USDA hardiness zone lookup
Orlando (32801) — USDA Zone 9b
Orlando, Florida · 285-day growing season
Frost dates and growing season for 32801
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9b |
|---|---|
| Average last spring frost | February 20 |
| Average first fall frost | December 1 |
| Growing season length | ~285 days |
| Temperature range (F) | 20 to 30°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -7 to -1°C |
These are 50%-probability averages modeled from this ZIP's USDA hardiness zone and regional climate normals — not a single-station reading. In a typical year the last spring frost will have passed by February 20, but in a colder-than-average year it can run 1-2 weeks later. Plant tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) once both soil and night temperatures are consistently warm — a thermometer beats the calendar.
Growing season in Orlando
Orlando, Florida sits in USDA Zone 9b, with roughly 285 frost-free days between an average last spring frost around February 20 and a first fall frost around December 1. That is a near year-round season — the limiting factor is summer heat, not frost, so schedule cool-season crops for winter and protect tender ones from extreme highs. Orlando lies near 28.5°N; higher-latitude gardens get longer midsummer days but a tighter shoulder season at this zone.
What grows in Orlando
Orlando falls in USDA Zone 9b, which means the same hardiness constraints apply as the full Zone 9 guide. Vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees rated to Zone 9b (or hardier) will overwinter here in a typical year.
- Tomatoes (year-round in many areas)
- Peppers (all year)
- Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit)
- Avocado
- Mango (warmer areas)
- Banana
- Sweet potatoes
- Okra
- Southern peas
- Pomegranates
What to plant in Orlando this week
Orlando is in the winter hold — outdoor planting is on pause. Use this time to plan, order seeds, and prep beds. Tomato and pepper seeds can start indoors 6-10 weeks before your last frost (February 20).
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 9
- When to plant peppers in zone 9
- When to plant basil in zone 9
- When to plant lettuce in zone 9
- When to plant peas in zone 9
Full planting calendar for Orlando
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates calibrated to zone 9 averages:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 9
- When to plant peppers in zone 9
- When to plant basil in zone 9
- When to plant garlic in zone 9
- When to plant lettuce in zone 9
- When to plant bush beans in zone 9
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 9
- When to plant summer squash in zone 9
- When to plant peas in zone 9
- When to plant carrots in zone 9
Local microclimate notes
Zone tables give you the average — but Orlandogardens vary. South-facing walls and paved areas can run a full half-zone warmer than the published rating. Low-lying spots, frost pockets, and shaded north sides can run colder. If you've gardened here a few seasons, your own frost record (the last time you actually got frost damage) is more accurate than any national average.
Source and methodology
Hardiness zone from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023 revision). Frost-date and growing-season figures are modeled from this ZIP's USDA hardiness zone and regional NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals — they are zone-level estimates, not a per-station record, so treat them as planning guidance and confirm against your own local frost history. Crop recommendations are drawn from US Cooperative Extension references and curated by the Growli editorial team. Last reviewed May 2026.
Nearby ZIP codes in Florida
- 33101 — Miami (Zone 11a)
- 33139 — Miami Beach (Zone 11a)
- 33308 — Fort Lauderdale (Zone 10b)
- 33401 — West Palm Beach (Zone 10b)
- 33602 — Tampa (Zone 10a)
- 33701 — St. Petersburg (Zone 10a)
- 32202 — Jacksonville (Zone 9a)
- 32301 — Tallahassee (Zone 9a)
- 34108 — Naples (Zone 10b)
- 33040 — Key West (Zone 12a)
- 34601 — Brooksville (Zone 9a)
- 33990 — Cape Coral (Zone 10a)
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