🌿 PlantWise
Plant Guide

Best Plants for Omaha, Nebraska

📍 Omaha, NE 🌡️ USDA Zone 5b 🌱 320+ compatible plants

Gardening in Omaha

Omaha falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the −20°F to −10°F range. The 320+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Omaha

Pin Oak
Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
Striking red leaves in fall make this Pin Oak a seasonal showstopper from spring through autumn. Its sturdy, fast-growing nature and adaptability to USDA zones 4-8 make it low maintenance and urban tolerant.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
Show-stopping blooms in shades of pink, white, purple, and red brighten the garden from June through September. This low-maintenance shrub attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with full sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Hyacinth
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Vibrant clusters of fragrant blue, pink, or white blooms burst in early spring, brightening any garden space with their classic charm. Thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Spiderwort
Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Vibrant blue-purple blooms brighten late spring to early summer, creating a stunning, naturalized look. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Endless Summer Hydrangea
Endless Summer Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'
Vibrant pink and white blooms grace this shrub from June to September, adding long-lasting color to your garden. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, it thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with full sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Foxglove
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Tall spikes of tubular purple-pink blooms light up spring and early summer with striking elegance. Deer resistant and a magnet for bees, thriving in USDA zones 4-10.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Linden Tree
Linden Tree
Tilia spp.
Fragrant yellow and white blooms from June to September make this tree a stunning summer highlight. Attracting pollinators and thriving in zones 4-9, it’s low maintenance and dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Apache Plume
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
Delicate white blooms give way to feathery pink plumes that add airy texture from late spring through fall. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 5–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Daylily
Daylily
Hemerocallis fulva
Vibrant orange, yellow, red, and pink blooms light up your garden from June to August, adding cheerful summer color. Hardy in zones 3-9, this low-maintenance perennial thrives in sun to part shade and resists deer damage.
Zone 3–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Lilac
Lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Fragrant clusters of lavender-purple blooms burst in spring, filling the air with sweet, nostalgic scents. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, lilacs attract pollinators and thrive with minimal care.
Zone 3–7🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →
Blue Fescue
Blue Fescue
Festuca glauca
Silvery-blue, fine-textured foliage adds striking color and texture year-round, especially vibrant in spring and summer. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant grass thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
View care guide →
Blazing Star
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Vibrant purple blooms burst in late summer, creating stunning vertical spikes that brighten any garden. This drought-tolerant perennial attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 3-9.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
View care guide →

Get a Personalized Plant List for Omaha

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 5b.

Start the Plant Advisor →

Other Cities in Zone 5b

Milwaukee, WI Colorado Springs, CO Aurora, CO

Browse All 320+ Plants for Zone 5b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 5 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.