What to Plant in Iowa
Your complete gardening guide for Iowa (USDA Zone 5). Browse 1077 varieties across 28 categories with zone-specific planting dates.
Last Frost
April 30
Safe to plant after
First Frost
October 5
Harvest before
Growing Season
155 days
Varieties
1077
across 28 categories
Growing Season
Plant after April 30 · Harvest before October 5
Iowa · Zone 5
All Zone 5 plants →Best Crops for Iowa
Alliums
35 varieties for Iowa
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives.
Beans & Legumes
58 varieties for Iowa
Bush beans, pole beans, lentils, and more. Easy-to-grow protein for every garden.
Berries & Fruits
25 varieties for Iowa
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and small fruits for the home garden.
Brassicas
49 varieties for Iowa
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi.
Corn
31 varieties for Iowa
Sweet corn, popcorn, flour corn, and ornamental varieties.
Cucumbers
30 varieties for Iowa
Slicing, pickling, and specialty cucumbers for every garden size.
Eggplants
30 varieties for Iowa
Globe, Japanese, Thai, and specialty eggplant varieties.
Flowers
53 varieties for Iowa
Annual, perennial, and cut flowers to beautify your garden year-round.
Fruit Trees
28 varieties for Iowa
Apple, pear, cherry, peach, and citrus trees for the home orchard.
Grasses & Bamboo
17 varieties for Iowa
Ornamental grasses, lawn grasses, and bamboo varieties for structure and movement.
Ground Covers
25 varieties for Iowa
Low-growing plants that spread to cover soil, reduce weeds, and prevent erosion.
Herbs
42 varieties for Iowa
Culinary and medicinal herbs. Growing guides from basil to thyme.
Lettuce & Salad Greens
52 varieties for Iowa
Romaine, butterhead, looseleaf, and specialty salad greens for every season.
Melons
38 varieties for Iowa
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and specialty melons.
Microgreens
36 varieties for Iowa
Nutrient-dense seedlings harvested in 7-14 days. The fastest crop you can grow.
Native Wildflowers
21 varieties for Iowa
Region-native wildflowers that support pollinators and require minimal maintenance.
Nut Trees
23 varieties for Iowa
Pecan, walnut, almond, hazelnut, and chestnut trees for home orchards.
Ornamental Trees
39 varieties for Iowa
Flowering and decorative trees for landscaping. Dogwoods, magnolias, Japanese maples, and more.
Peas
35 varieties for Iowa
Snap peas, snow peas, shelling peas, and pea shoots.
Peppers
71 varieties for Iowa
Hot peppers, sweet peppers, and everything in between. Find your perfect heat level.
Root Vegetables
43 varieties for Iowa
Carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, and other underground crops.
Roses
55 varieties for Iowa
Hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, shrub roses, and old garden varieties.
Shade Trees
35 varieties for Iowa
Large canopy trees for shade, privacy, and property value. Oaks, maples, elms, and more.
Shrubs & Hedges
36 varieties for Iowa
Flowering and evergreen shrubs for borders, hedges, and foundation plantings.
Squash & Cucumbers
51 varieties for Iowa
Summer squash, winter squash, zucchini, and cucumbers.
Tomatoes
88 varieties for Iowa
From heirloom beefsteaks to cherry varieties. Growing guides for every tomato type.
Tropical Plants
4 varieties for Iowa
Exotic tropical plants including palms, gingers, hibiscus, and bird of paradise.
Vines & Climbers
27 varieties for Iowa
Climbing plants for trellises, arbors, and walls. Clematis, wisteria, jasmine, and more.