What Growing Zone Is Washington In?
USDA hardiness zones
5b to 9a
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Washington spans USDA hardiness zone 5b to 9a 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 98104 (Seattle)
Your USDA hardiness zone
Zone 9a
Avg. annual minimum (°F)
20°F to 25°F
Avg. annual minimum (°C)
-7°C to -4°C
Nearest reference point: Seattle, WA
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).
Washington's USDA Hardiness Zones
Here's how the zone shifts across Washington'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 Washington
Frost dates track zone, so they shift across Washington the same way the zone number does:
- North Cascades (Winthrop) (zone 5): average last frost Apr 8 - Apr 22, average first frost Oct 8 - Oct 22.
- Puget Sound and coast (Seattle, Aberdeen) (zone 9): average last frost Feb 8 - Feb 22, average first frost Dec 8 - Dec 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 Washington's frost dates, see the Washington Planting Calendar.
The Cascade Range creates a dramatic rain-shadow divide -- western Washington enjoys an ocean-moderated, mild climate while eastern Washington sees colder winters and hotter summers, per the University of Washington's Office of the Washington State Climatologist.
What Grows Well in Washington's Zones
A few real, zone-appropriate picks recommended by WSU Master Gardener Program / Great Plant Picks for Washington landscapes: not an exhaustive list, but a genuine starting point.
- Vine maple (Acer circinatum)
- Redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea)
- Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum)
- Grand fir (Abies grandis)
Ready to find your exact zone? Use the Hardiness Zone Finder: enter your ZIP code for a precise match against the 2023 USDA map.
Washington Growing Zone FAQ
What growing zone is Washington in?
Washington spans USDA hardiness zones 5b to 9a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Winthrop is zone 5b and Spokane is zone 7a; enter your ZIP code in the Hardiness Zone Finder for your exact zone.
What growing zone is Seattle, WA?
Seattle is in USDA hardiness zone 9a 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 Spokane, WA?
Spokane 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 Vancouver, WA?
Vancouver 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.
What growing zone is Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma 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 WSU Master Gardener Program / Great Plant Picks. Climate note sourced from University of Washington, Office of the Washington State Climatologist. 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.