Best Plants For Iowa City, IA

A variety of plants are suitable for Iowa City's climate. The growing zone for the area is usually 5b, with average annual lows of -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Scroll down for a full list of the best plants for Iowa City, IA based on our analysis of the region's information.

If growing food is your aim, vegetables hardy to Iowa City include beets, broccoli and brussels sprouts, while fruits like apples, apricots and blackberries will flourish.

For flower beds, go with choices like asters, black-eyed susans (rudbeckia) and bleeding heart (dicentra spectabilis) for the best results.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.

Trees for Iowa City

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

American Elm (Ulmus Americana)

American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

White Birch (Betula papyrifera)

White Oak (Quercus alba)

White Pine (Pinus strobus)

Fruits for Iowa City

Apples

Apricots

Blackberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Concord grapes

Currants

Elderberries

Figs

Gooseberries

Hardy kiwi

Honeyberries

Mulberries.

Peaches

Pears

Plums

Quince

Raspberries

Rhubarb

Strawberries

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Flowers for Iowa City

Asters

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis)

Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Forsythia

Hardy Geraniums

Hostas

Hydrangeas

Iris

Lilacs (Syringa)

Marigolds (Tagetes)

Peonies (Paeonia)

Petunias

Rhododendrons

Roses (Rosa)

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum)

Sunflowers (Helianthus)

Tulips (Tulipa)

Zinnias

Vegetables for Iowa City

Beets

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cucumbers

Kale

Leeks

Lettuce

Onions

Peas

Pumpkins

Radishes

Spinach

Squash

Swiss Chard

Tomatoes

Turnips

Zucchini

Map of IA Hardiness Zones

Choose plants with your zone in mind

Choosing plants based on the growing zone for Iowa City ensures that your plants will be able to survive the lowest annual temperatures in your area of Iowa.

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Raised Garden Bed Kit

Easy-to-assemble raised garden bed for better soil control and drainage.

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Need Gardening Gear?

The Plant Guide Online has selected some of our favorite products to help you with your next growing project. From seed starting trays and fertilizers to decor and lifestyle items, we think you'll love what we've selected.

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Fun and decorative garden sign to add personality to your space.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.

Raised vegetable bed rows in zone 8a

Iowa City's Temperature

The USDA growing zone is 5b in Iowa City, IA. This is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive, helping to decide what plants would be suitable for the region's climate. According to our records, the average annual extreme minimum temperature in Iowa City is -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you would like to learn more, visit our page on the growing zone for Iowa City, IA.

Map of Iowa City

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Fun and decorative garden sign to add personality to your space.

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.

All Towns In IA

Tools You'll Love

The Plant Guide Online has selected some of our favorite products to help you with your next growing project. From seed starting trays and fertilizers to decor and lifestyle items, we think you'll love what we've selected.

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.

Plants For Other States:

Looking for the best plants in a different area of the United States? Click on a button below to find plants that are ideal for that state's temperatures.

Large Greenhouse Kit

Spacious greenhouse for extending your growing season.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Raised Garden Bed Kit

Easy-to-assemble raised garden bed for better soil control and drainage.

Seed Starting Trays

Perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden.

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Fun and decorative garden sign to add personality to your space.