Perennials for zone 7
USDA Hardiness Zone 7 covers places where the average annual minimum winter temperature falls between 0°F and 10°F (-17.8°C and -12.2°C). That single number tells you how cold a typical winter gets in your area, and it is the main test a perennial has to pass before it earns a spot on this list. The nine plants below are perennials, meaning they live for more than two growing seasons and die back and return rather than finishing their life cycle in one year. Each one is included here because it is suited to the winter cold of zone 7. The zone number says nothing about how hot your summers get, how much rain falls, or what your soil is like. Two gardens can share a zone 7 rating and still differ a lot in humidity, wind, and soil drainage. Treat the zone as a starting filter, not a full growing guide. To use this list, check your own zone first, since many areas use half-steps such as 7a and 7b that shift the cold end of the range. Then look at each plant's own page for its light, water, and soil needs before you plant it. A perennial that survives zone 7 winters can still fail if it sits in wet soil over winter or gets too little sun in summer. Use the list to narrow your choices, then check the details that matter for your own yard.
Compared side by side
| Plant | Hardiness | Height | Light | Cats | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear's BreechAcanthus mollis | Zones 7a–10b | 4–6 ft (1.22–1.83 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Common YarrowAchillea millefolium | Zones 3a–9b | 1–3.3 ft (0.3–1 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic | Toxic |
| CalamusAcorus calamus | Zones 4a–10b | 2–2.5 ft (0.61–0.76 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Blue Giant HyssopAgastache foeniculum | Zones 4a–8b | 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Devil's TongueAmorphophallus konjac | Zones 6a–11b | 4–6 ft (1.22–1.83 m) | Part shade, full sun and full shade (part shade preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| IndianhempApocynum cannabinum | Zones 3a–11b | 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic |
| Greater BurdockArctium lappa | Zones 3a–10b | 2–10 ft (0.61–3.05 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Mountain ArnicaArnica montana | Zones 4a–9b | 0.5–2 ft (0.15–0.61 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| AbsinthiumArtemisia absinthium | Zones 3a–9b | 1.3–5 ft (0.4–1.52 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic (1 source) |
| Common WormwoodArtemisia vulgaris | Zones 3a–8b | 2–6 ft (0.61–1.83 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Common MilkweedAsclepias syriaca | Zones 3a–9b | 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) | Full sun | Toxic | Toxic |
| Butterfly MilkweedAsclepias tuberosa | Zones 3a–9b | 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic (1 source) |
| Cast Iron PlantAspidistra elatior | Zones 7a–11b | 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) | Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| BelladonnaAtropa bella-donna | Zones 5a–9b | 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic | Toxic |
| LawndaisyBellis perennis | Zones 4a–8b | 0.3–0.5 ft (0.08–0.15 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Cayenne PepperCapsicum annuum | Zones 4a–11b | 1–4 ft (0.3–1.22 m) | Full sun | Toxic | Toxic |
| Canada ThistleCirsium arvense | Zones 4a–7b | 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Field BindweedConvolvulus arvensis | Not documented | Not documented | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Uruguayan Pampas GrassCortaderia selloana | Zones 6a–10b | 6–12 ft (1.83–3.66 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| BermudagrassCynodon dactylon | Zones 6a–10b | 0.2–0.5 ft (0.07–0.15 m) | Full sun | Not documented | Not documented |
| Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpurea | Zones 3a–8b | 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Queen of the MeadowFilipendula ulmaria | Zones 3a–9b | 4 ft (1.22 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Woodland StrawberryFragaria vesca | Zones 4a–9b | 0.7–0.8 ft (0.2–0.25 m) | Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Sweetscented BedstrawGalium odoratum | Zones 4a–8b | 0.5–1 ft (0.15–0.3 m) | Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Ground IvyGlechoma hederacea | Not documented | 0.2–1 ft (0.05–0.3 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| DaylilyHemerocallis fulva | Zones 3a–8b | 3–6 ft (0.91–1.83 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic | Non-toxic |
| Common CowparsnipHeracleum maximum | Zones 4a–10a | 3.3–9.8 ft (1–3 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic (1 source) |
| ChameleonHouttuynia cordata | Zones 4a–10b | 0.5–1.7 ft (0.15–0.51 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Common HopHumulus lupulus | Zones 5a–8b | Sources differ: Utah State University Extension; Utah State University Extension | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Toxic |
| Common St. JohnswortHypericum perforatum | Zones 3a–8b | 1–3.3 ft (0.3–1 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic | Toxic |
| CardinalflowerLobelia cardinalis | Zones 3a–9b | 4–5 ft (1.22–1.52 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic (1 source) |
| Wild BergamotMonarda fistulosa | Zones 3a–9b | 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Sacred LotusNelumbo nucifera | Zones 4a–10b | 5–8 ft (1.52–2.44 m) | Full sun | Not documented | Not documented |
| Peruvian GroundcherryPhysalis peruviana | Zones 3a–9b | 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) | Full sun | Not documented | Not documented |
| American PokeweedPhytolacca americana | Zones 4a–8b | 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic |
| Narrowleaf PlantainPlantago lanceolata | Zones 5a–9b | Not documented | Full sun | Not documented | Not documented |
| Kentucky BluegrassPoa pratensis | Zones 3a–7b | 0.3–3 ft (0.1–0.91 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Indian StrawberryPotentilla indica | Zones 5a–9b | 0.2–0.7 ft (0.08–0.2 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Common SelfhealPrunella vulgaris | Zones 3a–9b | 1.7 ft (0.51 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Carolina HorsenettleSolanum carolinense | Zones 7a–10b | 3–3.9 ft (0.91–1.2 m) | Full sun | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic (1 source) |
| Canada GoldenrodSolidago canadensis | Zones 5a–9b | 2–4 ft (0.61–1.22 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Common ComfreySymphytum officinale | Zones 4a–8b | 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Red CloverTrifolium pratense | Zones 3a–9b | 0.5–2 ft (0.15–0.61 m) | Full sun | Not documented | Not documented |
| White CloverTrifolium repens | Zones 3a–10b | 0.3–0.5 ft (0.1–0.15 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Stinging NettleUrtica dioica | Zones 4a–10b | 10 ft (3.05 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic (1 source) | Toxic (1 source) |
| Common MulleinVerbascum thapsus | Zones 3a–9b | 3–10 ft (0.91–3.05 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Purpletop VervainVerbena bonariensis | Zones 7a–11b | 4–5 ft (1.22–1.52 m) | Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) | Not documented | Not documented |
| Adam's NeedleYucca filamentosa | Zones 4a–10b | 3–15 ft (0.91–4.57 m) | Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred) | Toxic | Toxic |
The plants
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Bear's Breech
Acanthus mollis
Zones 7a–10b · 4–6 ft (1.22–1.83 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · 1–3.3 ft (0.3–1 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
Achillea millefolium is a perennial, so it keeps the same root system through more than one winter rather than growing fresh from seed each year. That trait is why it appears on this zone 7 group alongside the other eight picks.
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Calamus
Acorus calamus
Zones 4a–10b · 2–2.5 ft (0.61–0.76 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Blue Giant Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Zones 4a–8b · 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
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Devil's Tongue
Amorphophallus konjac
Zones 6a–11b · 4–6 ft (1.22–1.83 m) · Part shade, full sun and full shade (part shade preferred)
Amorphophallus konjac is grouped with the other perennials on this page because it returns year after year rather than completing its growth in a single season. Zone 7 is within the range of winter cold this plant list is built around.
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Indianhemp
Apocynum cannabinum
Zones 3a–11b · 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Greater Burdock
Arctium lappa
Zones 3a–10b · 2–10 ft (0.61–3.05 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Mountain Arnica
Arnica montana
Zones 4a–9b · 0.5–2 ft (0.15–0.61 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Absinthium
Artemisia absinthium
Zones 3a–9b · 1.3–5 ft (0.4–1.52 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Wormwood
Artemisia vulgaris
Zones 3a–8b · 2–6 ft (0.61–1.83 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9b · 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Zones 7a–11b · 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred)
As a perennial, Aspidistra elatior fits the zone 7 cold range this group is built from. Like the rest of the group, it lives on from year to year instead of dying off after one season.
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Belladonna
Atropa bella-donna
Zones 5a–9b · 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
Atropa bella-donna's perennial habit places it in this zone 7 group, since it comes back within that winter cold range rather than finishing in one season. It shares that trait with the other eight plants in this set.
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Lawndaisy
Bellis perennis
Zones 4a–8b · 0.3–0.5 ft (0.08–0.15 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Zones 4a–7b · 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Field Bindweed
Convolvulus arvensis
Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Uruguayan Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana
Zones 6a–10b · 6–12 ft (1.83–3.66 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Zones 3a–8b · 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Queen of the Meadow
Filipendula ulmaria
Zones 3a–9b · 4 ft (1.22 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Woodland Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 4a–9b · 0.7–0.8 ft (0.2–0.25 m) · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred)
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Sweetscented Bedstraw
Galium odoratum
Zones 4a–8b · 0.5–1 ft (0.15–0.3 m) · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred)
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Ground Ivy
Glechoma hederacea
0.2–1 ft (0.05–0.3 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
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Daylily
Hemerocallis fulva
Zones 3a–8b · 3–6 ft (0.91–1.83 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Cowparsnip
Heracleum maximum
Zones 4a–10a · 3.3–9.8 ft (1–3 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
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Chameleon
Houttuynia cordata
Zones 4a–10b · 0.5–1.7 ft (0.15–0.51 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Hop
Humulus lupulus
Zones 5a–8b · Sources differ: Utah State University Extension; Utah State University Extension · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Common St. Johnswort
Hypericum perforatum
Zones 3a–8b · 1–3.3 ft (0.3–1 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Cardinalflower
Lobelia cardinalis
Zones 3a–9b · 4–5 ft (1.22–1.52 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
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Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Sacred Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Zones 4a–10b · 5–8 ft (1.52–2.44 m) · Full sun
Nelumbo nucifera belongs here because its perennial habit lets it come back year after year within this zone's winter cold range. That is the same standard used to pick every other plant on this page.
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Peruvian Groundcherry
Physalis peruviana
Zones 3a–9b · 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) · Full sun
Physalis peruviana made this zone 7 list because it is a perennial, growing back year after year instead of finishing its life cycle in a single season. Its presence here reflects that shared trait with the rest of the group.
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American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Zones 4a–8b · 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
Phytolacca americana sits on this list as a perennial suited to the winter cold of zone 7. Along with the other eight plants here, it returns from the same root system each year rather than starting over from seed.
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Narrowleaf Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Zones 5a–9b · Full sun
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Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis
Zones 3a–7b · 0.3–3 ft (0.1–0.91 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Indian Strawberry
Potentilla indica
Zones 5a–9b · 0.2–0.7 ft (0.08–0.2 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Selfheal
Prunella vulgaris
Zones 3a–9b · 1.7 ft (0.51 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
Prunella vulgaris earns a spot here as a perennial that can survive the winter cold this zone 7 range describes. It joins the other eight plants here on that same basis.
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Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
Zones 7a–10b · 3–3.9 ft (0.91–1.2 m) · Full sun
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Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 5a–9b · 2–4 ft (0.61–1.22 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Zones 4a–8b · 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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White Clover
Trifolium repens
Zones 3a–10b · 0.3–0.5 ft (0.1–0.15 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Zones 4a–10b · 10 ft (3.05 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
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Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Zones 3a–9b · 3–10 ft (0.91–3.05 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
Verbascum thapsus closes out this list of nine as a perennial that fits the zone 7 cold range. Like each of the other plants grouped here, it lives on through more than one winter instead of growing fresh from seed every year.
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Purpletop Vervain
Verbena bonariensis
Zones 7a–11b · 4–5 ft (1.22–1.52 m) · Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)
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Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Zones 4a–10b · 3–15 ft (0.91–4.57 m) · Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)
How we chose
A herbaceous perennial, and hardy through at least zone 7a according to the cited sources
Photo credits
- Bear's Breech photo by Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Yarrow photo by Natalka Ukraine (baby-bear.org), CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Calamus photo by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Blue Giant Hyssop photo by Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Devil's Tongue photo by kiwa dokokano, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Indianhemp photo by Thayne Tuason, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Greater Burdock photo by Ilya Plekhanov, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Mountain Arnica photo by Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Absinthium photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Wormwood photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Milkweed photo by Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Butterfly Milkweed photo by Larry Jensen, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Cast Iron Plant photo by Digigalos, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Belladonna photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Lawndaisy photo by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Cayenne Pepper photo by George Chernilevsky, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- Canada Thistle photo by Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Field Bindweed photo by Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Uruguayan Pampas Grass photo by Rjcastillo, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Bermudagrass photo by Joydeep, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Purple Coneflower photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Queen of the Meadow photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Woodland Strawberry photo by Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Sweetscented Bedstraw photo by I.Sáček, senior, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- Ground Ivy photo by Michael Kurz, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Daylily photo by George Chernilevsky, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Cowparsnip photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- Chameleon photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Hop photo by Radomianin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common St. Johnswort photo by Bff, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Cardinalflower photo by sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Wild Bergamot photo by Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Sacred Lotus photo by Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Peruvian Groundcherry photo by Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- American Pokeweed photo by Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Narrowleaf Plantain photo by Sven Damerow, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Indian Strawberry photo by Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Selfheal photo by JackyM59, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Carolina Horsenettle photo by Cody Hough, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Canada Goldenrod photo by George Chernilevsky, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Comfrey photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Red Clover photo by Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- White Clover photo by MurielBendel, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Stinging Nettle photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Common Mullein photo by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Adam's Needle photo by Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How this page was made
- Written with AI assistance from the sources listed on this page. AI is never the source of a fact.