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Planting zones · Pueblo, Colorado

What Planting Zone Is Pueblo?

Pueblo is in USDA zone 6a. Arkansas River valley at about 4,700 ft: drier than Denver (about 12 in. of precipitation, 39% of it July–September) with hotter summers (July highs near 93°F).

  • USDA zone (2023)6a
  • Coldest night (avg.)-10 to -5°FZIP 81003
  • Median last frostApr 3032°F
  • Median first frostOct 932°F
  • Annual precipitation12 inches
  • Frost-free season161 days

Pueblo hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Pueblo fall in zone 6a; 81003 (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 Pueblo ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
810036a-10 to -5°F
810056a-10 to -5°F
810076a-10 to -5°F
810086a-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 Pueblo Memorial Airport is Apr 30 and the median first fall frost is Oct 9, a typical frost-free season of about 161 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (Apr 30), 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 Pueblo

Average annual precipitation is 12 inches (Pueblo Memorial Airport, 1991–2020), spread across the year with August the wettest month and January the driest.

The average high in July is about 93°F and the average low in January is about 15°F, measured at about 4,720 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 Pueblo

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 Pueblo?

Pueblo, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (81003: 6a, 81005: 6a, 81007: 6a, 81008: 6a). In 81003, the average coldest night of the year is -10 to -5°F.

When is the last frost in Pueblo?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Pueblo Memorial Airport is Apr 30 and the median first fall frost is Oct 9, a typical frost-free season of about 161 days.

How much rain does Pueblo get?

Average annual precipitation is 12 inches (Pueblo Memorial Airport, 1991–2020), spread across the year with August the wettest month and January the driest.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Pueblo Memorial Airport (USW00093058). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov