State reference · Midwest
Illinois
Illinois (IL) covers 5 primary USDA hardiness zones across 1,545 zip codes. Capital: Springfield.
USDA hardiness zones in Illinois
Zone share is computed from the 1,545 zip codes within Illinois. The most common zone is the best starting point for state-wide guidance; check your local zip for microclimate accuracy.
State-wide baseline
Zone 6a covers the largest share of Illinois, with winter lows around -10°F to -5°F and a typical growing season of 180 days. Zone 6a guide →
Crops suited to Illinois
Crops whose recommended USDA zone range overlaps Illinois's dominant zones. 91 crops match.
Tree fruit
14 crops
American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
zones 4b–9a
Apple
Malus domestica
zones 3a–9a
Apricot
Prunus armeniaca
zones 5a–8a
Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
European Plum
Prunus domestica
zones 4a–8a
Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
Japanese Plum
Prunus salicina
zones 5b–9a
Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
zones 6a–9b
Berries
21 crops
Aronia (Black Chokeberry)
Aronia melanocarpa
zones 3a–8a
Black Currant
Ribes nigrum
zones 3a–7a
Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
zones 4a–8a
Blackberry
Rubus subgenus Rubus
zones 5a–9a
Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
zones 3a–7a
Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
zones 3b–9a
Everbearing Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa
zones 3b–9a
Goji Berry
Lycium barbarum
zones 3b–10a
Nuts
6 cropsVegetables
40 crops
Arugula
Eruca vesicaria
zones 3b–9a
Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
zones 3b–8b
Beet
Beta vulgaris
zones 3a–9a
Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
zones 3a–9a
Brussels Sprouts
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
zones 3b–8a
Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
zones 3b–9a
Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
zones 3a–9a
Herbs
10 crops
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
zones 4a–10b
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
zones 3a–8b
Cilantro / Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
zones 3b–9b
Dill
Anethum graveolens
zones 3b–9a
Mint
Mentha species
zones 3b–9b
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
zones 4a–9b
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
zones 3b–9b
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
zones 7a–10b
Largest cities in Illinois
Cities ranked by population (GeoNames public-domain data). Each city has a curated planting reference with its USDA zone, frost dates, and recommended crops.
- ChicagoZone 6b · 2,664,452
- AuroraZone 5b · 200,661
- RockfordZone 5b · 148,278
- JolietZone 6a · 147,861
- NapervilleZone 5b · 147,100
- PeoriaZone 6a · 115,070
- SpringfieldZone 6a · 114,394
- North PeoriaZone 6a · 113,004
- ElginZone 5b · 112,111
- WaukeganZone 6a · 88,475
- ChampaignZone 6a · 86,096
- CiceroZone 6a · 83,886
Curated zip pages in Illinois
- Arlington Heights 60006
- Waukegan 60079
- Elgin 60121
- Joliet 60434
- Aurora 60507
- Naperville 60567
- Chicago 60601
- Chicago 60602
- Chicago 60605
- Chicago 60607
- Chicago 60608
- Chicago 60609
- Chicago 60610
- Chicago 60611
- Chicago 60612
- Chicago 60613
- Chicago 60614
- Chicago 60615
- Chicago 60616
- Chicago 60617
- Chicago 60618
- Chicago 60619
- Chicago 60620
- Chicago 60621
- Chicago 60622
- Chicago 60623
- Chicago 60624
- Chicago 60625
- Chicago 60626
- Chicago 60628
- Chicago 60629
- Chicago 60630
- Chicago 60631
- Chicago 60632
- Chicago 60633
- Chicago 60634
- Chicago 60636
- Chicago 60637
- Chicago 60638
- Chicago 60639
- Chicago 60640
- Chicago 60641
- Chicago 60642
- Chicago 60643
- Chicago 60644
- Chicago 60645
- Chicago 60646
- Chicago 60647
- Chicago 60649
- Chicago 60651
- Chicago 60652
- Chicago 60653
- Chicago 60654
- Chicago 60655
- Chicago 60656
- Chicago 60657
- Chicago 60659
- Chicago 60660
- Chicago 60661
- Chicago 60664
- Chicago 60668
- Chicago 60669
- Chicago 60670
- Chicago 60673
- Chicago 60674
- Chicago 60675
- Chicago 60677
- Chicago 60678
- Chicago 60680
- Chicago 60681
- Chicago 60682
- Chicago 60684
- Chicago 60685
- Chicago 60686
- Chicago 60687
- Chicago 60688
- Chicago 60689
- Chicago 60690
- Chicago 60691
- Chicago 60693
- Chicago 60694
- Chicago 60695
- Chicago 60696
- Chicago 60697
- Chicago 60699
- Chicago 60701
- Cicero 60804
- Rockford 61105
- Peoria 61602
- Peoria 61603
- Bloomington 61701
- Champaign 61824
- Springfield 62705
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