Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77007
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/30 through 12/28 (~330 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/30
- First fall frost
- 12/28
- Growing season
- 330 days
- Compatible crops
- 37
- Growing region
- Great Plains
Right now in Houston
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Houston
Houston sits at the boundary where subtropical and warm-temperate climates overlap. The 330-day growing season is one of the longest in North America, with last spring frost around January 30 and first fall frost not until late December. Winter lows reach 25-30°F on average, enough to kill tender growth but not severe enough to harm established perennials in zone 9b. The genuine constraint is not cold but heat and humidity. Summers consistently exceed 90°F with 70-80% humidity, creating ideal conditions for fungal diseases and heat stress on some crops. Subtropical and tropical fruits thrive here, figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries grow reliably, sometimes achieving earlier harvest than in cooler zones. Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and sweet potatoes reach peak productivity. The extended season permits succession planting: cool-season crops in fall and spring, warm-season crops through summer and into early fall.
Regional context · Great Plains
What the Great Plains brings to Houston
Continental, windy, with severe heat and cold extremes. Cold-hardy fruit and small grains north; long warm season for melons, peppers, and pecans south.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 9b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Heat stress in summer
- ▸ Insufficient chill for most apples
- ▸ Salt spray near coasts
What defeats new gardeners in Houston
Fire blight can be severe in Houston. Warm spells in late winter trigger early bloom on susceptible pomes, and if temperatures dip back below freezing or frost returns in February, the flowers are damaged but the tree's vascular system is already active, creating entry points for the bacterium. Fungal diseases thrive in the humidity: powdery mildew affects stone fruits and grapes, and bacterial leaf scorch pressure is high on susceptible plants. Summer heat often arrives suddenly in May, and some temperate varieties will sunscald or drop fruit under sustained 95°F+ heat. Occasional unexpected freezes in February can kill tender new growth, even though the statistical last frost date is January 30.
Crops that grow in Houston
37 crops from our catalog match zone 9b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
11 crops
zone 9b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 9b Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 9b Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 9b Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
zones 6a–9b
zone 9b Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 9b Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
Berries
2 crops
Vegetables
18 crops
zone 9b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 9b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 9b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Collards
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 4a–9b
zone 9b Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
Herbs
6 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Houston
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Houston's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Houston, TX (zone 9b)
Quiet week in Houston, TX (zone 9b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
187 bars · 37 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Top diseases for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV)
Virus vectored by thrips, particularly western flower thrips. Wide host range and growing global distribution. No cure once infected.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 9b.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Lettuce + Tomato
Lettuce planted at tomato's base benefits from afternoon shade as the tomato grows, extending the lettuce harvest into early summer. Different root depths avoid competition.
- Cabbage + Onion
Onion smell confuses cabbage moth. Both prefer similar moisture and fertility. The onion-cabbage interplanting is a Northern European tradition.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Houston
First, don't be lulled by warm spells in January and February. A 70°F day in mid-February often triggers leafing on fruit trees, but Houston frost dates remain a real risk through late February. Delay pruning and heavy fertilization until late February or early March to avoid pushing new growth into the frost window. Second, exploit the 330-day season through succession planting. Cool-season crops thrive in October through February, vacating beds for warm-season crops in spring. Tomatoes and peppers can be planted as early as late February for a spring harvest, then again in July for fall harvest, achieving two productive cycles. Third, select varieties with humidity tolerance and late-season vigor. Asian persimmons and pomegranates handle humidity better than some European pear varieties; pepper varieties bred for southern heat often outperform northern selections.
Frequently asked questions
- What fruit trees are most reliable in Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive in zone 9b's subtropical conditions. These handle heat and humidity well and produce reliably without intensive pest management. Apples and pears are possible but require fire-blight-resistant varieties and careful frost timing.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Transplants can go in the ground by late February for a spring harvest, maturing before peak summer heat slows fruit set. A second planting in July produces a fall crop, reaching maturity in September-October when temperatures moderate. The 330-day season allows two full cycles.
- What's the biggest weather risk in Houston?
Unexpected late freezes in February that catch tender new growth. While the January 30 frost date is reliable, occasional freezes extend into late February. Avoid heavy pruning or fertilization before March to prevent early leafing.
- How do I manage humidity-related disease?
Space plants widely for air circulation, water at soil level rather than overhead, and prune to open the canopy. Choose varieties with documented disease resistance. Dormant-season sulfur spray on stone fruits can reduce spring fungal pressure.
- Can I grow grapes in Houston?
Muscadine grapes handle humidity and heat much better than vinifera. Native southern cultivars resist powdery mildew and benefit from the long season, ripening fully by September-October.
- What vegetables grow best in Houston?
Tomatoes, peppers, okra, and sweet potatoes excel in summer. Cool-season crops like lettuce, kale, broccoli, and cabbage thrive October through February. Succession planting maximizes year-round production.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012918. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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