Ultimate guide to gardening in USDA hardiness Zone 8

Climate and growing conditions

Zone 8’s relatively mild winters and long warm season allow gardeners to grow a wide variety of plants—including tender perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even citrus with little winter protection.

Typical frost dates in Zone 8

This gives Zone 8 gardeners a frost-free growing season of about 210 to 240 days, allowing plenty of time for a wide variety of warm- and cool-season crops.

Best plants for Zone 8

Vegetables for planting

✅ Pea – Cool-season crop best planted in late winter or very early spring; thrives in Zone 8’s mild start to the season.

✅ Arugula  – Grows quickly in cooler temperatures; perfect for early spring and fall plantings.

✅ Cucumber – Loves the warmth and full sun; plant after last frost for fast-growing summer harvests.

✅ Brussels sprouts – Long-season crop that benefits from Zone 8’s mild fall; plant midsummer for fall harvest.

✅ Tomato – A heat-loving favorite that flourishes in Zone 8’s long growing season; start indoors and transplant after frost danger passes.

✅ Spinach – Cool-weather green that grows best in early spring or fall; quick to bolt in summer heat.

✅ Beets –Tolerant of cool temps; plant in early spring and again in late summer.

✅ Zucchini – Very productive summer squash that thrives in warm soil and plenty of sun.

✅ Cabbages – Great for spring or early fall growing in Zone 8.

✅ Potato –  Plant in early spring as soon as soil can be worked; prefers cooler temps.

✅ Radish – Fast-growing root vegetable ideal for spring and fall planting.

✅ Broccoli – Needs steady, mild temperatures; plant in early spring or early fall to avoid heat.

✅ Carrot –Slow to mature but sweetens with cool weather; perfect for spring and fall crops.

✅ Cauliflower  – Temperature-sensitive like broccoli; thrives in Zone 8’s mild seasons.

✅ Onion – Can be grown from seed, sets, or transplants; start in late winter for late spring harvest.

Herbs to try

✅ Savory – Summer savory grows fast in warm weather; winter savory is a hardy perennial that overwinters well in Zone 8.

✅ Anise – Needs a long, warm growing season; sow in full sun after the last frost.

✅ Borage – Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; self-seeds easily and tolerates both spring and fall temperatures.

✅ Epazote – Grows best in full sun and warmth; great for Zone 8 as a summer annual or overwintered indoors.

✅ Lemon balm – A hardy perennial that spreads easily and tolerates Zone 8 winters; grows well in sun to part shade.

✅ Marjoram –  Tender perennial often grown as an annual in cooler areas, but may overwinter in Zone 8 with mulch.

✅ Parsley – Biennial that thrives in cool weather; plant in early spring or fall and it can overwinter in mild winters.

✅ Dill – Prefers cool weather; sow successively in spring and again in fall for extended harvests.

✅ Fennel – Prefers cool weather; sow successively in spring and again in fall for extended harvests.

✅ Sage – A perennial herb that thrives in Zone 8’s full sun; benefits from good drainage and light winter mulch.

✅ Thyme – Heat- and drought-tolerant; this low-growing perennial loves the sunny, dry spots in a Zone 8 garden.

✅ Oregano – Tough, sun-loving perennial that handles Zone 8 heat and occasional winter cold with ease.

✅ Mustard – Cool-season green that grows fast in early spring or fall; may bolt in the summer heat.

✅ Mint – Vigorous and easy to grow in moist soil and part sun.

✅ Lavender – Choose heat- and humidity-tolerant varieties; thrives in dry, sunny, well-drained spots.

✅ Rosemary – Perennial in Zone 8 with some winter protection; prefers full sun and good drainage.

✅ Basil – A tender annual that thrives in Zone 8’s warm climate. Sow seeds or transplant after the last frost when soil is warm. It loves full sun, consistent moisture, and grows rapidly in the summer heat. Since it’s sensitive to cold, harvest before fall frost or grow in pots to bring indoors later.

✅ Cilantro – Cool-season herb that bolts quickly in heat; best grown in early spring and late summer.

Flowers to grow in Zone 8

✅ Zinnias – These annuals love the sun and heat, blooming from summer to frost in bright, bold colors. Great for borders and cutting gardens.

✅ Marigolds – Heat-tolerant and easy to grow, marigolds help repel pests and add vibrant gold, orange, and red hues.

✅ Coneflowers (Echinacea) – Tough, long-blooming perennials that attract pollinators and thrive in full sun and poor soil.

✅ Black-eyed susan – A sunny yellow perennial or biennial that blooms through late summer and tolerates heat and drought.

✅ Salvia – Available in many colors, salvias attract hummingbirds and do well in dry, sunny locations.

✅ Coreopsis – Hardy and heat-loving, these bright daisy-like flowers bloom for weeks in yellow, pink, or red shades.

✅ Lantana – A tender perennial often grown as an annual, lantana has clusters of multi-colored blooms and thrives in full sun and hot weather.

✅ Verbena – A low-maintenance annual or perennial with small, clustered flowers that bloom all season long.

✅ Phlox – Both creeping and tall garden varieties work well in Zone 8, offering fragrant blooms in a range of colors.

✅ Daylilies – Tough, resilient perennials that bloom in waves throughout summer. Available in many colors and forms.

✅ Gaillardia (Blanket flower) – A long-blooming, drought-tolerant perennial with fiery red, orange, and yellow blooms.

✅ Sunflowers – Fast-growing and cheerful annuals that love the heat and make great cut flowers or bird feeders.

✅ Petunias – Annuals with nonstop blooms, ideal for containers and hanging baskets.

Fruit trees & berries

✅ Apple trees – Choose low-chill varieties like Anna, Dorsett Golden, or Fuji. Great for fresh eating and baking.

✅ Pear trees – Varieties like Hood, Kieffer, and Orient do very well in Zone 8. They’re relatively low maintenance.

✅ Peach trees – Zone 8 is perfect for peaches. Look for varieties like Redhaven, Elberta, or Florida King.

✅ Nectarines – Similar to peaches but with smooth skin. Sunred and Fantasia are good Zone 8 choices.

✅ Plum trees – Methley and Santa Rosa plums are both reliable and productive.

✅ Fig trees – Super well-suited to Zone 8. ‘Celeste,’ ‘Brown Turkey,’ and ‘LSU Purple’ are great options.

✅ Pomegranate – Loves heat and drought. ‘Wonderful’ is a popular variety.

✅ Persimmon – American and Asian types (like Fuyu and Hachiya) both thrive here.

✅ Citrus (in containers or with winter protection) – Lemons, limes, satsumas, and mandarins can grow well, especially in the warmer parts of Zone 8 or with protection.

✅ Strawberries – Choose everbearing or June-bearing types. Mulch in winter and watch out for birds!

✅ Blueberries – Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye varieties (like ‘Tifblue’ or ‘Climax’) are ideal for the acidic soils of Zone 8.

✅ Blackberries – Thornless types like ‘Apache,’ ‘Navaho,’ or ‘Arapaho’ are productive and easier to harvest.

✅ Raspberries – Fall-bearing types like ‘Heritage’ or ‘Caroline’ perform best, though heat tolerance is key.

✅ Grapes – Muscadine grapes do especially well in Zone 8’s heat and humidity. Bunch grapes like ‘Concord’ can work too.

✅ Gooseberries & Currants – These can grow in Zone 8, but they need some shade and good airflow to prevent heat stress.