What Planting Zones Are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island spans USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7b, where the average coldest winter night ranges from −5 °F to 10 °F (−20.6 °C to −12.2 °C). Zone 7a covers the most ZIP codes, 53%, and zones 6b to 7a together cover 99% of the state.
Bars show each zone's share of the 88 Rhode Island ZIP codes in the official 2023 USDA ZIP code table; select a zone for its temperatures and hardy plants.
What Hardiness Zone Are Rhode Island Cities In?
Providence is in zone 7a, Cranston is in zone 7a, Warwick is in zone 7a and Pawtucket is in zone 7a. The table lists the zone, winter low and average frost dates for 8 Rhode Island cities, using the ZIP code nearest each city center.
| City | ZIP | Zone | Winter low | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 02903 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Cranston | 02920 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Warwick | 02886 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Pawtucket | 02860 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| East Providence | 02914 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Woonsocket | 02895 | 6b | −5 °F to 0 °F | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Newport | 02840 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
| Central Falls | 02863 | 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
Zone: 2023 USDA ZIP code table for the ZIP code nearest each city's Census center point. Frost dates: 50% (median) dates from the nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020 normals. Cities: the largest Rhode Island places by 2024 Census population estimates, spread across the state, plus the largest place in each common zone. Large cities can span two half zones.
Which Parts of Rhode Island Are in Each Zone?
Zone 6b, the coldest Rhode Island zone, covers 45% of ZIP codes around Woonsocket. Zone 7a, the warmest with towns, covers 53% around Providence, Cranston and Warwick. The table lists the largest places in every zone.
| Zone | Avg. coldest night | Share of ZIPs | Largest places in this zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6b | −5 °F to 0 °F | 45% (40) | Woonsocket |
| Zone 7a | 0 °F to 5 °F | 53% (47) | Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket |
| Zone 7b | 5 °F to 10 °F | 1% (1) | Rural ZIP codes only |
Places: incorporated places with 1,000+ residents, assigned the zone of the ZIP code nearest their Census center point.
What Do the Hardiness Zones Mean for Rhode Island Gardeners?
A Rhode Island gardener in zone 7b sees winter lows about 10 °F milder than one in zone 6b, so a shrub or perennial that thrives in one part of the state can die in another. Choose plants rated to your own ZIP code's zone or colder.
Hardiness zones follow latitude, elevation and large bodies of water rather than state lines. Higher ground and inland valleys that trap cold air usually sit in colder half zones, while cities, coasts and large lakes moderate winter lows. Within Rhode Island, a plant labelled “zones 6–7” survives winter in at least 99% of ZIP codes, but plants at the edge of their range benefit from mulch and a sheltered spot. Enter a ZIP code in the USDA hardiness zone finder by ZIP code to check your exact half zone before buying perennials.
A zone describes winter cold only. Summer heat, humidity, rainfall and soil decide whether a cold-hardy plant thrives, and planting dates for vegetables follow frost dates, not zones: two Rhode Island towns in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart.
What Plants Grow Well Across Rhode Island?
221 plants in PlantoScan's catalogue are hardy in every zone from 6b to 7a, the zones that cover 99% of Rhode Island ZIP codes. Popular examples include hydrangea, peony and daisy.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Zone 5 – 9
AI generated
Peony
Paeonia lactiflora
Zone 3 – 8
AI generated
- DaisyBellis perennisPlantoScan
Daisy
Bellis perennis
Zone 4a – 8b
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Zone 5a – 9b
PlantoscanAI generated
Poppy
Papaver somniferum
Zone 3a – 9b
AI generated
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
Zone 5a – 9b
AI generated
Daffodil
Narcissus poeticus
Zone 3 – 8
AI generated
Azalea
Azalea indica
Zone 6a – 9b
AI generated
Arugula
Eruca sativa
Zone 5a – 10b
AI generated
Hardiness ranges come from PlantoScan's plant database; gardeners in Rhode Island's colder or warmer edge zones should check each plant's full range.
When Is the Last Frost in Rhode Island?
Across most Rhode Island ZIP codes, the average last spring frost falls between April 11 and May 1, from April 7 in Newport to April 22 in Central Falls. Tender vegetables such as tomatoes go out 1 to 2 weeks after the local date.
The last and first frost dates for Rhode Island cities include the safer 90% planting date, the fall frost date, growing season length and a tomato planting table for each city.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What planting zone is Rhode Island?
- Rhode Island spans USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zone 7a is the most common, covering 53% of the state's 88 ZIP codes, and zones 6b to 7a together cover 99%.
- What hardiness zone is Providence, Rhode Island?
- Providence is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (ZIP 02903), where the average coldest winter night reaches 0 °F to 5 °F. Its average last spring frost is April 11 and its first fall frost October 30.
- What hardiness zone is Cranston, Rhode Island?
- Cranston is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (ZIP 02920), where the average coldest winter night reaches 0 °F to 5 °F. Its average last spring frost is April 11 and its first fall frost October 30.
- What hardiness zone is Warwick, Rhode Island?
- Warwick is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (ZIP 02886), where the average coldest winter night reaches 0 °F to 5 °F. Its average last spring frost is April 11 and its first fall frost October 30.
- What is the coldest hardiness zone in Rhode Island?
- Zone 6b (−5 °F to 0 °F) is the coldest zone in Rhode Island, found in 40 ZIP codes around Woonsocket. The warmest is zone 7b (5 °F to 10 °F).
Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP code table, USDA Agricultural Research Service and the PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University, used without changes. Frost dates: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. City locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.