What Growing Zone Is Portola?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Portola a growing zone designation of 6b. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Portola's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature.Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Portola's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

map of growing zone 6b (Northern California)map of growing zone 6bLatest CA growing zone map

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

Metal Arbor Trellis

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.
Large Greenhouse Kit

Large Greenhouse Kit

Spacious greenhouse for extending your growing season.
Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round with this indoor hydroponic garden system.
Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.
map of growing zone 6b (Northern California)map of growing zone 6bLatest CA 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 Portola is in growing zone 6b this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as -5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Portola'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 Portola 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 2023Half 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!

Hardiness Zone FAQ

Have questions about hardiness zones and what they mean for your garden? Check out our FAQ below for quick answers to common questions about USDA hardiness zones and how they affect plant selection in Portola, CA.

The USDA hardiness zone is 6b for Portola. This is sometimes also referred to as the growing or planting zone. These terms are used interchangeably.

Portola's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 6b

Zip Codes: 96122

Longitude: -120.4733

Latitude: 39.8241

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -5 to 0

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.
Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

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

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.
Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.
Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Map of the Portola Area

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Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.
Worm Composting Kit

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.
Small Greenhouse Kit

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.
Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

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

Large Greenhouse Kit

Spacious greenhouse for extending your growing season.

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.

Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming
Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.
Metal Arbor Trellis

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.
Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.
Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

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

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