Planting Zones of South Mississippi

lawn in front of a house in Biloxi

Most of south Mississippi is in planting zone 8b, with extreme minimum temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-season grasses are the best choice for this region. Plant them between May and June. 

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

If you want to know the planting zones for other Mississippi regions, check out our guides below: 

Overview of south Mississippi planting zones

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
USDA

The entire Pine Belt and southwest region, and the lower parts of the east central and Capital Region, fall in zone 8b. Most of the coastal region is in zone 9a. Here’s a county map of south Mississippi: 

county map of south Mississippi

Zone 8b: Pine Belt and Southwest region

Zone 8b has hot summers and mild winters, with extreme minimum temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The last frost date in spring generally occurs between March 13 and March 28, and you can expect the first frost of fall between Nov. 7 and Nov. 28. 

The growing season in this zone is long, and can host a variety of plants. 

Best grasses for zone 8b

Warm-season grasses are ideal for zone 8b, and the best time to plant them is from May to June. 

Best plants for zone 8b

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

Flowers:

  • Phlox
  • Iris
  • Dahlia
  • Begonia
  • Gladiolus

Trees and shrubs: 

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

Zone 9a: Gulf Coast

Zone 9a is a warm zone with warm summers and mild winters. The minimum winter temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The last frost date in spring generally occurs between Feb. 6 and 28, and the first frost date in fall occurs between Nov. 25 and Dec. 13.

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

Best grasses for zone 9a

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

  • Bermudagrass
  • Centipedegrass
  • Zoysiagrass
  • St. Augustinegrass

Best plants for zone 9a

Zone 9a has a long growing season. Here are some plants that thrive in this zone: 

Flowers:

  • Begonia
  • Hibiscus
  • Peony
  • Angelonia
  • Iris

Trees and shrubs: 

  • Silver wattle
  • Pineapple guava
  • Bottlebrush
  • Camellia
  • Crape myrtle

Planting zones of south Mississippi, by city

Here are the planting zones of major cities in south Mississippi:

Bay Springs – Zone 8b 

Brookhaven – Zone 8b 

Cloverdale – Zone 8b 

Collins – Zone 8b

Columbia – Zone 8b 

Gulfport – Zone 9a 

Laurel Zone 8b 

Leakesville – Zone 8b 

Liberty – Zone 8b 

Lucedale – Zone 8b 

Magnolia – Zone 8b 

Meadville – Zone 8b 

Mendenhall – Zone 8b 

Monticello – Zone 8b 

New Augusta – Zone 8b 

Ocean Springs – Zone 9a 

Petal – Zone 8b 

Poplarville – Zone 9a 

Prentiss – Zone 8b 

Purvis – Zone 8b 

Quitman – Zone 8b 

Raleigh – Zone 8b

Tylertown – Zone 8b 

Waveland – Zone 9a 

Waynesboro – Zone 8b 

Wiggins – Zone 9a 

Woodville – Zone 9a 

FAQs

When is the best time to plant in south Mississippi?

If you’re in south Mississippi, late March to early November is the best time to plant so roots have enough time to develop before the winter chill. 

Can I extend the growing season in south Mississippi?

South Mississippi has a long growing season, but if you want to extend it further, use techniques like row covers, cold frames, and seed indoors before the last frost. 

When to hire a professional

Most of south Mississippi is in zone 8b, except for the Gulf Coast, which is in zone 9a. If you need help choosing the right plants or with anything related to lawn care, get in touch with Lawn Love. Our seasoned pros can transform your yard from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Main Image Credit: Woodlot | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0

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.