Best Plants For Madison, WI

A variety of plants are suitable for Madison's climate. The growing zone for the area is usually 5a, with average annual lows of -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Scroll down for a full list of the best plants for Madison, WI based on our analysis of the region's information.

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

For flower beds, go with choices like aster, azaleas and bee balm for the best results.

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.

Trees for Madison

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

American Elm (Ulmus americana)

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina).

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

River Birch (Betula nigra)

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

White Birch (Betula papyrifera)

White fir (Abies concolor)

White Oak (Quercus alba)

White Pine (Pinus strobus)

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

Fruits for Madison

Apples

Apricots

Blackberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Concord Grapes

Currants

Elderberries

Gooseberries

Grapes

Hardy Kiwi

Mulberries

Peaches

Pears

Plums

Quince

Raspberries

Rhubarb

Saskatoon Berry

Strawberries

Flowers for Madison

Aster

Azaleas

Bee Balm

Black-Eyed Susans

Columbines

Coneflowers

Daffodils

Daylilies

Garden Phlox

Hostas

Hydrangeas

Irises

Marigolds

Peonies

Primrose

Rhododendrons

Rudbeckia

Russian Sage

Sunflowers

Tulips

Vegetables for Madison

Beets

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cucumbers

Green beans

Kale

Lettuce

Onions

Peas

Peppers

Potatoes

Radishes

Spinach

Squash

Swiss chard

Tomatoes

Zucchini.

Best Time to Plant in Madison

Check the growing calendar for Madison at the Old Farmer's Almanac to see the best planting times for the region.

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.

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Complete garden tool set with heavy-duty stainless steel tools for all your gardening needs.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

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

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.

Madison's Temperature

USDA Growing Zone: 5a

Zip Codes: 53706, 53704, 53705, 53703, 53726, 53792, 53719, 53718, 53715, 53714, 53717, 53716, 53711, 53713, 53701, 53702, 53707, 53708, 53725, 53774, 53777, 53782, 53783, 53784, 53785, 53786, 53788, 53790, 53793, 53794

Longitude: -89.393

Latitude: 43.0822

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -20 to -15

The USDA growing zone is 5a in Madison, WI. 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 Madison is -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you would like to learn more, visit our page on the growing zone for Madison, WI.

Map of Madison

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

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

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Complete garden tool set with heavy-duty stainless steel tools for all your gardening needs.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

All Towns In WI

Abbotsford Abrams Adams Adell Albany Algoma Allens Grove Allenton Allouez Alma Alma Center Almena Almond Alto Altoona Amberg Amery Amherst Amherst Junction Angelica Aniwa Antigo Appleton Arcadia Arena Argonne Argyle Arkansaw Arkdale Arlington Arpin Ashippun Ashland Ashwaubenon Athens Auburndale Augusta Avoca Babcock Bagley Baileys Harbor Baldwin Balsam Lake Bancroft Bangor Baraboo Barneveld Barron Barronett Batavia Bay City Bayfield Bayfront Bayside Bear Creek Beaver Dam Belgium Bell Center Belleville Bellevue Belmont Beloit Benton Berlin Big Bend Big Falls Big Foot Prairie Birch Hill Birchwood Birnamwood Biron Black Creek Black Earth Black River Falls Blair Blanchardville Bloomer Bloomington Blue Mounds Blue River Bluffview Boaz Bohners Lake Bonduel Boscobel Boulder Junction Bowler Boyceville Boyd Brandon Brice Prairie Briggsville Brillion Bristol Brodhead Brookfield Brooklyn Brothertown Brown Deer Browns Lake Brownsville Browntown Brule Buffalo City Burlington Burnett Butler Butte des Morts Butternut Cable Cadott Caledonia Cambria Cambridge Cameron Camp Douglas Campbellsport Caroline Cascade Casco Cashton Cassville Cataract Catawba Cazenovia Cecil Cedar Grove Cedarburg Ceex Haci Centuria Chain O' Lakes Chaseburg Chelsea Chenequa Chetek Chief Lake Chili Chilton Chippewa Falls Clam Lake Clarks Mills Clayton Clear Lake Cleveland Clinton Clintonville Clyman Cobb Cochrane Colby Coleman Colfax Collins Coloma Columbus Combined Locks Como Coon Valley Cornell Cornucopia Cottage Grove Couderay Crandon Crivitz Cross Plains Cuba City Cudahy Cumberland Curtiss Dale Dallas Dalton Danbury Dane Darien Darlington De Pere De Soto Deer Park Deerfield DeForest Dekorra Delafield Delavan Delavan Lake Dellwood Denmark Diamond Bluff Diaperville Dickeyville Dodge Dodgeville Dorchester Dousman Downing Downsville Doylestown Dresser Drummond Dunbar Durand Dyckesville Eagle Eagle Lake Eagle River East Troy Eastman Easton Eau Claire Eden Edgar Edgerton Edmund Egg Harbor Eland Elcho Elderon Eleva Elk Mound Elkhart Lake Elkhorn Ellison Bay Ellsworth Elm Grove Elmwood Elmwood Park Elroy Embarrass Emerald Endeavor Ephraim Ettrick Eureka Evansville Exeland Fairchild Fairwater Fall Creek Fall River Fennimore Fenwood Ferryville Fitchburg Florence Fond du Lac Footville Forest Junction Forestville Fort Atkinson Fountain City Fox Crossing Fox Lake Fox Point Francis Creek Franklin Franks Field Frederic Fredonia Fremont French Island Friendship Friesland Fulton Galesville Gays Mills Genoa Genoa City Germantown Gibbsville Gillett Gilman Gilmanton Glen Haven Glenbeulah Glendale Glenwood City Glidden Goodman Gordon Gotham Grafton Grand Marsh Grand View Granton Grantsburg Gratiot Green Bay Green Lake Green Valley Greenbush Greendale Greenfield Greenleaf Greenville Greenwood Gresham Hager City Hales Corners Hammond Hancock Hanover Harrison Harrisville Hartford Hartland Hatfield Hatley Haugen Hawkins Hayward Hazel Green Hebron Helenville Herbster Hewitt Highland Hilbert Hillsboro Hingham Hixton Hobart Holcombe Hollandale Holmen Horicon Hortonville Houlton Howard Howards Grove Hudson Humbird Hurley Hustisford Hustler Independence Iola Iron Belt Iron Ridge Iron River Ironton Ixonia Jackson Janesville Jefferson Jim Falls Johnson Creek Jolmaville Juda Jump River Junction City Juneau Kaukauna Kekoskee Kellnersville Kendall Kennan Kenosha Keshena Kewaskum Kewaunee Kiel Kieler Kimberly King Kingston Knapp Knowlton Kohler Krakow Kronenwetter La Crosse La Farge La Valle Lac du Flambeau Lac La Belle Ladysmith Lake Arrowhead Lake Camelot Lake Delton Lake Geneva Lake Hallie Lake Ivanhoe Lake Koshkonong Lake Lorraine Lake Mills Lake Nebagamon Lake Ripley Lake Sherwood Lake Tomahawk Lake Wazeecha Lake Wisconsin Lake Wissota Lakewood Lancaster Lannon Laona Lauderdale Lakes Lebanon Legend Lake Lena Leopolis Lewis Lily Lake Lime Ridge Linden Little Chute Little Round Lake Little Sturgeon Livingston Lodi Loganville Lohrville Lomira Lone Rock Long Lake Lowell Loyal Lublin Luck Luxemburg Lyndon Station Lynxville Lyons Madison Maiden Rock Maine Manawa Manitowoc Maple Bluff Marengo Maribel Marinette Marion Markesan Marquette Marshall Marshfield Mason Mattoon Mauston Mayville Mazomanie McFarland Medford Mellen Melrose Melvina Menasha Menomonee Falls Menomonie Mequon Mercer Merrill Merrillan Merrimac Merton Middle Village Middleton Milladore Millston Milltown Milton Milwaukee Mindoro Mineral Point Minocqua Minong Mishicot Mission Mole Lake Mondovi Monona Monroe Montello Montfort Monticello Montreal Mosinee Mount Calvary Mount Hope Mount Horeb Mount Pleasant Mount Sterling Mountain Mukwonago Muscoda Muskego Nashotah Navarino Necedah Neenah Neillsville Nekoosa Nelson Nelsonville Neopit Neosho Neshkoro New Auburn New Berlin New Glarus New Holstein New Lisbon New London New Munster New Odanah New Post New Richmond Newald Newburg Niagara Nichols North Bay North Fond du Lac North Freedom North Hudson North Lake North Prairie Northport Norwalk Oak Creek Oakdale Oakfield Oconomowoc Oconomowoc Lake Oconto Oconto Falls Odanah Ogdensburg Ogema Okauchee Lake Oliver Omro Onalaska Ontario Oostburg Oregon Orfordville Osceola Oshkosh Osseo Owen Oxford Paac Ciinak Packwaukee Paddock Lake Palmyra Pardeeville Park Falls Park Ridge Patch Grove Pella Pembine Pence Pepin Peshtigo Phillips Pigeon Falls Pine River Pittsville Plain Plainfield Platteville Pleasant Prairie Plover Plum City Plymouth Polonia Poplar Port Edwards Port Washington Port Wing Portage Post Lake Potosi Potter Potter Lake Pound Powers Lake Poy Sippi Poynette Prairie du Chien Prairie du Sac Prairie Farm Prentice Prescott Princeton Pulaski Pulcifer Racine Radisson Randolph Random Lake Raymond Readstown Redgranite Reedsburg Reedsville Reeseville Reserve Rewey Rhinelander Rib Lake Rib Mountain Rice Lake Richfield Ridgeland Ridgeway Rio Ripon River Falls River Hills Roberts Rochester Rock Falls Rock Springs Rockdale Rockland Rome Rosendale Rosholt Rothschild Rubicon Rudolph Salem Lakes Sand Pillow Sandy Hook Sauk City Saukville Saxon Sayner Scandinavia Schofield Seneca Sextonville Seymour Sharon Shawano Sheboygan Sheboygan Falls Sheldon Shell Lake Sherwood Shiocton Shopiere Shorewood Shorewood Hills Shullsburg Siren Sister Bay Slinger Sobieski Soldiers Grove Solon Springs Somers Somerset South Milwaukee South Wayne Sparta Spencer Spooner Spring Green Spring Valley Springbrook Springfield St. Cloud St. Croix Falls St. Francis St. Joseph St. Nazianz St. Peter Stanley Star Prairie Stetsonville Steuben Stevens Point Stockbridge Stockholm Stoddard Stone Lake Stoughton Stratford Strum Sturgeon Bay Sturtevant Suamico Sullivan Summit Lake Sun Prairie Superior Suring Sussex Tainter Lake Taycheedah Taylor Tennyson Theresa Thiensville Thornton Thorp Three Lakes Tichigan Tigerton Tilleda Tomah Tomahawk Tony Townsend Trego Trempealeau Tunnel City Turtle Lake Tustin Twin Lakes Two Rivers Union Center Union Grove Unity Valders Van Dyne Vernon Verona Vesper Village of Waukesha Viola Viroqua Wabeno Waldo Wales Walworth Warrens Washburn Waterford Waterloo Watertown Waubeka Waukau Waukesha Waumandee Waunakee Waupaca Waupun Wausau Wausaukee Wautoma Wauwatosa Wauzeka Webster West Allis West Baraboo West Bend West Milwaukee West Salem Westboro Westby Westfield Weston Weyauwega Wheeler White Lake Whitefish Bay Whitehall Whitelaw Whitewater Whiting Whittlesey Wild Rose Williams Bay Wilson Wilton Winchester Wind Lake Wind Point Winneconne Winter Wiota Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Rapids Withee Wittenberg Wonewoc Woodford Woodman Woodruff Woodville Wrightstown Wyeville Wyocena Yorkville Yuba Zoar

Tools You'll Love

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

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.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

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

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.

Reusable Grow Bags

Breathable fabric grow bags that promote healthy root growth for your vegetables and fruits.

Seed Starting Trays

Perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden.

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.

To see our latest gardening and homesteading projects, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.