USDA hardiness zones — 2023 map
Nebraska hardiness zones — USDA planting zone map + what to grow
Zones 4b-6a · most of Nebraska is zone 5b · Midwest region
NebraskaUSDA zone range & map
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Nebraska spans zones 4b-6a. The map shades the state from the northern Sandhills and Panhandle (zone 4b) through to the southeast near the Missouri River (zone 6a). The single most common half-zone across the populated state is zone 5b — that is the figure to use if you only remember one number for Nebraska. Nebraska has a continental plains climate — cold winters, hot windy summers, and a season that shortens going north and west.
| USDA zone range | Zones 4b-6a |
|---|---|
| Most common zone | Zone 5b |
| Coldest area | the northern Sandhills and Panhandle (zone 4b) |
| Warmest area | the southeast near the Missouri River (zone 6a) |
| Average last spring frost | late April |
| Average first fall frost | early 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.
Nebraska hardiness zones by major city
Zones shift across Nebraska with elevation and distance from the coast. Here is the 2023 USDA half-zone for the largest cities:
| City | USDA zone |
|---|---|
| Omaha | Zone 5b |
| Lincoln | Zone 5b |
| Grand Island | Zone 5a |
| Scottsbluff | Zone 5a |
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 Nebraska
Statewide ranges hide a lot. Tap your area for its exact USDA half-zone, last and first frost dates, and what to plant now:
- Omaha 68102 — Zone 5b
- Omaha (Northwest) 68104 — Zone 5b
- Omaha (West) 68114 — Zone 5b
- Omaha (Millard) 68130 — Zone 5b
- Lincoln (East) 68505 — Zone 5b
- Lincoln 68508 — Zone 5b
- Lincoln (North) 68521 — Zone 5b
- Grand Island 68801 — Zone 5a
- Kearney 68847 — Zone 5a
- North Platte 69101 — Zone 5a
What Nebraska's zone range means for planting
Your hardiness zone tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees will survive a typical Nebraska winter, and it anchors when tender crops can go outside. Because Nebraska spans 4b-6a, two gardeners in the same state can have very different planting calendars.
- Pick perennials hardy to your local zone. Across most of Nebraska that means at least zone 5b; gardeners in the northern Sandhills and Panhandle (zone 4b) should choose hardier plants.
- Anchor tender crops to your frost dates. With a last spring frost around late April and first fall frost around early 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 Nebraska
The 4b-6a 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 Nebraska?
Nebraska spans USDA hardiness zones 4b-6a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The most common zone — covering the largest share of the populated state — is zone 5b. The coldest areas are the northern Sandhills and Panhandle (zone 4b) and the warmest are the southeast near the Missouri River (zone 6a).
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
Across most of Nebraska the average last spring frost falls around late April and the first fall frost around early 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 Nebraska?
Nebraska has a continental plains climate — cold winters, hot windy summers, and a season that shortens going north and west. Match plants to your local half-zone within the 4b-6a range: choose varieties hardy to at least zone 5b for reliable overwintering, and time tender crops around your local frost dates. The zone 5 planting guide lists vegetables, fruit, and ornamentals suited to most of the state.
Why does Nebraska 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 Nebraska ranges from the northern Sandhills and Panhandle (zone 4b) to the southeast near the Missouri River (zone 6a) — a span of 4b-6a — even though it is a single state.
Did Nebraska'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 Nebraska, shifted to the next warmer half-zone versus the 2012 map. The 4b-6a range here reflects the current 2023 map. Always confirm your address against the official USDA map for plant-survival decisions.