Tennessee planting zones run from USDA Zone 6a in the Smoky Mountains to Zone 8a around Memphis. Most of the state sits in Zone 7a or 7b. Knoxville and most of East Tennessee are Zone 7a. Nashville and most of Middle Tennessee are Zone 7b. If you just want your number, the table below has it by city. If you want to know what that number means for your lawn and your plant beds, keep reading.
This guide uses the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the first update since 2012. Several Tennessee cities moved up half a zone in that update, so if you learned your zone more than a few years ago, it may have changed.
Tennessee Planting Zones at a Glance
| Zone | Avg. coldest winter temp | Where in Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| 6a | -10°F to -5°F | Highest elevations of the Smokies and Unaka Mountains; parts of the Cumberland Plateau |
| 6b | -5°F to 0°F | Mountain foothills, Gatlinburg, parts of Northeast Tennessee and the Plateau |
| 7a | 0°F to 5°F | Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley, Oak Ridge, Maryville, Lenoir City, Cookeville, Clarksville |
| 7b | 5°F to 10°F | Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Jackson, most of Middle Tennessee |
| 8a | 10°F to 15°F | Memphis and the southwest corner of the state |
Each zone covers a 10°F range of average minimum winter temperature. The “a” and “b” halves split that range in two. A plant tagged “Zones 6–9” will survive winter anywhere in Tennessee. A plant tagged “Zones 8–10” will not make it through a Knoxville winter without protection.
Tennessee Planting Zone by City
Here are the zones for the cities we get asked about most. Zones can shift at city edges, on ridgetops, and in valleys, so confirm your exact zone by entering your ZIP code on the USDA map before you buy anything borderline.
| City | Region | USDA Zone (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | East | 7a |
| Farragut / Hardin Valley | East | 7a |
| Lenoir City / Loudon / Tellico Village | East | 7a |
| Maryville / Alcoa | East | 7a |
| Oak Ridge / Clinton | East | 7a |
| Sevierville / Gatlinburg | East | 6b to 7a (drops to 6a at elevation) |
| Johnson City / Kingsport / Bristol | East | 6b to 7a |
| Chattanooga | Southeast | 7b |
| Cookeville / Crossville | Plateau | 6b to 7a |
| Nashville | Middle | 7b (was 7a before 2023) |
| Franklin / Brentwood | Middle | 7b |
| Murfreesboro | Middle | 7b |
| Clarksville | Middle | 7a |
| Jackson | West | 7b |
| Memphis | West | 8a |
Nashville homeowners: we wrote a separate guide on what planting zone Nashville is in and what the 2023 change from 7a to 7b means for Middle Tennessee yards.
What Zone Is East Tennessee?
East Tennessee is mostly Zone 7a, with Zone 6b in the foothills and Zone 6a on the highest peaks. That is a wider spread than the rest of the state, and it is why a plant that does fine in West Knoxville can struggle twenty miles away in the Smokies.
A few things to know about East Tennessee’s zone:
- Knoxville and the valley are Zone 7a. Winter lows of 0°F to 5°F are normal. Hard freezes happen every year but rarely last long.
- Elevation matters more than distance. Gatlinburg sits about 40 miles from Knoxville but is a half zone colder. Above 3,000 feet you are in Zone 6a.
- Lake lots run slightly milder. Properties on Fort Loudoun, Tellico, and Watts Bar get a small buffer from the water, but they are still Zone 7a. Do not plant Zone 8 material and expect the lake to save it.
- Clay soil is the bigger problem. East Tennessee’s red clay drains poorly and compacts hard. More plants die here from wet roots than from cold. Proper land grading and drainage matter as much as your zone number.
What Zone Is Middle Tennessee?
Middle Tennessee is now mostly Zone 7b after the 2023 update. Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and Murfreesboro all moved from 7a to 7b. Clarksville stayed in 7a. The practical change is small: average winter lows are about five degrees warmer than the old map, which gives borderline plants like camellias and loropetalums a better shot at surviving.
What Zone Is West Tennessee?
West Tennessee is Zone 7b in Jackson and the northern counties, warming to Zone 8a in Memphis and along the Mississippi. This is the only part of the state where you can reliably grow Zone 8 plants like crape myrtles in exposed spots, some figs, and warm-season grasses with almost no winter dieback.
Frost Dates by Tennessee Planting Zone
Your zone tells you what survives winter. Frost dates tell you when to plant. Both matter.
| Zone | Last spring frost (avg.) | First fall frost (avg.) | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6a | Mid-May | Early October | About 140 days |
| 6b | Late April to early May | Mid-October | About 165 days |
| 7a | Early to mid-April | Late October | About 195 days |
| 7b | Late March to early April | Late October to early November | About 210 days |
| 8a | Late March | Early November | About 225 days |
These are 30-year averages. Tennessee gets late freezes, especially in April in the valleys and into May in the mountains. Wait a week or two past the average date before setting out anything tender.
What to Plant in Each Tennessee Zone
Grass
Tennessee sits in the transition zone, where both warm-season and cool-season grasses can work. Your zone decides which is the safer bet.
- Zones 7a, 7b, and 8a: Warm-season sod is the best fit. Zeon Zoysia handles heat, moderate shade, and light traffic. TifTuf Bermuda is the toughest option for full sun and heavy use. Both go dormant and turn tan in winter.
- Zones 6a and 6b: Cool-season grass is safer. Elite Tall Fescue stays green through winter and tolerates shade. Warm-season grasses can survive here but suffer more winter damage.
- Any zone with heavy shade: Fescue. Warm-season grasses need six or more hours of sun.
If you are not sure which way to go, our guide on the best grass type for a Tennessee yard walks through fescue, zoysia, and Bermuda side by side.
Trees and shrubs
These are safe across every Tennessee zone:
- Eastern Redbud (Zones 4–9): Tennessee’s state tree. Pink blooms in early spring.
- Flowering Dogwood (Zones 5–9): the classic understory tree in East Tennessee yards.
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Zones 5–9): native, low maintenance, big summer blooms.
- Knock Out Roses (Zones 5–9): disease-resistant and nearly impossible to kill.
- Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3–9): native wildflower, spreads on its own.
Safe in Zones 7a and warmer, risky in 6a and 6b: crape myrtle, gardenia, camellia, loropetalum, and most figs. In Zone 7a, plant these on the south or east side of the house, out of the wind.
For privacy screens that hold up in every zone, see our guide to evergreen trees for privacy in Tennessee. For low-maintenance beds, start with Tennessee native plants, which are adapted to our zones by definition.
Tips That Apply in Every Tennessee Planting Zone
- Read the tag. If the low end of the plant’s zone range is higher than your zone, skip it or treat it as an annual.
- Plant warm-season sod in late spring through summer. Zoysia and Bermuda root fastest when soil is above 65°F. Late April through September works across Zones 7a to 8a.
- Plant fescue in fall. September and October give it cool soil and winter rain to establish.
- Fix drainage first. Clay soil kills more Tennessee plants than cold does. Grade, amend, and mulch before you plant.
- Mulch every bed. Two to three inches evens out soil temperature and protects roots during the occasional hard freeze.
- Respect microclimates. A north-facing slope, a low spot where cold air pools, or a ridgetop can behave a half zone colder than the map says.
Tennessee Planting Zone FAQ
What planting zone is Tennessee?
Tennessee covers USDA Zones 6a through 8a. Most of the state is Zone 7a (East Tennessee) or Zone 7b (Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga). Memphis is Zone 8a.
What zone is East Tennessee for planting?
Zone 7a in Knoxville and the valley, Zone 6b in the foothills, and Zone 6a above about 3,000 feet in the Smokies.
Did Tennessee’s planting zones change in 2023?
Yes. The USDA released a new map in November 2023 based on 1991–2020 data. Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and much of Middle Tennessee moved from 7a to 7b. Memphis moved from 7b to 8a. Knoxville stayed in 7a.
What is the difference between Zone 7a and 7b?
Five degrees. Zone 7a averages winter lows of 0°F to 5°F. Zone 7b averages 5°F to 10°F. Almost anything rated for 7a will grow in 7b, but a few borderline shrubs are more reliable in 7b.
Can I grow warm-season grass in East Tennessee?
Yes. Zeon Zoysia and TifTuf Bermuda both do well in Zone 7a. They go dormant and turn tan from roughly November to April. If you want green grass year-round, choose Elite Tall Fescue instead.
Ready to Plant the Right Grass for Your Zone?
Knowing your Tennessee planting zone is step one. Step two is getting the grade, the soil, and the sod right for your specific yard. Gladiator SOD and Landscaping installs Zeon Zoysia, TifTuf Bermuda, and Elite Tall Fescue across Knoxville, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and the Nashville area, and we match the grass to your zone, your sun, and your soil.
Every project starts with a free estimate. Contact us today to get started.
