| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| • Zone 4a is Nevada's rarest zone: It appears only in a small pocket of Elko County between Wild Horse and Mountain City. • Last spring frost can stretch into June: Northeastern mountain zones stay frosty late, while the Mojave south can thaw by February. • Zone 10a hugs the Colorado River: This warmest Nevada zone appears only near Lake Mohave in southernmost Clark County. |
Nevada planting zones span 13 zones, from 4a to 10a, making it essential to know which zone you’re in to choose the best plants for your yard. With such a diverse climate in the Silver State, figuring out your specific zone might not be easy.
In this article, we’ll walk through every Nevada region and its planting zone, so you can make smart choices for your landscape.
Whether you’re in the cold northern mountains near Elko, the central valleys around Reno, the Las Vegas area, or the hot Mojave along the Colorado River, it covers each area.
Once you know your zone, a Lawn Love gardener can help you plant and maintain a yard that thrives in it.
What planting zone is Nevada?
Nevada falls within USDA plant hardiness zones 4a to 10a, though most of the state sits in zones 6a to 7a. The coldest zones (4a to 5b) cover the Elko Hills in the northeast.
The warmest zones (8a to 10a) stretch across the southern Mojave Desert, including Las Vegas. Central and western Nevada land mostly in the milder middle zones.
Below is a breakdown of each Nevada planting zone, its temperature range, and where to find it, so you can match perennials to the conditions in your area.
| Zone | Avg. minimum temp (degrees) | Example Nevada areas |
|---|---|---|
| 4a and 4b | -30 to -20 | Wild Horse, Mountain City (Elko County) |
| 5a and 5b | -20 to -10 | Wells, Elko, Carlin, Ely |
| 6a and 6b | -10 to 0 | Winnemucca, Gardnerville, Austin |
| 7a and 7b | 0 to 10 | Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fallon |
| 8a and 8b | 10 to 20 | Pahrump, Beatty |
| 9a and 9b | 20 to 30 | Las Vegas (mostly 9b), North Las Vegas, Henderson |
| 10a | 30 to 35 | Colorado River near Lake Mohave |
Zone 4a and 4b
Zone 4a is the rarest planting zone in Nevada. This zone is found only in a small area in Elko County, between Wild Horse and Mountain City.
Zone 4b, on the other hand, is slightly less cold. In Nevada, this zone is found only in the area surrounding zone 4a in Elko County.
Vegetation in these zones needs to be exceptionally tough to withstand the cold winter temperatures, often growing close to the ground to survive the harsh conditions.
You can learn about how to choose plants for these areas in our guide: “How to Use the Plant Hardiness Zone Map in Your Yard.”
Zone 5a and 5b
Zone 5a isn’t widespread in Nevada either, but it is found in a few small areas. It is mostly found in:
- Central Elko County, including the city of Wells
- A small area in eastern Eureka County
- Central White Pine County, including parts of the city of Ely
- A small area in northern Nye County, near the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Zone 5b, on the other hand, is more widespread in Nevada, being found in significant portions of northeastern Nevada. However, the regions where this zone can be found are generally not heavily populated.
Here are the areas where zone 5b can be found:
- Elko County, including the cities of Elko and Carlin
- White Pine County, covering parts of the city of Ely
- Most of Eureka County
- Southern Lander County
- Small areas in northern Nye and Lincoln counties
- A small area in northern Washoe and Humboldt counties, near the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge
- An area in eastern Churchill County
Pro Tip: Not sure which zone covers your street? Type your ZIP code into the USDA plant hardiness zone map for a precise read.
Zone 6a and 6b
Zone 6a and 6b are milder, making them ideal if you want a lush lawn.
These zones are present in almost all Nevada counties, but more significantly in central and northern Nevada. Here is a list of some cities, towns, and areas located within zone 6a:
- White Pine County: Baker and Lund
- Eureka County: Eureka
- Lander County: Kingston
- Humboldt County: Orovada and Paradise Valley
- Lincoln County: Atlanta
- Clark County: The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Notable locations for zone 6b include Winnemucca, in Humboldt County, Gardnerville, in Douglas County, and Austin, in Lander County.
Zone 7a and 7b
Zone 7a and 7b both provide a milder climate, and they’re situated mainly in central and western Nevada.
These zones encompass several important areas, including:
- Reno and Sparks, in Washoe County
- Carson City
- Fallon, in Churchill County
- Tonopah, in Nye County
- Yerington, in Lyon County
Read more: The Best Grass for Northern Nevada
Zone 8a and 8b
Zone 8a is a warm planting zone. This zone can mostly be found in south central Nevada, particularly in the counties of Lincoln, southern Nye, and northern Clark. The city of Pahrump, in Nye County, is within this zone.
Zone 8b is found in southern Lincoln and Nye counties and throughout Clark County. The city of Beatty, in Nye County, is in this zone.
Zone 9a and 9b
Zone 9a is mainly found in Clark County, including the western edge of Las Vegas and some areas in North Las Vegas.
Zone 9b is found only in Clark County, particularly in the area surrounding the Colorado River. This zone includes the city of Henderson, as well as most of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.
In these zones, plants must tolerate both drought and intense summer heat to thrive.
Read more:
Zone 10a
- Zone 10a is found only in a small section of Clark County, in the southernmost part of the Colorado River that passes through Nevada, near Lake Mohave.
- To learn which natives suit your landscape, read our guide: “Nevada Native Plants for Your Landscape.”
Frost dates in Nevada
Nevada’s last spring frost ranges from as early as February in the Mojave south to as late as June in the northeastern mountains, so your zone hints at when it’s safe to plant. The colder the zone, the later the last spring frost and the shorter your growing season.
In the northern zones (4a to 6b), around Elko, Ely, and Winnemucca, frost can linger into late spring and return early in the fall. Wait until the ground warms before planting, and watch for surprise cold snaps even in summer.
In the warmer southern zones (8a to 10a), around Las Vegas, Henderson, and Pahrump, frost is rare and brief. You can plant earlier and keep a garden going through much of the year, as long as plants can handle the heat.
For exact first and last frost dates near you, check with your local extension office before you plant.
Read more: When Does Grass Stop Growing?
What grows well in Nevada
What grows well in Nevada: drought- and heat-tolerant natives, hardy perennials, ornamental grasses, and lawn grasses rated for your zone. Which of these fit depends on where you live, but drought tolerance matters almost everywhere in the Silver State.
- In the cooler northern zones: Hardy perennials, cold-tolerant shrubs, and cool-season grasses handle the long, frosty winters well.
- In the central zones: A wider mix of perennials, ornamental grasses, and lawn grasses thrives thanks to the milder climate.
- In the warm southern zones: Heat- and drought-loving native plants, succulents, and desert-adapted shrubs are your safest bets.
Whatever your region, choosing plants rated for your zone saves money and heartache, and native, drought-resistant species reward you with less watering and better survival.
As Stephen L. Buchmann of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, notes about choosing native plants suited to your area, “This will require less TLC and save you money and heartaches.”
Read more:
Make Nevada lawn care easy
Nevada’s diverse range of planting zones can make it challenging to choose the best plants for your yard. If you’d rather enjoy spending time outdoors instead of figuring out planting zones, a Lawn Love gardener can handle it.
They can help you keep your landscape healthy and looking its best, season after season.
Read more:
FAQs
Nevada’s desert soils are often sandy, alkaline, and low in organic matter. Work in compost or aged manure to improve moisture retention and nutrients, and add elemental sulfur to lower high pH. For heavy caliche layers, break them up or build raised beds so roots can establish.
Each numbered zone splits into a colder “a” half and a warmer “b” half, each covering a 5-degree band of average winter lows. So zone 5a is colder than zone 5b, and any lower number or “a” designation signals harsher winters and a shorter growing season.
Yes, you can grow vegetables across Nevada, but your frost window sets the pace: Southern zones allow a long warm-season harvest, while northern zones need indoor seed starting or row covers to stretch their short growing window.
Let Lawn Love help
Not every lawn job fits into a free weekend. Lawn Love’s local lawn care pros can take it off your hands with our gardener service. Get a free estimate and see what a pro can do for your lawn.
Main Photo: Robison house in Sparks, Nevada, representing a Nevada home landscape. Photo Credit: Ammodramus | Wikimedia Commons | CC0 1.0
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