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Planting zones · Lakewood, Colorado

What Planting Zone Is Lakewood?

Lakewood is in USDA zone 6a. West Denver-metro city against the foothills at about 5,600 ft, a bit wetter and snowier than downtown Denver (about 17.5 in. of precipitation and 58 in. of snow).

  • USDA zone (2023)6a
  • Coldest night (avg.)-10 to -5°FZIP 80226
  • Median last frostMay 332°F
  • Median first frostOct 732°F
  • Annual precipitation18 inches
  • Frost-free season155 days

Lakewood hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Lakewood fall in zone 6a; 80226 (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 Lakewood ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
802156a-10 to -5°F
802266a-10 to -5°F
802276a-10 to -5°F
802286a-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 Lakewood is May 3 and the median first fall frost is Oct 7, a typical frost-free season of about 155 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (May 3), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Oct 7) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.

Rainfall and heat in Lakewood

Average annual precipitation is 18 inches (Lakewood, 1991–2020), spread across the year with May the wettest month and December the driest.

The average high in July is about 86°F and the average low in December is about 20°F, measured at about 5,640 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 Lakewood

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 Lakewood?

Lakewood, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (80215: 6a, 80226: 6a, 80227: 6a, 80228: 6a). In 80226, the average coldest night of the year is -10 to -5°F.

When is the last frost in Lakewood?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Lakewood is May 3 and the median first fall frost is Oct 7, a typical frost-free season of about 155 days.

How much rain does Lakewood get?

Average annual precipitation is 18 inches (Lakewood, 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, Lakewood (USC00054762). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov