What Growing Zone Is Rock City?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Rock City a growing zone designation of 5a. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Rock City's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature.Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Rock City's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

Latest IL growing zone map

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

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Latest IL 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 Rock City is in growing zone 5a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Rock City'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 Rock City 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!

View this profile on Instagram
The Plant Guide Online (@plantguideonline) • Instagram photos and videos

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 Rock City, IL.

The USDA hardiness zone is 5a for Rock City. This is sometimes also referred to as the growing or planting zone. These terms are used interchangeably.

Rock City's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 5a

Zip Codes: 61070

Longitude: -89.4715

Latitude: 42.4129

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

Large Greenhouse Kit

Spacious greenhouse for extending your growing season.

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

Raised Garden Bed Kit

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

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.

Map of the Rock City Area

All Towns In IL

Abingdon Adair Adams Addieville Addison Adeline Albany Albers Albion Alden Aledo Alexander Alexis Algonquin Alhambra Allendale Allenville Allerton Alma Alpha Alsey Alsip Altamont Alto Pass Alton Altona Alvan Amboy Anchor Andalusia Andover Andres Anna Annapolis Annawan Antioch Apple Canyon Lake Apple River Arbury Hills Arcola Arenzville Argenta Argyle Arlington Arlington Heights Armington Aroma Park Arrowsmith Arthur Ashkum Ashland Ashley Ashmore Ashton Assumption Astoria Athens Atkinson Atlanta Atwood Auburn Augusta Aurora Ava Aviston Avon Baileyville Baldwin Banner Bannockburn Bardolph Barrington Barrington Hills Barry Barstow Bartelso Bartlett Bartonville Basco Batavia Batchtown Bath Bay View Gardens Baylis Beach Park Beardstown Beason Beaverville Beckemeyer Bedford Park Beecher Beecher City Belgium Belknap Belle Prairie City Belle Rive Belleville Bellevue Bellflower Bellmont Bellwood Belvidere Bement Benld Bensenville Benson Bentley Benton Berkeley Berlin Berwyn Bethalto Bethany Beverly Big Foot Prairie Big Rock Biggsville Bingham Bishop Hill Bismarck Blairsville Blandinsville Bloomfield Bloomingdale Bloomington Blue Island Blue Mound Bluffs Bluford Bolingbrook Bondville Bone Gap Bonfield Bonnie Bonnie Brae Boody Boulder Hill Bourbonnais Bowen Braceville Bradford Bradley Braidwood Breese Bridgeport Bridgeview Brighton Brimfield Broadlands Broadview Broadwell Brocton Brookfield Brooklyn Brookport Broughton Browning Browns Brownstown Brussels Bryant Buckingham Buckley Buckner Buda Buffalo Buffalo Grove Buffalo Prairie Bull Valley Bulpitt Buncombe Bunker Hill Burbank Burlington Burnham Burnt Prairie Burr Ridge Burton Burtons Bridge Bush Bushnell Butler Byron Cabery Cable Cahokia Heights Cairo Caledonia Calhoun Calumet City Calumet Park Camargo Cambria Cambridge Camden Cameron Camp Point Campbell Hill Campbell's Island Campton Hills Campus Candlewick Lake Canton Cantrall Capron Carbon Cliff Carbon Hill Carbondale Carlinville Carlock Carlyle Carman Carmi Carol Stream Carpentersville Carrier Mills Carrollton Carterville Carthage Cary Casey Caseyville Catlin Cave-In-Rock Cedar Point Cedarville Central City Centralia Cerro Gordo Chadwick Champaign Chandlerville Channahon Channel Lake Chapin Charleston Chatham Chatsworth Chebanse Chemung Chenoa Cherry Cherry Valley Chester Chesterfield Chestnut Chicago Chicago Heights Chicago Ridge Chillicothe Chrisman Christopher Cicero Cisco Cisne Cissna Park Claremont Clarendon Hills Clay City Clayton Clear Lake Cleveland Clifton Clinton Coal City Coal Valley Coalton Coatsburg Cobden Coffeen Colchester Coleta Colfax Collinsville Colona Colp Columbia Columbus Como Compton Concord Congerville Cooksville Coral Cordova Cornell Cornland Cortland Coulterville Country Club Hills Countryside Cowden Coyne Center Crab Orchard Crainville Creal Springs Crescent City Crest Hill Creston Crestwood Crete Creve Coeur Crossville Crystal Lake Crystal Lawns Cuba Cullom Curran Custer Park Cutler Cypress Dahlgren Dakota Dallas City Dalton City Dalzell Damiansville Dana Danforth Danvers Danville Darien Darmstadt Davis Davis Junction Dawson Dayton De Land De Pue De Soto De Witt Decatur Deer Creek Deer Grove Deer Park Deerfield DeKalb Delavan Des Plaines Detroit Dewey Diamond Dieterich Divernon Dix Dixmoor Dixon Dolton Dongola Donnellson Donovan Dorchester Dover Dowell Downers Grove Downs Du Bois Du Quoin Dundas Dunfermline Dunlap Dupo Durand Dwight Eagarville Eagle Lake Earlville East Alton East Brooklyn East Cape Girardeau East Carondelet East Dubuque East Dundee East Galesburg East Gillespie East Hazel Crest East Lynn East Moline East Peoria East St. Louis Easton Eddyville Edgewood Edgington Edinburg Edwardsville Effingham El Dara El Paso Elburn Eldorado Eldred Elgin Eliza Elizabeth Elizabethtown Elk Grove Village Elkhart Elkville Elliott Ellis Grove Ellisville Ellsworth Elmhurst Elmwood Elmwood Park Elsah Elvaston Elwin Elwood Emden Emington Energy Enfield Equality Erie Essex Eureka Evanston Evansville Evergreen Park Ewing Exeter Fairbury Fairfield Fairmont Fairmont City Fairmount Fairview Fairview Heights Fall Creek Farina Farmer City Farmersville Farmington Fayetteville Ferris Fidelity Fieldon Fillmore Findlay Fisher Fithian Flanagan Flat Rock Flora Floraville Florence Flossmoor Foosland Ford Heights Forest City Forest Lake Forest Park Forest View Forrest Forreston Forsyth Fowler Fox Lake Fox Lake Hills Fox River Grove Frankfort Frankfort Square Franklin Franklin Grove Franklin Park Franklinville Freeburg Freeman Spur Freeport Fulton Fults Gages Lake Galatia Galena Galesburg Galt Galva Garden Prairie Gardner Garrett Gays Geneseo Geneva Genoa Georgetown German Valley Germantown Germantown Hills Gibson City Gifford Gilberts Gillespie Gilman Gilson Girard Gladstone Glasford Glasgow Glen Carbon Glen Ellyn Glencoe Glendale Heights Glenview Glenwood Godfrey Godley Golconda Golden Golden Gate Golf Good Hope Goodenow Goodfield Goofy Ridge Goreville Gorham Grafton Grand Detour Grand Ridge Grand Tower Grandview Grandwood Park Granite City Grant Park Grantfork Granville Grayslake Grayville Green Oaks Green Valley Greenfield Greenup Greenview Greenville Greenwood Gridley Griggsville Gurnee Hainesville Hamburg Hamel Hamilton Hamlet Hammond Hampshire Hampton Hanaford Hanna City Hanover Hanover Park Hardin Harding Harmon Harmony Harrisburg Harrison Harristown Hartford Hartland Hartsburg Harvard Harvel Harvey Harwood Heights Havana Hawthorn Woods Hazel Crest Hebron Hecker Henderson Hennepin Henning Henry Heritage Lake Herrick Herrin Herscher Hettick Heyworth Hickory Hills Hidalgo Highland Highland Park Highwood Hillcrest Hillsboro Hillsdale Hillside Hillview Hinckley Hindsboro Hinsdale Hodgkins Hoffman Hoffman Estates Holcomb Holiday Hills Holiday Shores Hollowayville Homer Homer Glen Hometown Homewood Hoopeston Hooppole Hopedale Hopewell Hopkins Park Hoyleton Hudson Huey Hull Humboldt Hume Huntley Hurst Hutsonville Illinois City Illiopolis Ina Indian Creek Indian Head Park Indianola Industry Ingalls Park Inverness Iola Ipava Iroquois Irving Irvington Irwin Island Lake Itasca Iuka Ivesdale Jacksonville Janesville Jeffersonville Jeisyville Jerome Jerseyville Jewett Johnsburg Johnsonville Johnston City Joliet Jonesboro Joppa Joslin Joy Junction Junction City Justice Kampsville Kane Kaneville Kangley Kankakee Kansas Kappa Karnak Kaskaskia Keenes Keensburg Keithsburg Kell Kempton Kenilworth Kenney Kewanee Keyesport Kilbourne Kildeer Kincaid Kinderhook Kings Kingston Kingston Mines Kinmundy Kinsman Kirkland Kirkwood Knollwood Knoxville La Clede La Fayette La Grange La Grange Park La Harpe La Moille La Prairie La Rose Lacon Ladd Lake Barrington Lake Bluff Lake Camelot Lake Carroll Lake Catherine Lake City Lake Forest Lake Holiday Lake in the Hills Lake Ka-Ho Lake of the Woods Lake Petersburg Lake Summerset Lake Villa Lake Zurich Lakemoor Lakewood Lakewood Shores Lanark Lane Langleyville Lansing LaPlace LaSalle Latham Lawrence Lawrenceville Le Roy Leaf River Lebanon Lee Lee Center Leland Leland Grove Lemont Lena Lenzburg Leonore Lerna Lewistown Lexington Liberty Libertyville Lily Lake Lima Limestone Lincoln Lincolnshire Lincolnwood Lindenhurst Lisbon Lisle Litchfield Literberry Little York Littleton Liverpool Livingston Loami Lockport Lockport Heights Loda Lomax Lombard London Mills Long Creek Long Grove Long Lake Long Point Longview Loraine Lorenzo Lost Nation Lostant Louisville Loves Park Lovington Lowpoint Ludlow Lyndon Lynn Center Lynnville Lynwood Lyons Macedonia Machesney Park Mackinaw Macomb Macon Madison Maeystown Magnolia Mahomet Makanda Malden Malta Manchester Manhattan Manito Manlius Mansfield Manteno Maple Park Mapleton Maquon Marcelline Marengo Marietta Marine Marion Marissa Mark Markham Marley Maroa Marquette Heights Marseilles Marshall Martinsville Martinton Maryville Mascoutah Mason Mason City Matherville Matteson Mattoon Maunie Maywood Mazon McClure McCook McCullom Lake McHenry McLean McLeansboro McNabb Mechanicsburg Media Medora Melrose Park Melvin Mendon Mendota Menominee Meredosia Merrionette Park Merritt Metamora Metcalf Metropolis Mettawa Meyer Middletown Midlothian Milan Milford Mill Creek Mill Shoals Millbrook Milledgeville Millersburg Millington Millstadt Milton Mineral Minier Minonk Minooka Mitchell Modesto Mokena Moline Momence Monee Monmouth Monroe Center Montgomery Monticello Montrose Moro Morris Morrison Morrisonville Morton Morton Grove Mossville Mound City Mound Station Mounds Mount Auburn Mount Carmel Mount Carroll Mount Clare Mount Erie Mount Morris Mount Olive Mount Prospect Mount Pulaski Mount Sterling Mount Vernon Mount Zion Moweaqua Muddy Mulberry Grove Mulkeytown Muncie Mundelein Murphysboro Murrayville Nachusa Naperville Naplate Naples Nashville Nason Nauvoo Nebo Nekoma Nelson Neoga Neponset New Athens New Baden New Bedford New Berlin New Boston New Burnside New Canton New Douglas New Grand Chain New Haven New Holland New Lenox New Milford New Minden New Salem Newark Newman Newton Niantic Niles Nilwood Niota Noble Nokomis Nora Normal Norridge Norris Norris City North Aurora North Barrington North Chicago North City North Henderson North Pekin North Riverside North Utica Northbrook Northfield Northlake Norwood O'Fallon Oak Brook Oak Forest Oak Grove Oak Lawn Oak Park Oak Run Oakbrook Terrace Oakdale Oakford Oakland Oakwood Oakwood Hills Oblong Oconee Odell Odin Ogden Oglesby Ohio Ohlman Okawville Old Mill Creek Old Ripley Old Shawneetown Olive Branch Olivet Olmsted Olney Olympia Fields Omaha Onarga Oneida Opdyke Ophiem Oquawka Orangeville Oreana Oregon Orient Orion Orland Hills Orland Park Osco Oswego Ottawa Otterville Owaneco Oxville Paderborn Palatine Palestine Palmer Palmyra Paloma Palos Heights Palos Hills Palos Park Pana Panama Panola Papineau Paris Park City Park Forest Park Ridge Parkersburg Patoka Paw Paw Pawnee Paxton Payson Pearl Pearl City Pecatonica Pekin Penfield Peoria Peoria Heights Peotone Percy Perry Peru Pesotum Petersburg Phillipstown Philo Phoenix Pierron Pinckneyville Pingree Grove Piper City Pistakee Highlands Pittsburg Pittsfield Plainfield Plainville Plano Plattville Pleasant Hill Pleasant Plains Plum Valley Plymouth Pocahontas Polo Pontiac Pontoon Beach Pontoosuc Poplar Grove Port Barrington Port Byron Posen Potomac Prairie City Prairie du Rocher Prairie Grove Prairietown Preemption Prestbury Preston Heights Princeton Princeville Prophetstown Prospect Heights Pulaski Quincy Radom Raleigh Ramsey Rankin Ransom Rantoul Rapids City Raritan Raymond Red Bud Reddick Redmon Rentchler Rest Haven Reynolds Richfield Richmond Richton Park Richview Ridge Farm Ridgefield Ridgewood Ridgway Ridott Riggston Riley Ringwood Rio Ripley Ritchie River Forest River Grove Riverdale Riverside Riverton Riverwoods Roanoke Robbins Roberts Robinson Rochelle Rochester Rock City Rock Falls Rock Island Rock Island Arsenal Rockbridge Rockdale Rockford Rockport Rockton Rockwood Rolling Meadows Rome Romeoville Roodhouse Roscoe Rose Hill Roselle Rosemont Roseville Rosewood Heights Rosiclare Rossville Round Lake Round Lake Beach Round Lake Heights Round Lake Park Roxana Royal Royal Lakes Royalton Ruma Rushville Russellville Rutland Sadorus Sailor Springs Salem Sammons Point San Jose Sandoval Sandwich Sauget Sauk Village Saunemin Savanna Savoy Sawyerville Saybrook Scales Mound Schaumburg Schiller Park Schram City Sciota Scott AFB Scottville Seaton Seatonville Secor Seneca Serena Sesser Seymour Shabbona Shannon Shawneetown Sheffield Shelbyville Sheldon Sheridan Sherman Sherrard Shiloh Shipman Shirley Shorewood Shumway Sibley Sidell Sidney Sigel Silvis Simpson Sims Skokie Sleepy Hollow Smithboro Smithfield Smithton Smithville Solon Mills Somonauk Sorento South Barrington South Beloit South Chicago Heights South Elgin South Holland South Jacksonville South Pekin South Roxana South Wilmington Southern View Sparland Sparta Spaulding Spillertown Spring Bay Spring Grove Spring Valley Springerton Springfield St. Anne St. Augustine St. Charles St. David St. Elmo St. Francisville St. Jacob St. Johns St. Joseph St. Libory St. Peter St. Rose Standard Standard City Stanford Staunton Ste. Marie Steeleville Steger Sterling Steward Stewardson Stickney Stillman Valley Stockton Stone Park Stonefort Stonington Stoy Strasburg Strawn Streamwood Streator Stronghurst Sublette Sugar Grove Sullivan Summerfield Summit Sumner Sun River Terrace Sunnyland Swansea Swedona Sycamore Symerton Table Grove Tallula Tamaroa Tamms Tampico Taylor Ridge Taylor Springs Taylorville Tennessee Teutopolis Thawville Thayer The Galena Territory Thebes Third Lake Thomasboro Thompsonville Thomson Thornton Tilden Tilton Timberlane Time Tinley Park Tiskilwa Toledo Tolono Toluca Tonica Topeka Toulon Tovey Towanda Tower Hill Tower Lakes Tremont Trenton Trilla Triumph Trivoli Trout Valley Troy Troy Grove Tuscola Twin Grove Ullin Union Union Hill Unity University Park Urbana Ursa Valier Valley City Valmeyer Vandalia Varna Venedy Venetian Village Venice Vergennes Vermilion Vermont Vernon Vernon Hills Verona Versailles Victoria Vienna Villa Grove Villa Park Viola Virden Virgil Virginia Volo Wadsworth Waggoner Walnut Walnut Hill Walshville Waltonville Wamac Wapella Warren Warrensburg Warrenville Warsaw Washburn Washington Washington Park Wataga Waterloo Waterman Watseka Watson Wauconda Waukegan Waverly Wayne Wayne City Waynesville Wedron Weldon Wellington Wenona Wenonah West Brooklyn West Chicago West City West Dundee West Frankfort West Liberty West Peoria West Point West Salem West Union West York Westchester Western Springs Westervelt Westfield Westlake Village Westmont Westville Wheaton Wheeler Wheeling White City White Hall White Heath Whiteash Williamsfield Williamson Williamsville Willisville Willow Hill Willow Lake Willow Springs Willowbrook Wilmette Wilmington Wilsonville Wilton Center Winchester Windsor Winfield Winnebago Winnetka Winslow Winthrop Harbor Witt Wonder Lake Wood Dale Wood River Woodhull Woodland Woodlawn Woodridge Woodson Woodstock Worden Worth Wyanet Wyoming Xenia Yale Yates City Yorkville Zeigler Zion

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Reusable Grow Bags

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

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

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.