Best Plants For Ottawa, IL

plants by zone map for Ottawa, IL

A variety of plants are suitable for Ottawa'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 Ottawa, IL based on our analysis of the region's climate.

If growing food is your aim, vegetables hardy to Ottawa 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.

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.
Wooden Chicken Coop

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Trees for Ottawa

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 Ottawa

Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Concord grapes
Currants
Elderberries
Figs
Gooseberries
Hardy kiwi
Honeyberries
Mulberries.
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Quince
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.
Brass Watering Can

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.

Flowers for Ottawa

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 Ottawa

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 Ottawa, IL climate.

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

Map of IL Hardiness Zones

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

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

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Hoeing Ain't Easy Garden Sign

Fun and decorative garden sign to add personality to your space.
Brass Watering Can

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.
Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.
Large Greenhouse Kit

Large Greenhouse Kit

Spacious greenhouse for extending your growing season.
Wooden Chicken Coop

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Best Time to Plant in Ottawa

Check the growing calendar for Ottawa 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.

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

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

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.
Small Greenhouse Kit

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.
Metal Arbor Trellis

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.
Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.

Ottawa's Temperature

USDA Growing Zone: 5b

Zip Codes: 61350

Longitude: -88.8261

Latitude: 41.3555

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

The USDA growing zone is 5b in Ottawa, 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 Ottawa is -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you would like to learn more, visit our page on the growing zone for Ottawa, IL.

Map of Ottawa

Cluck Around Sign

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.
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.
Worm Composting Kit

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.
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.

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.

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.
Reusable Grow Bags

Reusable Grow Bags

Breathable fabric grow bags that promote healthy root growth for your vegetables and fruits.
Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.
Metal Seed Storage Box

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

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
Cluck Around Sign

Cluck Around Sign

Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.
Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Versatile Japanese-style gardening knife for weeding and planting.
Raised Garden Bed Kit

Raised Garden Bed Kit

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

Reusable Grow Bags

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

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.