USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 8 Planting Guide

Warm zone with mild winters and hot summers. Growing season runs 240+ days. Two strong cycles with possible year-round production of cool-season crops in winter. Summer heat shuts down greens and peas quickly. Fall is a major planting window for cool-season crops that produce through winter.

🌡️ Winter Low: 10–20°F ☀️ Summer High: 85–100°F 🔄 2 Growing Cycles/Year
Frost Risk
low
Heat Concern
high
Grow Cycles
2/yr
Shade Cloth
Recommended

What to Grow in Zone 8

Zone 8 supports 104 plants across multiple growing seasons. Here are some of the best options for your garden.

Spring Plants

Lettuce 35–60 days · Both Spinach 35–50 days · Direct sow Kale 50–65 days · Both Swiss Chard 45–60 days · Both Carrots 55–70 days · Direct sow Radishes 25–35 days · Direct sow Beets 50–65 days · Direct sow Potatoes 75–120 days · Tuber Broccoli 55–75 days · Transplant Cauliflower 55–85 days · Transplant Cabbage 70–110 days · Transplant Brussels Sprouts 90–120 days · Transplant

Summer Plants

Tomatoes 60–90 days · Transplant Cherry Tomatoes 55–75 days · Transplant Roma Tomatoes 70–80 days · Transplant Bell Peppers 65–90 days · Transplant Hot Peppers 65–90 days · Transplant Jalapeños 65–90 days · Transplant Habanero Peppers 75–100 days · Transplant Cucumbers 50–70 days · Both Zucchini 45–60 days · Both Summer/Winter Squash 50–100 days · Both Bush Beans 50–60 days · Direct sow Pole Beans 60–70 days · Direct sow

Fall Plants

Lettuce 35–60 days · Both Spinach 35–50 days · Direct sow Kale 50–65 days · Both Swiss Chard 45–60 days · Both Carrots 55–70 days · Direct sow Radishes 25–35 days · Direct sow Beets 50–65 days · Direct sow Potatoes 75–120 days · Tuber Broccoli 55–75 days · Transplant Cauliflower 55–85 days · Transplant Cabbage 70–110 days · Transplant Brussels Sprouts 90–120 days · Transplant

Year-Round Plants

Green Onions 50–70 days · Both Basil 45–70 days · Both Parsley 60–80 days · Both Mint 50–60 days · Transplant Rosemary 90–120 days · Transplant Oregano 70–90 days · Transplant Thyme 70–90 days · Transplant Sage 75–90 days · Transplant Lavender 90–120 days · Transplant Blueberries 365+ days · Transplant Blackberries 365+ days · Transplant Grapes 365+ days · Transplant

Garden Kits for Zone 8

These curated plant collections are designed to work in your zone.

🌶️
Salsa Box
Everything for fresh homemade salsa, all season long.
5 plants
 🥗
Salad Lovers
Fresh salad greens and toppings straight from your garden.
6 plants
 🥕
Kid-Friendly Crunch
High-engagement crops kids love to pick and eat.
5 plants
 🥬
Smoothie Greens
Nutrient-packed greens for smoothies and juicing.
4 plants
 🌿
Herb Heaven
The essential culinary herb collection.
5 plants
 🇲🇹
Italian Feast
Classic Italian garden: tomatoes, basil, zucchini, and garlic.
5 plants
 🌮
Taco Night
Grow your own taco toppings: fresh lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro.
5 plants
 ☀️
Summer Bounty
The best of summer: cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, and basil.
4 plants
 🐝
Pollinator Paradise
Flowers that attract pollinators and look gorgeous in your garden beds.
4 plants
 🍲
Exotic Asia
Asian-inspired garden with bok choy, Thai basil, lemongrass, and more.
5 plants
 🌈
Beautiful Foods
Colorful, photogenic crops that look as good as they taste.
6 plants
 🥦
Brassica Box
The cool-season powerhouse: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and more.
8 plants
 🍿
Snack Garden
Grab-and-go snacking crops the whole family will graze on.
4 plants
 🍓
Strawberry Patch
A dedicated strawberry bed with companion flowers and herbs.
3 plants
 🇱🇪
Mediterranean
Sun-loving flavors of the Mediterranean: eggplant, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
5 plants
 🍸
Happy Hour
Cocktail garden essentials: fresh herbs and garnish crops for drinks.
5 plants
 🥢
Asian Stir Fry
Stir fry essentials: bok choy, scallions, cilantro, snow peas, and Thai basil.
5 plants

Create Your Own Plant Playlist

Use our kit themes as a starting point and build a custom planting plan for your garden.

Create a Playlist

Growing Tips for Zone 8

❄️ Frost Protection
Zone 8 has low frost risk. Cover tender plants when overnight lows drop below 35°F. Use row covers, cloches, or bring containers indoors.
☀️ Heat Management
Summer highs reach 85–100°F in Zone 8. Use 30-50% shade cloth over cool-season crops. Water deeply in the morning.
🪲 Common Pests
Watch for: aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, spider mites. Use companion planting and row covers as first-line defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grows best in Zone 8?
Zone 8 supports 104 different plants. Popular choices include tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and leafy greens. The best picks depend on the season — warm-season crops thrive in spring/summer while cool-season crops do better in fall/winter.
What is USDA Hardiness Zone 8?
USDA Zone 8 has winter lows of 10–20°F and summer highs of 85–100°F. Frost risk is low and heat concern is high. You can expect 2 growing cycles per year.
When should I start planting in Zone 8?
Timing varies by crop. Cool-season crops can often be started in early spring or fall. Warm-season crops should wait until after the last frost risk passes. Check our individual plant guides for zone-specific planting windows.
Do I need shade cloth in Zone 8?
Yes, shade cloth is recommended in Zone 8 during the hottest months. Use 30-50% shade cloth over cool-season crops and heat-sensitive plants to protect them from sun stress.

Cities in Zone 8

57 major cities fall in Zone 8. Select yours for a local planting guide.

Dallas TX · 8a Fort Worth TX · 8a Charlotte NC · 8a Washington DC · 8a El Paso TX · 8a Atlanta GA · 8a Raleigh NC · 8a Virginia Beach VA · 8a Arlington TX · 8a Plano TX · 8a Durham NC · 8a Irving TX · 8a Winston-Salem NC · 8a Chesapeake VA · 8a Garland TX · 8a Norfolk VA · 8b

+ 41 more cities · View all cities

Explore Other Zones

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13