What Growing Zone Is Gulf Shores?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Gulf Shores a growing zone designation of 9a. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Gulf Shores's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature. .Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Gulf Shores's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

If you are looking for plants suitable for growing in the Gulf Shores area, head on over to our page on plants that grow well in Gulf Shores, AL.

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Seed Starting Trays

Perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden.

Latest AL growing zone map

The growing zone is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive based on average lowest year temperatures, helping you to decide what plants would grow best in your particular climate. Since Gulf Shores is in growing zone 9a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Gulf Shores's climate should be chosen with this in mind, or plants should be moved inside to keep their core temperature in the right range if necessary.

USDA growing zone map of the United States

Some zones may have been changed by the USDA as of 2023. To see if the Gulf Shores area has been affected, refer to this map of half zone changes from the 2012 version of the USDA zones to the 2023 version.

map of usda hardiness zone changes from 2012 to 2023

Half zone changes from 2012 to 2023

The updated map shows that over half of the Southeast has warmed by about half a zone. For gardeners, that means you can now grow plants that tolerate a bit more heat and less frost than before. The tan areas reflect this shift. Meanwhile, the white areas had slight temperature changes, but not enough to move them into a new zone. In the Western U.S., a few spots shifted cooler. That’s not due to a colder climate, but because the new map uses a larger dataset, giving a more accurate picture of local conditions. It's important to keep track of these changes when planning your garden!

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Gulf Shores's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 9a

Zip Codes: 36542, 36547

Longitude: -87.7017

Latitude: 30.2764

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): 20 to 25

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

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

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.

Reusable Grow Bags

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

Map of the Gulf Shores Area

All Towns In AL

Abanda Abbeville Adamsville Addison Akron Alabaster Albertville Alexander City Alexandria Aliceville Allgood Altoona Andalusia Anderson Anniston Arab Ardmore Argo Ariton Arley Ashford Ashland Ashville Athens Atmore Attalla Auburn Autaugaville Avon Axis Babbie Baileyton Bakerhill Ballplay Banks Bay Minette Bayou La Batre Bear Creek Beatrice Beaverton Belgreen Belk Bellamy Belle Fontaine Benton Berlin Berry Bessemer Billingsley Birmingham Black Blountsville Blue Ridge Blue Springs Boaz Boligee Bon Air Bon Secour Boykin Brantley Brantleyville Brent Brewton Bridgeport Brighton Brilliant Bristow Cove Brook Highland Brookside Brookwood Broomtown Brundidge Bucks Butler Calera Calvert Camden Camp Hill Carbon Hill Cardiff Carlisle-Rockledge Carlton Carolina Carrollton Castleberry Catherine Cedar Bluff Center Point Centre Centreville Chatom Chelsea Cherokee Chickasaw Childersburg Choccolocco Chunchula Citronelle Clanton Clay Clayhatchee Clayton Cleveland Clio Coaling Coats Bend Coffee Springs Coffeeville Coker Collinsville Colony Columbia Columbiana Concord Coosada Cordova Cottondale Cottonwood County Line Courtland Cowarts Creola Crossville Cuba Cullman Cullomburg Cusseta Dadeville Daleville Daphne Dauphin Island Daviston Dayton Deatsville Decatur Deer Park Delta Demopolis Detroit Dodge City Dora Dothan Double Springs Douglas Dozier Dunnavant Dutton Eagle Point East Brewton East Point Eclectic Edgewater Edwardsville Egypt Elba Elberta Eldridge Elkmont Elmore Emelle Emerald Mountain Enterprise Epes Equality Ethelsville Eufaula Eunola Eutaw Eva Evergreen Excel Fairfield Fairford Fairhope Fairview Falkville Faunsdale Fayette Fayetteville Fitzpatrick Five Points Flomaton Florala Florence Foley Forestdale Forkland Fort Deposit Fort Payne Fort Rucker Franklin Fredonia Frisco City Fruitdale Fruithurst Fulton Fultondale Fyffe Gadsden Gainesville Gallant Gantt Garden City Gardendale Gaylesville Geiger Geneva Georgiana Geraldine Gilbertown Glen Allen Glencoe Glenwood Goldville Good 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Louisville Lowndesboro Loxley Luverne Lynn Macedonia Madison Madrid Magnolia Springs Malcolm Malvern Maplesville Marbury Margaret Marion Maytown McCalla McDonald Chapel McIntosh McKenzie McMullen Meadowbrook Megargel Memphis Mentone Meridianville Midfield Midland City Midway Mignon Millbrook Millerville Millport Millry Minor Mobile Monroeville Montevallo Montgomery Moody Moores Mill Mooresville Morris Morrison Crossroads Mosses Moulton Moundville Mount Olive Mount Vernon Mountain Brook Movico Mulga Munford Muscle Shoals Myrtlewood Nanafalia Nances Creek Napier Field Natural Bridge Nauvoo Nectar Needham New Brockton New Hope New Market New Site New Union Newbern Newton Newville Nixburg North Courtland North Johns Northport Notasulga Oak Grove Oak Hill Oakman Odenville Ohatchee Oneonta Onycha Opelika Opp Orange Beach Orrville Our Town Owens Cross Roads Oxford Ozark Paint Rock Panola Parrish Pea Ridge Pelham Pell City Pennington Penton Perdido Perdido Beach Peterman Petrey Phenix City 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Springs Sylvania Talladega Talladega Springs Tallassee Tarrant Taylor Theodore Thomaston Thomasville Thorsby Tibbie Tidmore Bend Tillmans Corner Town Creek Toxey Trafford Triana Trinity Troy Trussville Tuscaloosa Tuscumbia Tuskegee Twin Underwood-Petersville Union Union Grove Union Springs Uniontown Uriah Valley Valley Grande Valley Head Vance Vandiver Vernon Vestavia Hills Vina Vincent Vinegar Bend Vredenburgh Wadley Waldo Walnut Grove Warrior Waterloo Waverly Weaver Webb Wedowee Weogufka West Blocton West End-Cobb Town West Jefferson West Point Westover Wetumpka Whatley White Hall White Plains Whitesboro Wilsonville Wilton Winfield Woodland Woodstock Woodville Yellow Bluff York

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

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

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

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.

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.

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round with this indoor hydroponic garden system.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

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