What to Plant in Iowa
Your complete gardening guide for Iowa (USDA Zones 4–6, typically Zone 5). Browse 1831 varieties across 28 categories — covering every zone in the state.
Last Frost
April 15 – May 10
By zone (6 → 4)
First Frost
September 25 – October 15
By zone (4 → 6)
Growing Season
135–180 days
Shortest → longest
Varieties
1831
across 28 categories
Growing Season
Plant after April 30 · Harvest before October 5
Iowa · Zones 4–6
All Zone 5 plants →Iowa spans Zones 4–6. The timeline above shows typical Zone 5 dates — your specific zone may vary by elevation and microclimate.
Best Crops for Iowa
1,831 varieties across 28 categories
Alliums
44 varieties for Iowa
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives.
Beans & Legumes
84 varieties for Iowa
Bush beans, pole beans, lentils, and more. Easy-to-grow protein for every garden.
Berries & Fruits
35 varieties for Iowa
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and small fruits for the home garden.
Brassicas
79 varieties for Iowa
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi.
Corn
32 varieties for Iowa
Sweet corn, popcorn, flour corn, and ornamental varieties.
Cucumbers
31 varieties for Iowa
Slicing, pickling, and specialty cucumbers for every garden size.
Eggplants
29 varieties for Iowa
Globe, Japanese, Thai, and specialty eggplant varieties.
Flowers
523 varieties for Iowa
Annual, perennial, and cut flowers to beautify your garden year-round.
Fruit Trees
27 varieties for Iowa
Apple, pear, cherry, peach, and citrus trees for the home orchard.
Grasses & Bamboo
31 varieties for Iowa
Ornamental grasses, lawn grasses, and bamboo varieties for structure and movement.
Ground Covers
24 varieties for Iowa
Low-growing plants that spread to cover soil, reduce weeds, and prevent erosion.
Herbs
83 varieties for Iowa
Culinary and medicinal herbs. Growing guides from basil to thyme.
Lettuce & Salad Greens
110 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
57 varieties for Iowa
Nutrient-dense seedlings harvested in 7-14 days. The fastest crop you can grow.
Native Wildflowers
88 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
34 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
73 varieties for Iowa
Hot peppers, sweet peppers, and everything in between. Find your perfect heat level.
Root Vegetables
56 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
34 varieties for Iowa
Large canopy trees for shade, privacy, and property value. Oaks, maples, elms, and more.
Shrubs & Hedges
46 varieties for Iowa
Flowering and evergreen shrubs for borders, hedges, and foundation plantings.
Squash & Cucumbers
60 varieties for Iowa
Summer squash, winter squash, zucchini, and cucumbers.
Tomatoes
90 varieties for Iowa
From heirloom beefsteaks to cherry varieties. Growing guides for every tomato type.
Tropical Plants
2 varieties for Iowa
Exotic tropical plants including palms, gingers, hibiscus, and bird of paradise.
Vines & Climbers
8 varieties for Iowa
Climbing plants for trellises, arbors, and walls. Clematis, wisteria, jasmine, and more.