Rice is an annual grown for its grain, ready to harvest about 120 days after sowing. It's hardy across USDA zones 5 through 12. As a grass, give it a fresh bed each year — away from where its relatives just grew — so the soil-borne pests and diseases of the family never get a foothold.
Zones
5-12
pH Range
4.5-9
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
120
Score Rice on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether rice actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score rice against your land's real conditions.
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What Rice is
Rice grows as an annual and reaches around 3.5 feet at maturity.
How to grow Rice
Rice grows in USDA zones 5 through 12 and is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting. Rice does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 9, on consistently moist ground. It needs around 2,500 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 80 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
5-12
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 9
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
50°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
120 days
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
2500+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
3.5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
80+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant rice in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Rice prefers pH 4.5 to 9 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at maturity
Rice is ready about 120 days after sowing (University Extension production guides). Harvest once the heads are dry and the grain has gone hard.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — rice isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Rice isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Rice thrives
On hardiness alone, rice grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 5 through 12) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 5–12·Where Rice growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Rice can grow in these states:
See if Rice will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether rice actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Rice in my zone?
Rice grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 12 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Rice take to grow?
Rice is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting (University Extension production guides). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Rice?
Most growers plant rice after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 80-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Rice need?
Rice needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Rice need?
Rice prefers soil pH 4.5 to 9, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Rice attract pollinators?
Rice isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Rice safe for pets?
Rice is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.