Planting Zones of North Mississippi

Elvis Presley birth house in Tupelo

North Mississippi is in planting zones 8a and 8b, with a few northern counties in zone 7b. Here, winter temperatures can drop to as low as 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant cool-season grasses between late August and September and warm-season grasses from May to June. 

Knowing your planting zone helps you choose the right grass and plants for your yard. This article will go deeper into each planting zone in north Mississippi and explain what that means for you. 

Check out the links below to see planting zone guides for other Mississippi regions:

Overview of north Mississippi planting zones 

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
USDA

Most of northern Mississippi is in hardiness zones 8a and 8b. A significant portion of north Mississippi and the Golden Triangle region and some counties of the Delta fall in zone 8a. The remaining parts of the Golden Triangle region and the Delta come under zone 8b. 

Some parts of Marshall, Lafayette, Benton, Tippah, Alcorn, Tishomingo, and Prentiss counties in north Mississippi fall in zone 7b. Here’s a county map of northern Mississippi:

Zone 7b: The northeast corner of Mississippi

North Mississippi map

Zone 7b has hot summers and mild winters, with minimum winter temperatures ranging from 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The last frost date in spring is between March 22 and April 3, and the first frost of fall generally arrives between Oct. 29 to Nov. 15.

Regions in this zone enjoy a medium to long growing season and can host a variety of plants. 

Best grasses for zone 7b

Both cool- and warm-season grasses perform well in zone 7b. The best time to plant cool-season grasses is from late August to September and from May to June for warm-season grasses. 

Cool-season grasses:

Warm-season grasses:

Best plants for zone 7b

Zone 7b has a medium to long growing season. Here are some plants that thrive in this zone: 

Flowers:

  • Calla lily
  • Dahlia
  • Iris
  • Rose
  • Peony

Trees and shrubs: 

  • American elm
  • Azalea
  • Hydrangea
  • Japanese maple
  • Eastern redbud

Zone 8a: Most of north Mississippi, the Golden Triangle region and some parts of the Delta

This zone has warm summers and mild winters, with minimum temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The average last frost date in spring is between March 13 and March 28, and the first frost in fall is between Nov. 7 and Nov. 28.

Zone 8a has a long growing season, and winters usually don’t reach the minimum temperatures. 

Best grasses for zone 8a

Zone 8a is ideal for warm-season grasses, and the best time to plant them is from May to June.

  • Bermudagrass
  • Centipedegrass
  • Zoysiagrass

Best plants for zone 8a

From perennials to annuals to evergreens, this zone can host a variety of plants. Here are some of the best options: 

Flowers:

  • Abelia
  • Mexican petunia
  • Nerium oleander
  • Salvia
  • Yarrow

Trees and shrubs:

  • Crepe myrtle
  • Queen palm
  • Green ash
  • Southern magnolia
  • Juniper

Zone 8b: Some counties of the Golden Triangle region and the Delta

Zone 8b is a warm zone with hot summers and mild winters. The minimum winter temperature ranges from 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, though it usually doesn’t reach this level. The last frost date in spring is from March 13 to March 28, and the first frost in fall is from Nov. 7 to Nov. 28. 

If you live in this zone, you can host a variety of plants because of the long growing season. 

Best grasses for zone 8b

This zone experiences a warm climate, which is ideal for warm-season grasses. May to June is the best time to plant them. 

  • Bermudagrass
  • Centipedegrass
  • Zoysiagrass

Best plants for zone 8b

Zone 8b has a long growing season. Here are some plants that thrive in this zone:

Flowers:

  • Phlox
  • Iris
  • Dahlia
  • Begonia
  • Gladiolus

Trees and shrubs: 

  • Live oak
  • Southern red oak
  • Monkey puzzle
  • Queen palm
  • Southern magnolia

Planting zones of north Mississippi, by city 

Here are the planting zones of major cities of north Mississippi:

Ackerman – Zone 8a 

Ashland – Zone 7b 

Batesville – Zone 8a 

Booneville – Zone 8a 

Calhoun City – Zone 8a 

Carrollton – Zone 8a 

Charleston – Zone 8b 

Clarksdale – Zone 8b 

Columbus – Zone 8b 

Corinth – Zone 7b 

Eupora – Zone 8a 

Fulton – Zone 8a 

Greenwood – Zone 8b 

Grenada – Zone 8a 

Holly Springs – Zone 7b

Houston – Zone 8a 

Kosciusko – Zone 8a 

Louisville – Zone 8a 

Marks – Zone 8a 

New Albany – Zone 8a 

Oxford – Zone 8a 

Pontotoc – Zone 8a 

Ripley – Zone 7b 

Rochester – Zone 8a 

Senatobia – Zone 8a 

Southaven – Zone 8a

Starkville – Zone 8a 

Tishomingo – Zone 7b 

Tunica – Zone 8a 

Tupelo – Zone 8a 

Water Valley – Zone 8b 

West Point – Zone 8a 

Winona – Zone 8a 

FAQs

When is the best time to plant in northern Mississippi?

If you’re in northern Mississippi, plant seeds between April and late October so roots have enough time to establish before the winter chill. 

Can I rely on plant hardiness zones to determine plant survival? 

Yes, but you shouldn’t solely rely on them. The USDA Hardiness zone map gives a rough idea of which plants thrive in a specific region, but other factors like soil type, rainfall, summer heat, and snow also affect plant survival. 

When to hire a professional

Most of northern Mississippi is in zones 8a and 8b. Knowing your hardiness zone is just the beginning of building a beautiful lawn. If you need help with mowing, fertilization, or anything related to lawn care, get in touch with Lawn Love. Our seasoned professionals can assist you with everything. 

Main Image Credit: Mick Wright | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0

Abdul Wadood

Abdul Wadood is a professional writer and landscaping hobbyist who thinks beautiful lawns make the world a better place. When he’s not working in the yard, he enjoys visiting botanical gardens and relaxing in nature.