What Growing Zone Is Rhode Island In?

Last updated September 6, 2026

USDA hardiness zone

Zone 7a

2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Rhode Island falls entirely within USDA hardiness zone 7a, according to the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, one of the more spatially uniform areas on the map.

Find your exact zone by ZIP code

Find your exact zone

US ZIP code

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: Chicago, IL

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).

Rhode Island's USDA Hardiness Zones

Here's how the zone shifts across Rhode Island's major cities:

City	USDA Zone
Providence	7a
Newport	7a
Westerly	7a

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 Rhode Island

Because Rhode Island sits in a single zone, frost dates are consistent statewide:

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 Rhode Island's frost dates, see the Rhode Island Planting Calendar.

What Grows Well in Rhode Island's Zones

A few real, zone-appropriate picks recommended by University of Rhode Island Extension / RI Native Plant Guide for Rhode Island landscapes: not an exhaustive list, but a genuine starting point.

Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Eastern white oak (Quercus alba)
Coastal sweet pepperbush (summersweet) (Clethra alnifolia)
Common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)

Ready to find your exact zone? Use the Hardiness Zone Finder: enter your ZIP code for a precise match against the 2023 USDA map.

Rhode Island Growing Zone FAQ

What growing zone is Rhode Island in?

Rhode Island is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What growing zone is Providence, RI?

Providence 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 Newport, RI?

Newport 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 Westerly, RI?

Westerly 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.

A home yard in coastal Rhode Island, with a shingled cottage, a stone wall and sea light, planted with red maple, eastern white oak and coastal sweet pepperbush — Plants that suit Rhode Island: red maple, eastern white oak and coastal sweet pepperbush. AI-generated image.

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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 Rhode Island Extension / RI Native Plant Guide. 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.