USDA Hardiness Zone 3A Growing Guide
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023
Northern Minnesota, Montana, and interior Alaska — cold-hardy perennials and short-season crops.
Where Zone 3A sits on the national map
Zone 3A highlighted in dark green; neighboring zones in their reference colors. Tap a neighboring zone to compare.
Source: USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 · PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University · 1991-2020 normals
Zone Position
Key Facts — Zone 3A
- Avg. coldest night: -40°F to -35°F (-40°C to -37.2°C) — the band of average annual extreme minimum temperatures that defines this zone (USDA ARS PHZM 2023)
- What that means: in an average year your coldest night lands somewhere in that 5°F window. Actual lows can drop colder in extreme winters; daytime highs are not bounded by this number.
- Found In: 6 US states, including Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota and 3 more
- Growing Considerations: Northern Minnesota, Montana, and interior Alaska — cold-hardy perennials and short-season crops.
What Is Zone 3A?
USDA Hardiness Zone 3A is defined by an average annual extreme minimum temperature between -40°F and -35°F (-40°C to -37.2°C), according to the USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023.
Coldest avg. low
-40°F
USDA PHZM 2023
Warmest avg. low
-35°F
USDA PHZM 2023
Coldest avg. low (°C)
-40°C
USDA PHZM 2023
States
6
Plants That Thrive in Zone 3A
Plants well-adapted to the temperature range of this zone.
Rhubarb
Potato
Currant
Spruce
Your Zone Is Just One Factor
Hardiness zone tells you about winter cold tolerance — but it doesn't tell you about soil drainage, summer heat, frost dates, flood risk, or contamination proximity. Two Zone 3A parcels can have very different growing outcomes. Your Growable Ground report scores 1,112 plants against all these factors for your specific address.
Your zone is a starting point — your parcel is the whole story
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Frequently Asked Questions
What plants grow in Zone 3A?
Northern Minnesota, Montana, and interior Alaska — cold-hardy perennials and short-season crops. Common plants that thrive include Rhubarb, Potato, Currant, Spruce. Actual suitability depends on your parcel's soil, drainage, and microclimate.
What states have Zone 3A?
Zone 3A appears across 6 US states: Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming.
What temperature is USDA Zone 3A?
USDA Hardiness Zone 3A is defined by an average annual extreme minimum temperature between -40°F and -35°F (-40°C to -37.2°C), per the USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023.