Best Plants For Columbia, SC

A variety of plants are suitable for Columbia's climate. According to our data, the growing zone for the area is 8b, with average annual lows of 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Scroll down for a full list of the best plants for Columbia, SC based on our analysis of the region's climate.

If growing food is your aim, vegetables hardy to Columbia include beets, bell peppers and broccoli, while fruits like apple, apricot and blackberry will flourish.

For flower beds, go with choices like azalea, begonia and camellia for the best results.

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Large Greenhouse Kit

Spacious greenhouse for extending your growing season.

Trees for Columbia

American Holly

American Sycamore

Bald Cypress

Black Walnut

Catalpa Tree

Eastern Redbud

European Beech

Japanese Maple

Pear Tree

River Birch

Saucer Magnolia

Southern Live Oak

Southern Red Oak

Sugar Maple

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Tulip Poplar

White Ash

Witch Hazel

Yoshino Cherry

Yulan Magnolia

Fruits for Columbia

Apple

Apricot

Blackberry

Blueberry

Cherry

Fig

Grape

Kiwi

Lemon

Lime

Mulberry

Olive

Orange

Peach

Pear

Persimmon

Plum

Pomegranate

Raspberry

Strawberries

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Flowers for Columbia

Azalea

Begonia

Camellia

Chrysanthemums

Clematis

Coneflower

Cosmos

Dahlia

Daphne

Daylily

Gardenia

Geranium

Hydrangea

Iris

Lilac

Marigold

Peony

Roses

Viburnum

Wisteria

Vegetables for Columbia

Beets

Bell Peppers

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Collard Greens

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Garlic

Green Beans

Kale

Lettuce

Okra

Onions

Radish

Spinach

Sweet Potatoes

Swiss Chard

Tomatoes

Zucchini

View this profile on Instagram
The Plant Guide Online (@plantguideonline) • Instagram photos and videos

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 Columbia, SC climate.

Some of the best vegetables for Columbia, SC include beets, bell peppers and broccoli. Other recommended vegetables include Cabbage, Carrots and Collard Greens based on Columbia's USDA hardiness zone.

Map of SC Hardiness Zones

Choose plants with your zone in mind

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

Seed Starting Trays

Perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden.

Raised Garden Bed Kit

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

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.

Best Time to Plant in Columbia

Check the growing calendar for Columbia 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.

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

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

Raised vegetable bed rows in zone 8a

Columbia's Temperature

USDA Growing Zone: 8b

Zip Codes: 29203, 29207, 29205, 29208, 29209, 29225, 29212, 29210, 29201, 29206, 29204, 29202, 29214, 29215, 29216, 29217, 29218, 29220, 29224, 29226, 29240, 29250

Longitude: -80.9036

Latitude: 34.0378

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): 15 to 20

The USDA growing zone is 8b in Columbia, SC. 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 Columbia is 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If you would like to learn more, visit our page on the growing zone for Columbia, SC.

Map of Columbia

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

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

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.

All Towns In SC

Abbeville Abney Crossroads Adams Run Aiken Alcolu Allendale Anderson Andrews Antreville Arcadia Arcadia Lakes Arial Arkwright Arthurtown Ashwood Atlantic Beach Awendaw Aynor Bamberg Barnwell Batesburg-Leesville Baxter Village Beaufort Beech Island Belton Belvedere Ben Avon Bennettsville Berea Bethune Bishopville Blacksburg Blackville Blenheim Bluffton Blythewood Boiling Springs Bonneau Bonneau Beach Bowman Boykin Bradley Branchville Briarcliffe Acres Brookdale Browntown Brunson Bucksport Buffalo Buford Burnettown Burton Caesars Head Calhoun Falls Camden Cameron Camp Croft Campobello Cane Savannah Capitol View Carlisle Carolina Forest Cash Catawba Cateechee Cayce Centenary Centerville Central Central Pacolet Chapin Charleston Cheraw Cherokee Falls Cherryvale Chesnee Chester Chesterfield Chickasaw Point City View Clarks Hill Clearwater Clemson Clemson University Clifton Clinton Clio Clover Cokesbury Columbia Conestee Converse Conway Coosawhatchie Cope Cordova Coronaca Cottageville Coward Cowpens Cross Anchor Cross Hill Dacusville Dale Dalzell Danwood Darlington Daufuskie Island Daviston DeBordieu Colony Denmark Dentsville Dillon Donalds Dovesville Drayton Due West Dunbar Duncan Dunean Easley East Camden East Gaffney East Sumter Eastover Edgefield Edisto Edisto Beach Edmund Ehrhardt Elgin Elko Elliott Elloree Enoree Estill Eureka Mill Eutawville Fair Play Fairfax Fairforest Fairview Crossroads Fingerville Finklea Five Forks Florence Floydale Folly Beach Forest Acres Forestbrook Foreston Fort Lawn Fort Mill Fountain Inn Fripp Island Furman Gadsden Gaffney Gantt Garden City Gaston Gayle Mill Georgetown Gifford Gilbert Gillisonville Glendale Glenn Springs Gloverville Golden Grove Goose Creek Govan Gramling Graniteville Gray Court Great Falls Greeleyville Green Sea Greenville Greenwood Greer Grover Hamer Hampton Hanahan Harbor Island Hardeeville Harleyville Hartsville Heath Springs Helena Hemingway Hickory Grove Hilda Hilltop Hilton Head Island Hodges Holly Hill Hollywood Homeland Park Homewood Honea Path Hopkins India Hook Inman Inman Mills Irmo Irwin Islandton Isle of Palms Iva Jackson Jacksonboro James Island Jamestown Jefferson Jenkinsville Joanna Johnsonville Johnston Jonesville Judson Keowee Key Kershaw Ketchuptown Kiawah Island Kingstree Kline La France Ladson Lake City Lake Murray of Richland Lake Secession Lake View Lake Wylie Lakewood Lamar Lancaster Landrum Lane Langley Latta Laurel Bay Laurens Lesslie Lexington Liberty Lincolnville Litchfield Beach Little Mountain Little River Little Rock Live Oak Livingston Lobeco Lockhart Lodge Longcreek Loris Lowndesville Lowrys Lugoff Luray Lydia Lyman Lynchburg Manning Manville Marion Mauldin Mayesville Mayo McBee McClellanville McColl McConnells McCormick Meggett Modoc Monarch Mill Moncks Corner Monetta Mount Carmel Mount Croghan Mount Pleasant Mountville Mulberry Mullins Murphys Estates Murrells Inlet Myrtle Beach Neeses New Ellenton Newberry Newport Newry Newtown Nichols Ninety Six Norris North North Augusta North Charleston North Hartsville North Myrtle Beach North Santee Northlake Norway Oak Grove Oakland Olanta Olar Olympia Orangeburg Oswego Pacolet Pageland Pamplico Parker Parksville Patrick Pauline Pawleys Island Paxville Peak Pelion Pelzer Pendleton Perry Pickens Piedmont Pimlico Pine Ridge Pinewood Pinopolis Plum Branch Pomaria Port Royal Powdersville Princeton Privateer Promised Land Prosperity Quinby Rains Ravenel Red Bank Red Hill Reevesville Reidville Rembert Richburg Ridge Spring Ridgeland Ridgeville Ridgeway Riverview Rock Hill Rockville Roebuck Rowesville Ruby Russellville Saint Charles Salem Salley Saluda Sandy Springs Sangaree Sans Souci Santee Saxon Scotia Scranton Seabrook Seabrook Island Sellers Seneca Seven Oaks Sharon Sheldon Shell Point Shiloh Silverstreet Simpsonville Six Mile Slater-Marietta Smoaks Smyrna Snelling Socastee Society Hill South Congaree South Sumter South Union Southern Shops Spartanburg Springdale Springfield St. Andrews St. George St. Matthews St. Stephen Starr Startex Stateburg Stuckey Sullivan's Island Summerton Summerville Summit Sumter Surfside Beach Swansea Sycamore Tamassee Tatum Taylors Tega Cay The Cliffs Valley Tigerville Timmonsville Tradesville Travelers Rest Trenton Troy Turbeville Ulmer Union Unity Utica Valley Falls Van Wyck Vance Varnville Wade Hampton Wagener Walhalla Wallace Walterboro Ward Ware Place Ware Shoals Warrenville Waterloo Watts Mills Wedgefield Welcome Wellford West Columbia West Pelzer West Union Westminster White Knoll Whitmire Whitney Wilkinson Heights Williams Williamston Willington Williston Windsor Winnsboro Winnsboro Mills Wisacky Woodfield Woodford Woodruff Wyboo Yemassee York Zion

Tools You'll Love

Reusable Grow Bags

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

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Raised Garden Bed Kit

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

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.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

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

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

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

Reusable Grow Bags

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

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

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