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Planting zones · Henderson, Nevada

What Planting Zone Is Henderson?

Henderson is in USDA zone 9a–9b. Mojave Desert city on the southeast side of the Las Vegas Valley. Henderson has no NOAA normals station of its own; the nearest comparable valley station (Las Vegas NWS office) averages under 5 in. of precipitation and July highs near 106°F.

  • USDA zone (2023)9a–9b
  • Coldest night (avg.)25 to 30°FZIP 89002
  • Median last frostFeb 432°F
  • Median first frostDec 532°F
  • Annual precipitation4.8 inches
  • Frost-free season302 days

Henderson hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Henderson fall in zones 9a to 9b; 89002 (zone 9b) has an average annual extreme minimum of 25 to 30°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 9.

2023 USDA zone for sampled Henderson ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
890029b25 to 30°F
890129b25 to 30°F
890149b25 to 30°F
890529a20 to 25°F

Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.

Frost dates and when to plant

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Las Vegas NWS office (nearest normals station to Henderson) is Feb 4 and the median first fall frost is Dec 5, a typical frost-free season of about 302 days.

In the low desert, fall is the preferred planting season: roots grow through the mild winter before the first summer heat. Avoid planting in midsummer.

Rainfall and heat in Henderson

Average annual precipitation is 4.8 inches (Las Vegas NWS office (nearest normals station to Henderson), 1991–2020), and 58% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (May is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.

The average high in July is about 106°F and the average low in December is about 37°F, measured at about 2,270 ft.

That is why a zone rating alone isn't enough for a xeriscape here: pick plants that are both cold-hardy to zone 9 and rated very low or low water once established.

Low-water plants for Henderson

52 plants in our database are hardy to zone 9 and suited to zone 9. Here are 12, driest first, across plant types.

See all zone 9 plants

Frequently asked questions

What planting zone is Henderson?

Henderson, NV is in USDA hardiness zone 9a–9b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (89002: 9b, 89012: 9b, 89014: 9b, 89052: 9a). In 89002, the average coldest night of the year is 25 to 30°F.

When is the last frost in Henderson?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Las Vegas NWS office (nearest normals station to Henderson) is Feb 4 and the median first fall frost is Dec 5, a typical frost-free season of about 302 days.

How much rain does Henderson get?

Average annual precipitation is 4.8 inches (Las Vegas NWS office (nearest normals station to Henderson), 1991–2020), and 58% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (May is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Las Vegas NWS office (nearest normals station to Henderson) (USC00264439). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov