What are plant hardiness zones?

Plant hardiness zones are defined geographic areas that reflect the climate conditions of those locations, particularly the minimum temperatures that plants can withstand. These zones are established based on long-term weather data, allowing gardeners and horticulturists to understand which plants are likely to thrive in their local environment.

By categorizing regions according to their climatic conditions, including temperature extremes and the length of the growing season, the hardiness zones provide guidance for plant selection. This system helps ensure that individuals choose plants suited to their local climate, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful growth and survival.

The other choices do not accurately represent the concept of plant hardiness zones. For instance, soil type is just one of many factors affecting plant growth but does not define a hardiness zone. Likewise, the notion that regions exist where all plants can survive is misleading, as even the hardiest plants have limits based on climate. Finally, "locations lacking environmental factors" does not align with the idea of hardiness zones, which are specifically designed to account for and highlight the significance of various environmental factors.