What Growing Zone Is South Lake Tahoe?
Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature. .Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used South Lake Tahoe's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

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

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Seed Starting Trays

Metal Seed Storage Box

Cluck Around Sign

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

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 South Lake Tahoe is in growing zone 6b this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as -5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for South Lake Tahoe'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.

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

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!
South Lake Tahoe's Growing Zone Details
USDA Growing Zone: 6b
Zip Codes: 96150, 96151, 96152, 96154, 96157, 96158
Longitude: -119.9828
Latitude: 38.9393
Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -5 to 0

Raised Garden Bed Kit

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Wooden Chicken Coop

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit
Map of the South Lake Tahoe Area
All Towns In CA

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Wooden Chicken Coop

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife
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.

Raised Garden Planter

Brass Watering Can

Metal Seed Storage Box

Seed Starting Trays

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