Best Plants For DeKalb, IL

plants by zone map for DeKalb, IL

A variety of plants are suitable for DeKalb's climate. According to our data, the growing zone for the area is 5b, with average annual lows of -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Scroll down for a full list of the best plants for DeKalb, IL based on our analysis of the region's climate.

If growing food is your aim, vegetables hardy to DeKalb include beets, broccoli and brussels sprouts, while fruits like apples, apricots and blackberries will flourish.

For flower beds, go with choices like asters, black-eyed susans (rudbeckia) and bleeding heart (dicentra spectabilis) for the best results.

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.
Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Fun and decorative garden sign to add personality to your space.

Trees for DeKalb

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
American Elm (Ulmus Americana)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
White Birch (Betula papyrifera)
White Oak (Quercus alba)
White Pine (Pinus strobus)

Fruits for DeKalb

Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Concord grapes
Currants
Elderberries
Figs
Gooseberries
Hardy kiwi
Honeyberries
Mulberries.
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Quince
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.
Small Greenhouse Kit

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Flowers for DeKalb

Asters
Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis)
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Forsythia
Hardy Geraniums
Hostas
Hydrangeas
Iris
Lilacs (Syringa)
Marigolds (Tagetes)
Peonies (Paeonia)
Petunias
Rhododendrons
Roses (Rosa)
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum)
Sunflowers (Helianthus)
Tulips (Tulipa)
Zinnias

Vegetables for DeKalb

Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce
Onions
Peas
Pumpkins
Radishes
Spinach
Squash
Swiss Chard
Tomatoes
Turnips
Zucchini

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about plants for your area? Check out our FAQ below for quick answers to common questions about what plants grow best in the DeKalb, IL climate.

Some of the best vegetables for DeKalb, IL include beets, broccoli and brussels sprouts. Other recommended vegetables include Cabbage, Carrots and Cauliflower based on DeKalb's USDA hardiness zone.

Map of IL Hardiness Zones

plants by zone map for DeKalb, ILChoose plants with your zone in mind

Choosing plants based on the growing zone for DeKalb ensures that your plants will be able to survive the lowest annual temperatures in your area of Illinois.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.
Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.
Metal Seed Storage Box

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.
Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.
Raised Garden Bed Kit

Raised Garden Bed Kit

Easy-to-assemble raised garden bed for better soil control and drainage.

Best Time to Plant in DeKalb

Check the growing calendar for DeKalb at the Old Farmer's Almanac to see the best planting times for the region.

Need Gardening Gear?

The Plant Guide Online has selected some of our favorite products to help you with your next growing project. From seed starting trays and fertilizers to decor and lifestyle items, we think you'll love what we've selected.

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.
Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.
Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Complete garden tool set with heavy-duty stainless steel tools for all your gardening needs.
Raised Garden Planter

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.
Self Watering Plant Pots

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.
@@town.primaryImage.altRaised vegetable bed rows in zone 8a

DeKalb's Temperature

USDA Growing Zone: 5b

Zip Codes: 60115

Longitude: -88.7481

Latitude: 41.9314

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -15 to -10

The USDA growing zone is 5b in DeKalb, IL. This is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive, helping to decide what plants would be suitable for the region's climate. According to our records, the average annual extreme minimum temperature in DeKalb is -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you would like to learn more, visit our page on the growing zone for DeKalb, IL.

Map of DeKalb

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.
Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Fun and decorative garden sign to add personality to your space.
Reusable Grow Bags

Reusable Grow Bags

Breathable fabric grow bags that promote healthy root growth for your vegetables and fruits.
Raised Garden Planter

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.
Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round with this indoor hydroponic garden system.

All Towns In IL

Tools You'll Love

The Plant Guide Online has selected some of our favorite products to help you with your next growing project. From seed starting trays and fertilizers to decor and lifestyle items, we think you'll love what we've selected.

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.
Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.
Metal Arbor Trellis

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.
Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.
Self Watering Plant Pots

Self Watering Plant Pots

Innovative pots that maintain optimal moisture levels.

Plants For Other States

Looking for the best plants in a different area of the United States? Click on a button below to find plants that are ideal for that state's temperatures.

Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming
Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.
Reusable Grow Bags

Reusable Grow Bags

Breathable fabric grow bags that promote healthy root growth for your vegetables and fruits.
Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round with this indoor hydroponic garden system.
Seed Starting Trays

Seed Starting Trays

Perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden.
Brass Watering Can

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

To see our latest gardening and homesteading projects, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.