USDA hardiness zones — 2023 map
Utah hardiness zones — USDA planting zone map + what to grow
Zones 4a-9a · most of Utah is zone 6b · West region
UtahUSDA zone range & map
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Utah spans zones 4a-9a. The map shades the state from the high Uinta and central mountains (zone 4a) through to the southwest Dixie around St. George (zone 9a). 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 Utah. Utah ranges from alpine mountains to warm southern desert. Elevation and aridity drive plant choice; the Wasatch Front has the main growing belt.
| USDA zone range | Zones 4a-9a |
|---|---|
| Most common zone | Zone 6b |
| Coldest area | the high Uinta and central mountains (zone 4a) |
| Warmest area | the southwest Dixie around St. George (zone 9a) |
| Average last spring frost | late April (Wasatch Front) |
| Average first fall frost | mid-October (Wasatch Front) |
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.
Utah hardiness zones by major city
Zones shift across Utah with elevation and distance from the coast. Here is the 2023 USDA half-zone for the largest cities:
| City | USDA zone |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | Zone 7a |
| Provo | Zone 7a |
| St. George | Zone 8b |
| Ogden | Zone 7a |
| Logan | Zone 6a |
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 Utah
Statewide ranges hide a lot. Tap your area for its exact USDA half-zone, last and first frost dates, and what to plant now:
- Clearfield 84015 — Zone 6b
- Midvale 84047 — Zone 7a
- Orem 84057 — Zone 6b
- West Jordan 84084 — Zone 7a
- South Jordan 84095 — Zone 6b
- Salt Lake City (West) 84104 — Zone 7a
- Salt Lake City (Sugar House) 84106 — Zone 7a
- Salt Lake City 84111 — Zone 7a
- West Valley City 84120 — Zone 7a
- Sandy 84121 — Zone 6b
- Logan 84321 — Zone 5b
- Ogden 84403 — Zone 7a
- Provo 84601 — Zone 6b
- Saint George 84770 — Zone 8b
- Saint George (West) 84790 — Zone 8b
What Utah's zone range means for planting
Your hardiness zone tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees will survive a typical Utah winter, and it anchors when tender crops can go outside. Because Utah spans 4a-9a, two gardeners in the same state can have very different planting calendars.
- Pick perennials hardy to your local zone. Across most of Utah that means at least zone 6b; gardeners in the high Uinta and central mountains (zone 4a) should choose hardier plants.
- Anchor tender crops to your frost dates. With a last spring frost around late April (Wasatch Front) and first fall frost around mid-October (Wasatch Front), 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 Utah
The 4a-9a 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 Utah?
Utah spans USDA hardiness zones 4a-9a 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 high Uinta and central mountains (zone 4a) and the warmest are the southwest Dixie around St. George (zone 9a).
When is the last frost in Utah?
Across most of Utah the average last spring frost falls around late April (Wasatch Front) and the first fall frost around mid-October (Wasatch Front). 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 Utah?
Utah ranges from alpine mountains to warm southern desert. Elevation and aridity drive plant choice; the Wasatch Front has the main growing belt. Match plants to your local half-zone within the 4a-9a 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 Utah 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 Utah ranges from the high Uinta and central mountains (zone 4a) to the southwest Dixie around St. George (zone 9a) — a span of 4a-9a — even though it is a single state.
Did Utah'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 Utah, shifted to the next warmer half-zone versus the 2012 map. The 4a-9a range here reflects the current 2023 map. Always confirm your address against the official USDA map for plant-survival decisions.