What Growing Zone Is Indiana In?
USDA hardiness zones
6a to 7a
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Indiana spans USDA hardiness zone 6a to 7a 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 46204 (Indianapolis)
Your USDA hardiness zone
Zone 6b
Avg. annual minimum (°F)
-5°F to 0°F
Avg. annual minimum (°C)
-21°C to -18°C
Nearest reference point: Indianapolis, IN
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).
Indiana's USDA Hardiness Zones
Here's how the zone shifts across Indiana'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 Indiana
Frost dates track zone, so they shift across Indiana the same way the zone number does:
- Lake-effect north (South Bend) (zone 6): average last frost Mar 29 - Apr 12, average first frost Oct 18 - Nov 1.
- Ohio River Valley (Evansville) (zone 7): average last frost Mar 18 - Apr 1, average first frost Oct 29 - Nov 12.
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 Indiana's frost dates, see the Indiana Planting Calendar.
Purdue's Indiana State Climate Office documents a real north-south freeze gradient: lake-effect counties near South Bend see later spring and earlier fall frosts than the Ohio River Valley near Evansville, which has the state's longest frost-free season.
What Grows Well in Indiana's Zones
A few real, zone-appropriate picks recommended by Purdue Extension (FNR-531-W) for Indiana landscapes: not an exhaustive list, but a genuine starting point.
- Red maple (Acer rubrum)
- Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica)
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)
- Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)
- Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Ready to find your exact zone? Use the Hardiness Zone Finder: enter your ZIP code for a precise match against the 2023 USDA map.
Indiana Growing Zone FAQ
What growing zone is Indiana in?
Indiana spans USDA hardiness zones 6a to 7a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. South Bend is zone 6a and Fort Wayne is zone 6a; enter your ZIP code in the Hardiness Zone Finder for your exact zone.
What growing zone is Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis is in USDA hardiness zone 6b 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 Wayne, IN?
Fort Wayne is in USDA hardiness zone 6a 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 South Bend, IN?
South Bend is in USDA hardiness zone 6a 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 Bloomington, IN?
Bloomington is in USDA hardiness zone 6b 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 Purdue Extension (FNR-531-W). Climate note sourced from Indiana State Climate Office, Purdue Agriculture. 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:
Or browse all 51 state growing-zone guides.