Canadian Plant Hardiness Zones

Plant hardiness zones are guidelines.  They cannot predict:

• freak frosts

• the effects of rainfall or lack of rain

• extended cool springs or heat waves

• and many other things that can and will affect your gardening success.

 

They are meant as a guide, to be used along with common sense.  You can't grow bananas in Canada.

 

Hardiness zones were developed by the Canadian Government in the early 1960s.  Using historical data measuring minimum/maximum temperatures, frost-free days, rainfall, snow depth, and max wind gusts they were able to divide Canada into 10 distinct regions, called Hardiness Zones.  (Oullet and Sherk, (1967a,b,c) 

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The purpose is to provide gardeners and farmers alike with guidance on what plants could reliably be grown in their area.  In response to climate change, Natural Resources Canada has updated their climate zone map.  This latest publication, shown above is from May, 2026.

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Use this map with caution! Watch the weather and always be prepared.  Today's climate is unpredictable.  

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For detailed information about your specific hardiness zone, visit:   https://planthardiness.gc.ca/