USDA hardiness zones — 2023 map
Rhode Island hardiness zones — USDA planting zone map + what to grow
Zones 6a-7b · most of Rhode Island is zone 7a · Northeast region
Rhode IslandUSDA zone range & map
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Rhode Island spans zones 6a-7b. The map shades the state from the northwest interior near Foster (zone 6a) through to the Narragansett Bay shore and Newport (zone 7b). The single most common half-zone across the populated state is zone 7a — that is the figure to use if you only remember one number for Rhode Island. Rhode Island is small and ocean-moderated, with a long season near the bay and only a slightly cooler interior.
| USDA zone range | Zones 6a-7b |
|---|---|
| Most common zone | Zone 7a |
| Coldest area | the northwest interior near Foster (zone 6a) |
| Warmest area | the Narragansett Bay shore and Newport (zone 7b) |
| Average last spring frost | late 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.
Rhode Island hardiness zones by major city
Zones shift across Rhode Island with elevation and distance from the coast. Here is the 2023 USDA half-zone for the largest cities:
| City | USDA zone |
|---|---|
| Providence | Zone 7a |
| Warwick | Zone 7a |
| Newport | Zone 7b |
| Cranston | Zone 7a |
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 Rhode Island
Statewide ranges hide a lot. Tap your area for its exact USDA half-zone, last and first frost dates, and what to plant now:
- Newport 02840 — Zone 7a
- Pawtucket 02860 — Zone 6b
- Warwick 02886 — Zone 6b
- Woonsocket 02895 — Zone 6a
- Providence 02903 — Zone 6b
- Providence (North) 02904 — Zone 6b
What Rhode Island's zone range means for planting
Your hardiness zone tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees will survive a typical Rhode Island winter, and it anchors when tender crops can go outside. Because Rhode Island spans 6a-7b, two gardeners in the same state can have very different planting calendars.
- Pick perennials hardy to your local zone. Across most of Rhode Island that means at least zone 7a; gardeners in the northwest interior near Foster (zone 6a) should choose hardier plants.
- Anchor tender crops to your frost dates. With a last spring frost around late 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 Rhode Island
The 6a-7b 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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island spans USDA hardiness zones 6a-7b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The most common zone — covering the largest share of the populated state — is zone 7a. The coldest areas are the northwest interior near Foster (zone 6a) and the warmest are the Narragansett Bay shore and Newport (zone 7b).
When is the last frost in Rhode Island?
Across most of Rhode Island the average last spring frost falls around late 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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is small and ocean-moderated, with a long season near the bay and only a slightly cooler interior. Match plants to your local half-zone within the 6a-7b range: choose varieties hardy to at least zone 7a 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island ranges from the northwest interior near Foster (zone 6a) to the Narragansett Bay shore and Newport (zone 7b) — a span of 6a-7b — even though it is a single state.
Did Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island, shifted to the next warmer half-zone versus the 2012 map. The 6a-7b range here reflects the current 2023 map. Always confirm your address against the official USDA map for plant-survival decisions.