USDA Gardening Zone 7: Plants, Frost Dates, Location, & Tips

Here's everything you need to know about plant hardiness zones 7a and 7b so you can grow a successful garden.

Updated May 1, 2024
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Zone 7

If you want your perennial plants and trees to survive the winter, checking your USDA plant hardiness zone is essential. Average minimum winter temps in Zone 7 are about 0°F to 5°F (Zone 7a) or 5°F to 10°F (Zone 7b). To give your garden and landscape the best chance of surviving the winter, make sure you choose plants that will thrive throughout Zone 7.

Zone 7 Hardiness Temperatures

The USDA determines gardening zones by the average minimum temperature in the winter months. The temps for each zone are separated by a difference of 10°F. For example, the average low temperature of Zone 7 is 10° colder than Zone 8, and the average low temperature in Zone 8 is 10° colder than Zone 9. 

Temperatures for Zone 7a and Zone 7b

Each subzone is separated by 5°F. 

  • Zone 7: The overall zone has a minimum average of temperatures of 0° to 10°F.
  • Zone 7a: This subzone has a minimum average temperature of 0° to 5°F.
  • Zone 7b: This subzone has a minimum average temperature of 5° to 10°F.

Of course, the temperatures don't always stay within this range. Much colder temperatures can occur. The hardiness zones pivot around these minimum average degrees.

Zone 7 States

Zone 7a and 7b map

No state has just one zone. Most states have multiple hardiness zones because of minor climate differences based on location, landscape, etc. If you're unsure exactly what zone your property is in, the USDA plant hardiness zone map lets you search your ZIP code to find out your hardiness zone.

Our handy chart below shows you which states (and approximately where in the state) are Zone 7a and Zone 7b.

State Zone Notes
Alabama 7b Very small areas in NW & NE
Alaska 7a & 7b Very southern part of the state (see map)
Arizona Mostly 7a Scattered throughout state (mostly North — see map)
Arkansas

7a & 7b

7a in extreme north
7 b in north
California 7a & 7b Both in the NE (see map)

Colorado

Mostly 7a

Western 

Connecticut

7a

South

Delaware

7b

Entire state

Georgia

7b

Very NE tip

Idaho

7a

Small spots in panhandle & SW (see map)

Maryland

7a & 7b

7a - Extreme north
7b - Rest of state

Massachusetts

7a

Extreme south

Mississippi

7b

Small swatch in extreme north-central

Missouri

7a

South
Nevada 7a & 7b Throughout state (see map)
New Jersey 7a & 7b 7a throughout most of the state except in extreme NW
7b in very small portion of the SW
New Mexico 7a & 7b Throughout state (see map)
New York 7a Southeastern tip
North Carolina 7b Northeast
Oklahoma 7a & 7b

7a north
7b central

Oregon 7a & 7b Scattered through central and eastern ( see map)
Pennsylvania 7a Southeast
Rhode Island 7a Very small spot in east (see map)
Tennessee 7a & 7b 7a small spots in central (see map)
7b rest of state
Texas 7a & 7b 7a NW panhandle
7b rest of panhandle (see map)
Utah 7a & 7b Scattered throughout state (see map)
Washington 7a Southeastern

Plants That Thrive in Zone 7a & 7b

Winter vegetables straight from the gardenL radishes, carrots, cabbage, herbs and turnips.

There are many vegetables, flowers, trees, and other plants that you can grow in zone 7. The summer vegetable crop varieties often seem endless.

Herbs

Choose varieties of herbs that overwinter well.

  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Chives
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Thyme

Veggies

Cool-weather veggies do well in Zones 7a and 7b. 

  • Root veggies: onions, carrots, turnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rutabaga, celeriac, beets
  • Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage, mustard, kale
  • Leafy veg: spinach, lettuce, arugula
  • Others: corn, peas, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, summer and winter squash, pumpkins

Related: 26 Plants for Your Summer Vegetable Garden

Trees

Many trees will do well in this zone.

  • Nut trees, such as pecan, chestnut, walnut, hazelnut, and hickory
  • Fruit trees, such as apple, peach, pear, and apricot
  • Other trees, like dogwood, arborvitae, Japanese maple, redbud, weeping cherry
Need to Know

A common misperception is that it's not possible to grow citrus trees in this zone. However, there are several varieties that are zone 7 and even Zone 8 hardy.

McKenzie Farms and Nursery specializes in producing cold-hardy citrus, palms, and eucalyptus trees. The company only ships inside the U.S. and cannot ship to Arizona, California, Florida, or Texas.

Berries

Love berries? Take your pick!

  • Strawberries
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries

Perennial Flowers

Many perennial flowers grow well in Zone 7.

  • Echinacea
  • Creeping phlox
  • Wild columbine
  • Trillium
  • Lily-of-the-valley

Shrubs

If you love a shrub, try these.

  • Azalea
  • Buddleia
  • Clematis
  • Forsythia
  • Hydrangea
  • Lilac
Need to Know

Most local nurseries and big box stores sell only plants suitable to the local zone.

Zone 7 Gardening Tips

Winter Protection for garden, winter shelter for garden plants, shelter rhododendrons

The hardiness zone guide can help you decide which plants to grow in your region, and our tips can help you succeed.

Frost Dates

Understanding your frost dates for Zones 7a and 7b will give you the most chance of success. 

  • Last frost date: Mid-April is the timeframe given for zone 7, although there have been frosts as late as the first week in May.
  • First frost date: Mid-October is the benchmark for first frost, but it has also been as late as the first week in November.

You can always download a current frost date app. Just enter your ZIP code to get a more accurate time frame.

Things Zone Designations Don't Include

The way to use the zone designation is to aid you in growing plant life that can survive the winter in your region. The zone guide can't account for occurrences like microclimates, droughts, soil conditions, soil fertility, rainfall, and unusual weather patterns. These things are very important to your growing progress. You can find this information in Sunset's The New Western Garden Book.

Successful Gardening in Zone 7

Zone 7 offers a long growing season that gives plenty of opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetables. By knowing what plants can tolerate winter conditions in your zone, you can save quite a bit of time and money.

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USDA Gardening Zone 7: Plants, Frost Dates, Location, & Tips