What Growing Zone Is Minnesota In?
USDA hardiness zones
3b to 5a
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zone 3b to 5a 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 55415 (Minneapolis)
Your USDA hardiness zone
Zone 5a
Avg. annual minimum (°F)
-20°F to -15°F
Avg. annual minimum (°C)
-29°C to -26°C
Nearest reference point: Minneapolis, MN
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).
Minnesota's USDA Hardiness Zones
Here's how the zone shifts across Minnesota'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 Minnesota
Frost dates track zone, so they shift across Minnesota the same way the zone number does:
- Northeastern Minnesota (Ely) (zone 3): average last frost May 8 - May 22, average first frost Sep 8 - Sep 22.
- Twin Cities (Minneapolis, Saint Paul) (zone 5): average last frost Apr 8 - Apr 22, average first frost Oct 8 - Oct 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 Minnesota's frost dates, see the Minnesota Planting Calendar.
Lake Superior creates a real lake-effect microclimate around Duluth, moderating both winter lows and spring warm-up enough to extend the growing season roughly 10 days longer near the lakeshore than a few miles inland, per Minnesota DNR and NWS Duluth data.
What Grows Well in Minnesota's Zones
A few real, zone-appropriate picks recommended by University of Minnesota Extension for Minnesota landscapes: not an exhaustive list, but a genuine starting point.
- Serviceberry (Juneberry) (Amelanchier spp.)
- Heritage river birch (Betula nigra 'Cully')
- Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)
- Emerald Triumph viburnum (Viburnum x)
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Ready to find your exact zone? Use the Hardiness Zone Finder: enter your ZIP code for a precise match against the 2023 USDA map.
Minnesota Growing Zone FAQ
What growing zone is Minnesota in?
Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zones 3b to 5a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Ely is zone 3b and Duluth is zone 4b; enter your ZIP code in the Hardiness Zone Finder for your exact zone.
What growing zone is Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis is in USDA hardiness zone 5a 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 Rochester, MN?
Rochester is in USDA hardiness zone 4b 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 Ely, MN?
Ely is in USDA hardiness zone 3b 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 Duluth, MN?
Duluth is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
Free book · 23 pages, PDF
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 Minnesota Extension. Climate note sourced from Minnesota DNR / National Weather Service Duluth. 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.