USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8

Zone 8 covers winter lows from 10°F to 20°F, split into 8a (10 to 15°F) and 8b (15 to 20°F).

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8 is a mild-winter zone where the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature falls between 10 and 20 degrees F. This puts it among the warmer zones in the continental United States, giving gardeners a long window to grow and a wide palette of plants that would freeze out farther north. Zone 8 is often split into 8a (10 to 15 F) and 8b (15 to 20 F) for finer planning.

Climate and where it is found

Zone 8 covers much of the lower South and parts of the West Coast, including large stretches of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas, along with the coastal and valley areas of western Oregon and Washington and parts of the Southwest. Winters are short and comparatively mild, with only brief hard freezes, while summers range from hot and humid in the Southeast to warm and dry in the West. The growing season is long, commonly running from roughly 200 to 250 frost-free days depending on location. Last spring frosts typically clear by mid-to-late March, and first fall frosts often hold off until November.

States most often in Zone 8

Based on locations in our database, these states have the most ZIP codes falling in Zone 8:

What grows in Zone 8

The mild winters let a broad range of perennials, shrubs, and trees overwinter reliably, including many that cannot survive colder zones. Broadleaf evergreens, figs, many citrus in the warmer parts, crepe myrtle, camellias, and a wide selection of ornamental grasses do well here. Cool-season vegetables can be grown through much of the winter with little or no protection, and warm-season crops have plenty of heat and time to mature. Perennial herbs such as rosemary and thyme usually survive the winter in place, and hardy bulbs and fruit trees that need only a moderate amount of winter chill also perform well.

• Figs
• Crepe myrtle and camellias
• Low-chill peaches and citrus (warmer areas)
• Tomatoes, peppers, and okra
• Cool-season greens such as kale, collards, and lettuce
• Sweet potatoes
• Perennial herbs like rosemary and thyme
• Blackberries and blueberries

Gardening tips for Zone 8

Plan two main planting waves: warm-season crops after the last spring frost in March, and cool-season crops in late summer and fall for winter harvest. Because hard freezes still happen, keep row cover or an old sheet on hand to protect tender plants during brief cold snaps, and site frost-sensitive plants where they are less exposed. When choosing fruit and nut trees, check the chill-hour requirement and pick low-chill varieties suited to the zone so they set fruit reliably. The long season also allows succession planting, so stagger sowings of quick crops every few weeks to keep a steady harvest.

Sample locations in Zone 8

Open any location for its live weather, frost dates, and planting calendar:

Related tools

Hardiness zones tell you what survives winter. To decide when to plant, check your frost dates and planting calendar, and browse crops and growing guides for individual plants.

Zone boundaries follow the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which is based on 1991-2020 winter minimum temperatures. Local microclimates, elevation, and unusual winters can differ from the map. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.