Skip to content

Planting zones · Santa Fe, New Mexico

What Planting Zone Is Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is in USDA zone 6b–7a. High desert at 6,300–6,800 ft: 11–13 in. of precipitation, nearly half of it from July–September monsoon storms, and a short frost-free season of about 144–164 days. The last frost can come in mid-May.

  • USDA zone (2023)6b–7a
  • Coldest night (avg.)-5 to 0°FZIP 87501
  • Median last frostMay 432°F
  • Median first frostOct 1532°F
  • Annual precipitation11 inches
  • Frost-free season164 days

Santa Fe hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Santa Fe fall in zones 6b to 7a; 87501 (zone 6b) has an average annual extreme minimum of -5 to 0°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 6.

2023 USDA zone for sampled Santa Fe ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
875016b-5 to 0°F
875056b-5 to 0°F
875077a0 to 5°F
875087a0 to 5°F

Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.

Frost dates and when to plant

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Santa Fe County Municipal Airport is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 15, a typical frost-free season of about 164 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (May 4), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Oct 15) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.

Rainfall and heat in Santa Fe

Average annual precipitation is 11 inches (Santa Fe County Municipal Airport, 1991–2020), and 48% of it falls July–September in summer thunderstorms. February is the driest month, so new plantings need the most help in late spring before the storms arrive.

The average high in July is about 89°F and the average low in December is about 20°F, measured at about 6,340 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 Santa Fe

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 Santa Fe?

Santa Fe, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b–7a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (87501: 6b, 87505: 6b, 87507: 7a, 87508: 7a). In 87501, the average coldest night of the year is -5 to 0°F.

When is the last frost in Santa Fe?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Santa Fe County Municipal Airport is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 15, a typical frost-free season of about 164 days.

How much rain does Santa Fe get?

Average annual precipitation is 11 inches (Santa Fe County Municipal Airport, 1991–2020), and 48% of it falls July–September in summer thunderstorms. February is the driest month, so new plantings need the most help in late spring before the storms arrive.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Santa Fe County Municipal Airport (USW00023049). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Santa Fe 2 (city) (USC00298085). ncei.noaa.gov
  3. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov