USDA hardiness zones — 2023 map
Missouri hardiness zones — USDA planting zone map + what to grow
Zones 5b-7a · most of Missouri is zone 6b · Midwest region
MissouriUSDA zone range & map
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Missouri spans zones 5b-7a. The map shades the state from the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) through to the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a). The single most common half-zone across the populated state is zone 6b — that is the figure to use if you only remember one number for Missouri. Missouri has a humid continental climate with hot summers and a southeastern Bootheel that gardens nearly a zone warmer than the north.
| USDA zone range | Zones 5b-7a |
|---|---|
| Most common zone | Zone 6b |
| Coldest area | the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) |
| Warmest area | the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a) |
| Average last spring frost | mid-April |
| Average first fall frost | mid-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.
Missouri hardiness zones by major city
Zones shift across Missouri with elevation and distance from the coast. Here is the 2023 USDA half-zone for the largest cities:
| City | USDA zone |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | Zone 6b |
| St. Louis | Zone 7a |
| Springfield | Zone 7a |
| Columbia | Zone 6b |
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 Missouri
Statewide ranges hide a lot. Tap your area for its exact USDA half-zone, last and first frost dates, and what to plant now:
- Saint Louis 63101 — Zone 7a
- Saint Louis (South) 63116 — Zone 7a
- Saint Louis (Benton Park) 63118 — Zone 7a
- Saint Louis (North County) 63136 — Zone 6b
- Saint Charles 63301 — Zone 6b
- Lake Saint Louis 63367 — Zone 6b
- Kansas City 64106 — Zone 6b
- Kansas City (Midtown) 64111 — Zone 6b
- Kansas City (Northland) 64118 — Zone 6a
- Kansas City (Raytown area) 64133 — Zone 6b
- Saint Joseph 64506 — Zone 6a
- Joplin 64801 — Zone 7a
- Jefferson City 65101 — Zone 6b
- Columbia 65203 — Zone 6b
- Springfield 65801 — Zone 7a
- Springfield (South) 65807 — Zone 7a
What Missouri's zone range means for planting
Your hardiness zone tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees will survive a typical Missouri winter, and it anchors when tender crops can go outside. Because Missouri spans 5b-7a, two gardeners in the same state can have very different planting calendars.
- Pick perennials hardy to your local zone. Across most of Missouri that means at least zone 6b; gardeners in the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) should choose hardier plants.
- Anchor tender crops to your frost dates. With a last spring frost around mid-April and first fall frost around mid-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 Missouri
The 5b-7a 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 Missouri?
Missouri spans USDA hardiness zones 5b-7a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The most common zone — covering the largest share of the populated state — is zone 6b. The coldest areas are the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) and the warmest are the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a).
When is the last frost in Missouri?
Across most of Missouri the average last spring frost falls around mid-April and the first fall frost around mid-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 Missouri?
Missouri has a humid continental climate with hot summers and a southeastern Bootheel that gardens nearly a zone warmer than the north. Match plants to your local half-zone within the 5b-7a range: choose varieties hardy to at least zone 6b for reliable overwintering, and time tender crops around your local frost dates. The zone 6 planting guide lists vegetables, fruit, and ornamentals suited to most of the state.
Why does Missouri 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 Missouri ranges from the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) to the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a) — a span of 5b-7a — even though it is a single state.
Did Missouri'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 Missouri, shifted to the next warmer half-zone versus the 2012 map. The 5b-7a range here reflects the current 2023 map. Always confirm your address against the official USDA map for plant-survival decisions.