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Planting zones · Salt Lake City, Utah

What Planting Zone Is Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City is in USDA zone 6a–7b. Great Basin climate on the Wasatch Front: nearly half of the roughly 15.5 in. of precipitation falls November–March, and July is the driest month. The valley floor maps to zone 7a–7b, while bench neighborhoods such as 84121 are colder (6a).

  • USDA zone (2023)6a–7b
  • Coldest night (avg.)5 to 10°FZIP 84101
  • Median last frostApr 832°F
  • Median first frostOct 3132°F
  • Annual precipitation16 inches
  • Frost-free season204 days

Salt Lake City hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Salt Lake City fall in zones 6a to 7b; 84101 (zone 7b) has an average annual extreme minimum of 5 to 10°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 6 if you live in one of the colder ZIPs.

2023 USDA zone for sampled Salt Lake City ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
840207a0 to 5°F
840887b5 to 10°F
841017b5 to 10°F
841067b5 to 10°F
841216a-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 Salt Lake City Intl Airport is Apr 8 and the median first fall frost is Oct 31, a typical frost-free season of about 204 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (Apr 8), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Oct 31) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.

Rainfall and heat in Salt Lake City

Average annual precipitation is 16 inches (Salt Lake City Intl Airport, 1991–2020), spread across the year with April the wettest month and July the driest.

The average high in July is about 94°F and the average low in January is about 24°F, measured at about 4,230 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 Salt Lake City

72 plants in our database are hardy to zone 6 and suited to zone 7. Here are 12, driest first, across plant types.

See all zone 7 plants

Frequently asked questions

What planting zone is Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City, UT is in USDA hardiness zone 6a–7b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (84020: 7a, 84088: 7b, 84101: 7b, 84106: 7b, 84121: 6a). In 84101, the average coldest night of the year is 5 to 10°F.

When is the last frost in Salt Lake City?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Salt Lake City Intl Airport is Apr 8 and the median first fall frost is Oct 31, a typical frost-free season of about 204 days.

How much rain does Salt Lake City get?

Average annual precipitation is 16 inches (Salt Lake City Intl Airport, 1991–2020), spread across the year with April the wettest month and July the driest.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Salt Lake City Intl Airport (USW00024127). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov