USDA hardiness zones — 2023 map
Arkansas hardiness zones — USDA planting zone map + what to grow
Zones 6b-8a · most of Arkansas is zone 7b · Southeast region
ArkansasUSDA zone range & map
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Arkansas spans zones 6b-8a. The map shades the state from the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) through to the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a). The single most common half-zone across the populated state is zone 7b — that is the figure to use if you only remember one number for Arkansas. Arkansas has a warm, humid, long season with mild winters. The Ozarks run a half zone cooler than the southern lowlands.
| USDA zone range | Zones 6b-8a |
|---|---|
| Most common zone | Zone 7b |
| Coldest area | the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) |
| Warmest area | the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a) |
| Average last spring frost | early April |
| Average first fall frost | late October |
Source: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (1991-2020 normals). Frost averages: NOAA/NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals. Local ZIP-level zones and frost dates can differ from these statewide figures.
Arkansas hardiness zones by major city
Zones shift across Arkansas with elevation and distance from the coast. Here is the 2023 USDA half-zone for the largest cities:
| City | USDA zone |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | Zone 8a |
| Fayetteville | Zone 7a |
| Fort Smith | Zone 7b |
| Jonesboro | Zone 7b |
Need your exact zone? Run the ZIP-code zone finder for a precise half-zone and frost dates for your address.
ZIP-code zones in Arkansas
Statewide ranges hide a lot. Tap your area for its exact USDA half-zone, last and first frost dates, and what to plant now:
- Pine Bluff 71601 — Zone 8a
- Hot Springs 71913 — Zone 8a
- Jacksonville 72076 — Zone 7b
- Little Rock 72201 — Zone 8a
- Little Rock (Southwest) 72204 — Zone 8a
- Jonesboro 72401 — Zone 7b
- Fayetteville 72701 — Zone 7a
- Bentonville 72712 — Zone 7a
- Springdale 72762 — Zone 7a
- Fort Smith 72901 — Zone 7b
What Arkansas's zone range means for planting
Your hardiness zone tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees will survive a typical Arkansas winter, and it anchors when tender crops can go outside. Because Arkansas spans 6b-8a, two gardeners in the same state can have very different planting calendars.
- Pick perennials hardy to your local zone. Across most of Arkansas that means at least zone 7b; gardeners in the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) should choose hardier plants.
- Anchor tender crops to your frost dates. With a last spring frost around early April and first fall frost around late October, set out tomatoes, peppers, and basil after the last frost and protect them before the first.
- Adjust for your microclimate. Urban heat, a south-facing slope, or a cold valley pocket can shift your effective zone and frost dates by a half-zone or more from the statewide figure.
Find your exact zone in Arkansas
The 6b-8a range is statewide. Growli pins your hardiness zone and frost dates to your exact ZIP code and sends a push notification before any forecast frost night for your saved location.
Frequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Arkansas?
Arkansas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b-8a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The most common zone — covering the largest share of the populated state — is zone 7b. The coldest areas are the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) and the warmest are the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a).
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
Across most of Arkansas the average last spring frost falls around early April and the first fall frost around late October. These are statewide averages — colder, higher areas run later in spring and earlier in fall, so check a ZIP-level estimate for your exact spot.
What grows well in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a warm, humid, long season with mild winters. The Ozarks run a half zone cooler than the southern lowlands. Match plants to your local half-zone within the 6b-8a range: choose varieties hardy to at least zone 7b for reliable overwintering, and time tender crops around your local frost dates. The zone 7 planting guide lists vegetables, fruit, and ornamentals suited to most of the state.
Why does Arkansas have more than one hardiness zone?
Hardiness zones track the average annual coldest temperature, which changes with latitude, elevation, distance from water, and urban heat. That is why Arkansas ranges from the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) to the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a) — a span of 6b-8a — even though it is a single state.
Did Arkansas's hardiness zone change in 2023?
The USDA updated the Plant Hardiness Zone Map in November 2023 using 1991-2020 climate data. About half the country, including parts of Arkansas, shifted to the next warmer half-zone versus the 2012 map. The 6b-8a range here reflects the current 2023 map. Always confirm your address against the official USDA map for plant-survival decisions.