What Growing Zone Is North Charleston?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given North Charleston 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 North Charleston's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature.Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used North Charleston's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

Latest SC growing zone map

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

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

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

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Raised Garden Bed Kit

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

Latest SC 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 North Charleston is in growing zone 9a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for North Charleston'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 North Charleston 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 North Charleston, SC.

The USDA hardiness zone is 9a for North Charleston. This is sometimes also referred to as the growing or planting zone. These terms are used interchangeably.

North Charleston's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 9a

Zip Codes: 29420, 29456, 29485, 29404, 29405, 29406, 29418, 29416, 29419, 29423

Longitude: -80.0722

Latitude: 32.9067

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): 20 to 25

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

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

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.

Map of the North Charleston Area

All Towns In SC

Abbeville Abney Crossroads Adams Run Aiken Alcolu Allendale Anderson Andrews Antreville Arcadia Arcadia Lakes Arial Arkwright Arthurtown Ashwood Atlantic Beach Awendaw Aynor Bamberg Barnwell Batesburg-Leesville Baxter Village Beaufort Beech Island Belton Belvedere Ben Avon Bennettsville Berea Bethune Bishopville Blacksburg Blackville Blenheim Bluffton Blythewood Boiling Springs Bonneau Bonneau Beach Bowman Boykin Bradley Branchville Briarcliffe Acres Brookdale Browntown Brunson Bucksport Buffalo Buford Burnettown Burton Caesars Head Calhoun Falls Camden Cameron Camp Croft Campobello Cane Savannah Capitol View Carlisle Carolina Forest Cash Catawba Cateechee Cayce Centenary Centerville Central Central Pacolet Chapin Charleston Cheraw Cherokee Falls Cherryvale Chesnee Chester Chesterfield Chickasaw Point City View Clarks Hill Clearwater Clemson Clemson University Clifton Clinton Clio Clover Cokesbury Columbia Conestee Converse Conway Coosawhatchie Cope Cordova Coronaca Cottageville Coward Cowpens Cross Anchor Cross Hill Dacusville Dale Dalzell Danwood Darlington Daufuskie Island Daviston DeBordieu Colony Denmark Dentsville Dillon Donalds Dovesville Drayton Due West Dunbar Duncan Dunean Easley East Camden East Gaffney East Sumter Eastover Edgefield Edisto Edisto Beach Edmund Ehrhardt Elgin Elko Elliott Elloree Enoree Estill Eureka Mill Eutawville Fair Play Fairfax Fairforest Fairview Crossroads Fingerville Finklea Five Forks Florence Floydale Folly Beach Forest Acres Forestbrook Foreston Fort Lawn Fort Mill Fountain Inn Fripp Island Furman Gadsden Gaffney Gantt Garden City Gaston Gayle Mill Georgetown Gifford Gilbert Gillisonville Glendale Glenn Springs Gloverville Golden Grove Goose Creek Govan Gramling Graniteville Gray Court Great Falls Greeleyville Green Sea Greenville Greenwood Greer Grover Hamer Hampton Hanahan Harbor Island Hardeeville Harleyville Hartsville Heath Springs Helena Hemingway Hickory Grove Hilda Hilltop Hilton Head Island Hodges Holly Hill Hollywood Homeland Park Homewood Honea Path Hopkins India Hook Inman Inman Mills Irmo Irwin Islandton Isle of Palms Iva Jackson Jacksonboro James Island Jamestown Jefferson Jenkinsville Joanna Johnsonville Johnston Jonesville Judson Keowee Key Kershaw Ketchuptown Kiawah Island Kingstree Kline La France Ladson Lake City Lake Murray of Richland Lake Secession Lake View Lake Wylie Lakewood Lamar Lancaster Landrum Lane Langley Latta Laurel Bay Laurens Lesslie Lexington Liberty Lincolnville Litchfield Beach Little Mountain Little River Little Rock Live Oak Livingston Lobeco Lockhart Lodge Longcreek Loris Lowndesville Lowrys Lugoff Luray Lydia Lyman Lynchburg Manning Manville Marion Mauldin Mayesville Mayo McBee McClellanville McColl McConnells McCormick Meggett Modoc Monarch Mill Moncks Corner Monetta Mount Carmel Mount Croghan Mount Pleasant Mountville Mulberry Mullins Murphys Estates Murrells Inlet Myrtle Beach Neeses New Ellenton Newberry Newport Newry Newtown Nichols Ninety Six Norris North North Augusta North Charleston North Hartsville North Myrtle Beach North Santee Northlake Norway Oak Grove Oakland Olanta Olar Olympia Orangeburg Oswego Pacolet Pageland Pamplico Parker Parksville Patrick Pauline Pawleys Island Paxville Peak Pelion Pelzer Pendleton Perry Pickens Piedmont Pimlico Pine Ridge Pinewood Pinopolis Plum Branch Pomaria Port Royal Powdersville Princeton Privateer Promised Land Prosperity Quinby Rains Ravenel Red Bank Red Hill Reevesville Reidville Rembert Richburg Ridge Spring Ridgeland Ridgeville Ridgeway Riverview Rock Hill Rockville Roebuck Rowesville Ruby Russellville Saint Charles Salem Salley Saluda Sandy Springs Sangaree Sans Souci Santee Saxon Scotia Scranton Seabrook Seabrook Island Sellers Seneca Seven Oaks Sharon Sheldon Shell Point Shiloh Silverstreet Simpsonville Six Mile Slater-Marietta Smoaks Smyrna Snelling Socastee Society Hill South Congaree South Sumter South Union Southern Shops Spartanburg Springdale Springfield St. Andrews St. George St. Matthews St. Stephen Starr Startex Stateburg Stuckey Sullivan's Island Summerton Summerville Summit Sumter Surfside Beach Swansea Sycamore Tamassee Tatum Taylors Tega Cay The Cliffs Valley Tigerville Timmonsville Tradesville Travelers Rest Trenton Troy Turbeville Ulmer Union Unity Utica Valley Falls Van Wyck Vance Varnville Wade Hampton Wagener Walhalla Wallace Walterboro Ward Ware Place Ware Shoals Warrenville Waterloo Watts Mills Wedgefield Welcome Wellford West Columbia West Pelzer West Union Westminster White Knoll Whitmire Whitney Wilkinson Heights Williams Williamston Willington Williston Windsor Winnsboro Winnsboro Mills Wisacky Woodfield Woodford Woodruff Wyboo Yemassee York Zion

Raised Garden Bed Kit

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

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

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

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

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

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

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