Skip to content

Planting zones · Amarillo, Texas

What Planting Zone Is Amarillo?

Amarillo is in USDA zone 7a. Texas Panhandle high plains at about 3,600 ft: about 20 in. of precipitation, wettest in August, and cold winters for Texas (zone 7a).

  • USDA zone (2023)7a
  • Coldest night (avg.)0 to 5°FZIP 79101
  • Median last frostApr 1332°F
  • Median first frostOct 2732°F
  • Annual precipitation20 inches
  • Frost-free season195 days

Amarillo hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Amarillo fall in zone 7a; 79101 (zone 7a) has an average annual extreme minimum of 0 to 5°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 7.

2023 USDA zone for sampled Amarillo ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
791017a0 to 5°F
791067a0 to 5°F
791097a0 to 5°F
791187a0 to 5°F

Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.

Frost dates and when to plant

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Amarillo Rick Husband Intl Airport is Apr 13 and the median first fall frost is Oct 27, a typical frost-free season of about 195 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (Apr 13), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Oct 27) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.

Rainfall and heat in Amarillo

Average annual precipitation is 20 inches (Amarillo Rick Husband Intl Airport, 1991–2020), spread across the year with August the wettest month and February the driest.

The average high in July is about 93°F and the average low in January is about 25°F, measured at about 3,590 ft.

That is why a zone rating alone isn't enough for a xeriscape here: pick plants that are both cold-hardy to zone 7 and rated very low or low water once established.

Low-water plants for Amarillo

75 plants in our database are hardy to zone 7 and suited to zone 7. Here are 12, driest first, across plant types.

See all zone 7 plants

Frequently asked questions

What planting zone is Amarillo?

Amarillo, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (79101: 7a, 79106: 7a, 79109: 7a, 79118: 7a). In 79101, the average coldest night of the year is 0 to 5°F.

When is the last frost in Amarillo?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Amarillo Rick Husband Intl Airport is Apr 13 and the median first fall frost is Oct 27, a typical frost-free season of about 195 days.

How much rain does Amarillo get?

Average annual precipitation is 20 inches (Amarillo Rick Husband Intl Airport, 1991–2020), spread across the year with August the wettest month and February the driest.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Amarillo Rick Husband Intl Airport (USW00023047). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov