Pennsylvania Planting Zones – Growing Zones Guide

What Planting Zone Is Pennsylvania In?

Pennsylvania sits at the crossroads of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with climates shaped by the Appalachians, river valleys, and Lake Erie. On the latest 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Pennsylvania runs roughly from zone 5a to zone 7b

• Northern Highlands & Northern Tier: Higher elevations and northern counties (Bradford, McKean, Potter, Susquehanna, etc.) are mostly zones 5a–6a, with cold, snowy winters and short but productive summers.
• Poconos & Northeast Mountains: The Pocono Plateau and nearby valleys around Scranton–Wilkes-Barre and Stroudsburg sit mainly in zones 5b–6b, with long winters, cool nights, and frequent spring frosts.
• Allegheny Plateau & Pittsburgh Region: Pittsburgh and much of western and southwestern Pennsylvania fall around zones 6a–7a, enjoying four distinct seasons, warm summers, and a moderate growing season.
• Central Valleys & Ridges: State College, Harrisburg, York, and much of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys are generally zones 6a–7a, with good conditions for fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals that like a bit of winter chill.
• Southeastern Lowlands & Philadelphia Metro: Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Lancaster, and nearby suburbs lie mostly in zones 6b–7b. Winters are relatively mild, and the growing season is among the longest in the state.
• Lake Erie Shore & Northwest Snowbelt: Erie and surrounding communities are influenced by lake-effect snow and moderating waters, landing in zones 6a–6b, with cold winters, cool springs, and generous summer moisture.

USDA Hardiness Zone Map for Pennsylvania

The updated 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is based on 30-year averages (1991–2020) of each location’s coldest winter temperatures. In Pennsylvania, the map highlights a clear gradient: colder zones in the northern highlands and higher ridges, and warmer zones along the southeast, in river valleys, and in urban heat islands such as downtown Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

A simplified Pennsylvania planting zone map based on the USDA 2023 Hardiness Zone Map, using 1991–2020 climate data.

Use the zone map together with your ZIP code to pinpoint your exact Pennsylvania garden zone. Look up your Pennsylvania planting zone by ZIP code using the USDA tool, then come back here or visit our Plant Finder for plants tailored to your zone, soil, and sun conditions.

Pennsylvania Growing Zones by Region

On a map, Pennsylvania might look compact, but its growing zones and microclimates are surprisingly varied. Elevation, slope, proximity to rivers or lakes, pavement and brick, and even neighborhood tree cover can nudge conditions a half to a full zone warmer or colder from one garden to the next.

Southeastern Lowlands & Philadelphia Metro (Approx. Zones 6b–7b)

This region includes Philadelphia and its suburbs, the Delaware Valley, and much of Lancaster, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties—plus the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton).

• Long growing seasons and comparatively mild winters make this area excellent for a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
• Urban heat islands in dense city neighborhoods may support some borderline-tender perennials and shrubs when planted in protected courtyards.
• Humid summers, clay or compacted soils, and occasional heavy rains mean good drainage, mulching, and disease-resistant varieties are key.

South-Central Valleys & Dutch Country (Approx. Zones 6a–7b)

Harrisburg, York, Lancaster County farmland, Gettysburg, and much of the lower Susquehanna Valley sit in a relatively mild belt with rich soils and strong agricultural traditions.

• Great for apples, peaches, sweet corn, pumpkins, and mixed vegetable gardens that appreciate warm summers and moderate winters.
• Average last frosts typically arrive in late April; first frosts often hold off until mid–late October, giving ~150–200 frost-free days, depending on elevation and valley position.
• Humidity favors fungal diseases on roses, tomatoes, and cucurbits—good air circulation, crop rotation, and mulching help.

Allegheny Plateau & Pittsburgh Region (Approx. Zones 6a–7a)

Pittsburgh and surrounding communities (Monroeville, Cranberry, Mt. Lebanon, Washington) occupy rolling hills and river valleys with four true seasons.

• Excellent for cool- and warm-season vegetables, small fruits, and ornamentals that like winter chill but not extreme cold.
• Average last frosts usually arrive in early–mid May (often near Mother’s Day); first frosts typically arrive by mid October, giving roughly 150–170 frost-free days.
• Heavy clay soils are common; raised beds, compost, and avoiding compaction when soils are wet are crucial.

Poconos & Northeast Mountains (Approx. Zones 5a–6b)

From Scranton–Wilkes-Barre to the Pocono resorts and higher ridgetops, this region is cooler and often snowier than the state average.

• Shorter growing seasons favor cold-hardy vegetables, brambles, and perennials adapted to cool nights.
• Average last frosts can linger into late April or early May; first frosts may return in late September or early October, especially at higher elevations.
• Season extension tools—row covers, low tunnels, and cold frames—stretch the harvest window.

Lake Erie Shore & Northwest Counties (Approx. Zones 5b–6b)

Erie and nearby communities experience cold, snowy winters with strong lake-effect events, but the lake also moderates extreme spring and fall temperatures.

• Good for cool-season vegetables, apples, grapes, and ornamentals that enjoy reliable winter chill.
• Average last frosts usually fall in early May; first frosts typically arrive in mid–late October, giving roughly 150–170 frost-free days.
• Wind exposure and heavy winter snow loads mean staking, windbreaks, and careful plant placement are important.

Best Plants for Pennsylvania Planting Zones

Once you know your Pennsylvania planting zone—and whether you garden on a windy ridge, in a river valley, or in a protected city courtyard—you can work with your climate instead of against it. Focus on plants rated for your hardiness zone (5–7) and time annual crops around your local frost dates and soil conditions.

Vegetables for Pennsylvania Growing Zones

• Cool-season crops (early spring and fall statewide): lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, collards, peas, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes.
• Warm-season crops (plant after your last frost): tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and other summer squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, beans, sweet corn, and melons in the warmest regions.
• Short-season & high-elevation favorites (zones 5–6): Quick-maturing salad mixes, baby carrots, radishes, bush beans, and compact determinate tomatoes grown under protection in cooler parts of the state.

Fruits & Trees for Pennsylvania Hardiness Zones

• Statewide staples (zones 5–7): apples, pears, cherries, plums, and apricots, matched to your chill hours and protected from late frosts.
• Small fruits: grapes, strawberries, currants, blackberries, and raspberries do well with full sun, good air flow, and consistent moisture.
• Warm-pocket experiments (zones 7a–7b): In sheltered, south-facing spots in southeastern cities, adventurous gardeners may trial hardy figs, pomegranates, or container citrus that can be moved indoors for winter.

Flowers & Ornamentals for Pennsylvania Garden Zones

• Reliable perennials: coneflower, black-eyed Susan, yarrow, catmint, lavender, and ornamental sages love sun and well-drained soil.
• Shade-garden classics: Hostas, ferns, heucheras, astilbes, and woodland phlox thrive under mature trees and along north-facing walls.
• Structural plants: Flowering dogwood, serviceberry, hydrangeas, lilacs, and ornamental grasses provide multi-season interest and habitat for birds and pollinators.

Native Plants for Pennsylvania Landscapes

Pennsylvania native plants are adapted to local soils, rainfall, and wildlife, making them resilient and ecologically valuable. Mix native wildflowers, shrubs, grasses, and trees for a landscape that feels naturally Pennsylvanian and supports bees, butterflies, and songbirds.

• Native wildflowers: purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), bee balm (Monarda), Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), and woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata).
• Native grasses: little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) for low-maintenance meadows and borders.
• Native shrubs & trees: redbud, serviceberry, winterberry holly, red maple, white oak, and black gum for structure, shade, fall color, and wildlife food.

Browse curated lists like great pollinator plants for Pennsylvania and monarch nectar plants for Pennsylvania to build a Pennsylvania garden that hums with life from early spring bulbs through autumn foliage.

Interactive Pennsylvania Planting Calendar (General Guide)

Tap a month to see what to plant in Pennsylvania by zone. Use this as a starting point, then adjust for your exact frost dates, elevation, and whether you garden in a warm southeastern valley, a central hill town, or a cool northern ridge.

Pennsylvania Gardening Tips by Zone

Pennsylvania gardeners juggle clay soils, humid summers, deer and groundhogs, late spring frosts, and shifting hardiness zones. These tips help your plants thrive from zone 5a to 7b:

• Know your microclimate. A sheltered rowhouse yard in Philadelphia may behave like a warmer zone 7b, while a windy hilltop in the Poconos feels like a colder zone 5.
• Time your seasons. In the southeast, you can start earlier in spring and keep growing later into fall; in the north and at higher elevations, focus on compact, quick-maturing varieties and season extension tools.
• Improve heavy soils. Much of Pennsylvania has clay or compacted soils—add compost regularly, avoid tilling when soil is wet, and consider raised beds for vegetables.
• Water wisely. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses under mulch to limit foliar diseases and conserve water during dry spells.
• Embrace mulch. Organic mulches moderate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and reduce splash-borne diseases on tomatoes, roses, and cucurbits.
• Rotate crops. Moving plant families around the garden each year helps manage pests and soil-borne diseases, especially in humid climates.
• Plan for wildlife. Use fencing, cages, and resistant plant choices to coexist with deer, rabbits, and groundhogs.
• Lean on natives. Let native trees, shrubs, and perennials form the backbone of your landscape, with more water-hungry or tender plants tucked into key spots.