Your hardiness zone determines which bonsai species can survive outdoors year-round. Find your zone and see which trees thrive in your climate.
-40°F to -30°F
4 compatible species-30°F to -20°F
10 compatible species-20°F to -10°F
25 compatible species-10°F to 0°F
29 compatible species0°F to 10°F
35 compatible species10°F to 20°F
34 compatible species20°F to 30°F
31 compatible species30°F to 40°F
26 compatible species40°F to 50°F
20 compatible speciesOnce you know your zone
Your zone tells you what survives a normal winter in the ground — a bonsai in a shallow pot has no such insulation, so the roots see colder temperatures than the tree ever would in the landscape. Read winter care before the first hard freeze. If you're in zone 6 or colder and still choosing a tree, start with the best bonsai for cold climates — or browse every outdoor bonsai species and check its zone range against yours.
