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Planting zones · Mesa, Arizona

What Planting Zone Is Mesa?

Mesa is in USDA zone 9b–10a. East Valley Sonoran Desert city at about 1,200 ft with about 8.7 in. of precipitation, more than half of it November–March and a secondary peak in the summer monsoon.

  • USDA zone (2023)9b–10a
  • Coldest night (avg.)25 to 30°FZIP 85201
  • Annual precipitation8.7 inches

Mesa hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Mesa fall in zones 9b to 10a; 85201 (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 Mesa ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
852019b25 to 30°F
8521010a30 to 35°F
852159b25 to 30°F

Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.

Frost dates and when to plant

With frost rare, you can plant most of the year; fall and winter plantings benefit from the rainy season.

Rainfall and heat in Mesa

Average annual precipitation is 8.7 inches (Mesa, 1991–2020), and 56% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (June is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.

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 Mesa

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 Mesa?

Mesa, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b–10a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (85201: 9b, 85210: 10a, 85215: 9b). In 85201, the average coldest night of the year is 25 to 30°F.

When is the last frost in Mesa?

NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for the nearest station don't include frost dates for Mesa.

How much rain does Mesa get?

Average annual precipitation is 8.7 inches (Mesa, 1991–2020), and 56% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (June 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, Mesa (USC00025467). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov