetteville, AR
This is a regional estimate based on the nearest of 826 reference points, each matched to the official 2023 USDA zone map. It’s accurate to within about a half-zone across most of the country, but elevation shifts zones over short distances, so if you’re in mountainous terrain, check the official USDA map for your exact address (see Sources below).
Arkansas's USDA Hardiness Zones
Here's how the zone shifts across Arkansas's major cities:
For your exact zone by ZIP code, use the Hardiness Zone Finder, and for what a zone number actually measures (and doesn't), see how zones actually work.
Frost Dates in Arkansas
Frost dates track zone, so they shift across Arkansas the same way the zone number does:
- Ozark/Boston Mountains (Fayetteville) (zone 7): average last frost Mar 18 - Apr 1, average first frost Oct 29 - Nov 12.
- Southern Arkansas (Texarkana) (zone 8): average last frost Mar 8 - Mar 22, average first frost Nov 8 - Nov 22.
These are averages, not guarantees. For your specific frost window, use the Frost Date Calculator. For a full vegetable-by-vegetable planting calendar already calculated from Arkansas's frost dates, see the Arkansas Planting Calendar.
Arkansas shows a clear northwest-to-south gradient: the Ozark/Boston Mountains region (Fayetteville area) sits in zone 7a/7b, while the southern tier near Texarkana reaches 8a/8b.
What Grows Well in Arkansas's Zones
A few real, zone-appropriate picks recommended by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service for Arkansas landscapes: not an exhaustive list, but a genuine starting point.
- Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
- Panicle hydrangea 'Limelight' (Hydrangea paniculata)
- Smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle' (Hydrangea arborescens)
- Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
- Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
- Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
Ready to find your exact zone? Use the Hardiness Zone Finder: enter your ZIP code for a precise match against the 2023 USDA map.
Arkansas Growing Zone FAQ
What growing zone is Arkansas in?
Arkansas spans USDA hardiness zones 7a to 8b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Fayetteville is zone 7a and Little Rock is zone 8a; enter your ZIP code in the Hardiness Zone Finder for your exact zone.
What growing zone is Fayetteville, AR?
Fayetteville is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
What growing zone is Little Rock, AR?
Little Rock is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
What growing zone is Fort Smith, AR?
Fort Smith is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
What growing zone is Texarkana, AR?
Texarkana is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
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The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet
When to start, when to plant, how far apart.
Sources & further reading
Zone and city data checked against the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Plant recommendations sourced from University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Climate note sourced from University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. For more on how we build and verify reference data across this site, see our methodology page.
Growing zones in nearby states
Gardening near a state line? Zones don't stop at the border:
- Texas growing zones
- Tennessee growing zones
- Missouri growing zones
- Louisiana growing zones
- Oklahoma growing zones
- Mississippi growing zones
Or browse all 51 state growing-zone guides.