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Planting zones · Aurora, Colorado

What Planting Zone Is Aurora?

Aurora is in USDA zone 6a. Eastern Denver-metro city on the high plains at about 5,400 ft. The nearest normals station, Denver International Airport, averages about 14.5 in. of precipitation, with a median last frost of May 5 and first frost of October 9.

  • USDA zone (2023)6a
  • Coldest night (avg.)-10 to -5°FZIP 80010
  • Median last frostMay 532°F
  • Median first frostOct 932°F
  • Annual precipitation14 inches
  • Frost-free season156 days

Aurora hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Aurora fall in zone 6a; 80010 (zone 6a) has an average annual extreme minimum of -10 to -5°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 6.

2023 USDA zone for sampled Aurora ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
800106a-10 to -5°F
800136a-10 to -5°F
800166a-10 to -5°F
800176a-10 to -5°F

Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.

Frost dates and when to plant

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Denver Intl Airport (nearest normals station to Aurora) is May 5 and the median first fall frost is Oct 9, a typical frost-free season of about 156 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (May 5), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Oct 9) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.

Rainfall and heat in Aurora

Average annual precipitation is 14 inches (Denver Intl Airport (nearest normals station to Aurora), 1991–2020), spread across the year with May the wettest month and December the driest.

The average high in July is about 90°F and the average low in December is about 18°F, measured at about 5,410 ft.

That is why a zone rating alone isn't enough for a xeriscape here: pick plants that are both cold-hardy to zone 6 and rated very low or low water once established.

Low-water plants for Aurora

72 plants in our database are hardy to zone 6 and suited to zone 6. Here are 12, driest first, across plant types.

See all zone 6 plants

Frequently asked questions

What planting zone is Aurora?

Aurora, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (80010: 6a, 80013: 6a, 80016: 6a, 80017: 6a). In 80010, the average coldest night of the year is -10 to -5°F.

When is the last frost in Aurora?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Denver Intl Airport (nearest normals station to Aurora) is May 5 and the median first fall frost is Oct 9, a typical frost-free season of about 156 days.

How much rain does Aurora get?

Average annual precipitation is 14 inches (Denver Intl Airport (nearest normals station to Aurora), 1991–2020), spread across the year with May the wettest month and December the driest.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Denver Intl Airport (nearest normals station to Aurora) (USW00003017). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov