US Grow Zones

USDA hardiness zone 12b

Last updated · Sources: PRISM/OSU 2023 ZIP zone listings; NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals; U.S. Census ZCTA centers — see methodology

In zone 12b, the average annual extreme minimum temperature is 55 to 60°F (12.8 to 15.6°C), based on 1991–2020 data from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Temperature range55 to 60°F12.8 to 15.6°C
ZIP codes137in this half-zone
Major cities1on this site
Typical last frostRare30% risk

What zone 12b means for your garden

A plant labeled "hardy to zone 12b" should survive a typical winter low of 55°F. Tropical and subtropical plants are an option, but many temperate fruit trees may not get enough winter chill. Zone 12a is the colder half of zone 12.

ZIP codes in zone 12b: 95 in Hawaii, 42 in Puerto Rico. New to zones? Read how to read your hardiness zone.

Where zone 12b occurs: ZIP code dot mapDot map of the 137 ZIP codes listed in zone 12b in the 2023 PRISM/OSU ZIP code listings (95 in Hawaii, 42 in Puerto Rico). Each dark dot marks ZIP code centers in this zone; light gray dots show all other U.S. ZIP codes.
Each red dot is the center of a ZIP code (Census ZCTA) that the 2023 PRISM/OSU listings place in zone 12b; gray dots are all other ZIP codes. This is our own rendering of ZIP code data and is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov for the official map.

Frost dates in zone 12b

In all 1 major cities in zone 12b, a 32°F frost is rare (NOAA cannot compute frost dates). Gardens here grow year-round; timing is driven by heat and rainfall more than by frost.

Planting calendar for zone 12b

CropPlanting windows (frost-free climate)
TomatoJan 15 – Mar 31; Aug 1 – Sep 15
PepperFeb 1 – Apr 15; Jul 15 – Aug 31
LettuceSep 15 – Feb 15
Green BeansFeb 15 – Apr 30; Aug 15 – Sep 30
Sweet CornFeb 15 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Aug 31
Zucchini & Summer SquashFeb 15 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15
CucumberFeb 15 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15
CarrotSep 1 – Feb 28
OnionOct 15 – Jan 15
PotatoJan 1 – Feb 28; Sep 1 – Oct 15
BasilMar 1 – Jun 30; Aug 15 – Sep 30
SpinachOct 1 – Feb 15
KaleSep 1 – Feb 15
BroccoliSep 1 – Jan 15
PeasOct 1 – Jan 31
EggplantFeb 15 – Apr 30; Jul 15 – Aug 31
CabbageSep 1 – Jan 31
RadishSep 15 – Mar 15
StrawberryOct 1 – Nov 30
BeetsSep 15 – Feb 28

Cities in zone 12b (1)

Major cities whose center falls in zone 12b:

← Zone 12a · Zone 13a → · All zones

Zone 12b questions

How cold does it get in zone 12b?

Zone 12b is defined by an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 55 to 60°F (12.8 to 15.6°C) for 1991–2020 — the average of each year's single coldest night, not the record low. Individual winters can be colder, so plants rated exactly for zone 12b carry some risk in a severe year.

Does zone 12b get frost?

Rarely. 1 major cities, frost rare. Gardens in zone 12b are planted by season and heat rather than by frost date.

Which states have zone 12b?

The 2023 listings put 137 ZIP codes in zone 12b, spread over 2 states and territories. The most are in Hawaii (95), Puerto Rico (42).

Did zone 12b grow on the 2023 map?

Yes: 135 ZIP codes were in zone 12b on the 2012 map and 137 are on the 2023 map (+2). Of today's zone 12b ZIP codes that were also listed in 2012, 13% were in a colder zone then, 85% were already 12b, and 2% were in a warmer zone. What changed in 2023.

Which big cities are in zone 12b?

The largest cities on this site in zone 12b are Honolulu, HI; 1 cities in all are listed below.