Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77010
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 gardeners enjoy one of the longest growing seasons in the United States, with frost risk confined to a narrow window from January 30 through December 28. This 330-day season allows multiple planting cycles for warm-season crops and makes many subtropical species viable year-round. However, the defining constraint is not frost but heat and humidity. Summer temperatures consistently exceed 95°F, with extended periods above 100°F from July through September. High humidity during this time creates favorable conditions for powdery mildew, black spot, rust, and other fungal diseases that challenge gardeners in most of the country. Yet this same warmth and moisture pattern enables crops rarely grown further north: figs thrive in Houston's climate without the coddling they need elsewhere, Asian persimmons fruit reliably, and pomegranates and jujubes flourish. The paradox of Houston gardening is that the season is almost unlimited by frost. What actually reshapes success is the growing environment itself: heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms create conditions unlike other zones.
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
Summer fungal diseases are the leading challenge. Powdery mildew appears on roses, grapes, squash, and melons throughout July and August. Black spot and rust attack roses and some fruit trees. The afternoon thunderstorms that cool the air also create leaf-wet periods that fungi exploit. Low-chill crops that require only 100 to 300 chill hours can be risky: early warm spells in January or February sometimes trigger buds to break before the last frost on January 30, leaving new growth vulnerable. A late cold snap mid-February can then kill the emerging leaves and buds. Finally, some gardeners struggle with summer heat stress on crops that fruit during spring or early summer. Tomatoes, peppers, and squash often drop flowers during the hottest weeks of July, reducing yield even in well-watered gardens.
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
Plant tomatoes and peppers in January or early February to mature before July heat stress triggers flower drop. Plan a second fall crop for late August, seeding transplants indoors in July to transplant after summer heat breaks. This two-crop strategy captures spring and fall yields while avoiding the heat penalty of summer fruit set.
Choose powdery mildew-resistant varieties for roses, grapes, zucchini, and melons, since Houston's humid summers make fungal diseases nearly unavoidable. Thin plants to improve air circulation, and water at the soil line to keep foliage dry during the afternoon thunderstorms that favor fungal spores.
The January 30 last frost date is generally reliable, but early warm spells can trick low-chill fruit trees into breaking bud prematurely, exposing tender growth to a late February frost. Delay planting borderline-hardy perennials until mid-March to reduce this risk.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops for a Houston home garden?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes excel in the heat and humidity. Among vegetables, tomatoes and peppers are the obvious choice for spring and fall; consider heat-tolerant varieties like 'Phoenix', 'Surefire', or 'Heatwave' for summer resilience. Okra also thrives in Houston's hottest months.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant spring tomatoes in January or February to mature before July heat stress triggers flower drop. Plan a second fall crop by seeding indoors in July to transplant after summer heat breaks. This two-crop strategy maximizes yield despite the summer heat.
- What causes powdery mildew outbreaks in summer?
Houston's humidity and afternoon thunderstorms create the leaf-wet conditions that powdery mildew spores require to germinate. Grow mildew-resistant varieties, thin plants for air circulation, and water at soil level to keep foliage dry. Sulfur dust or horticultural oil applied every 7 to 10 days during humid periods helps prevent infections.
- Is Houston really frost-free after January 30?
The last spring frost date is January 30, so frost is rare after that date. However, early warm spells can trigger buds on low-chill fruit trees to break prematurely, exposing them to a late cold snap in February. Delay planting tender perennials until mid-March to reduce risk.
- Can I grow fruit trees that need significant chill hours?
Most apples, pears, and stone fruits need 600+ chill hours, well above Houston's 50 to 100. Instead, choose Asian pears, Asian persimmons, peaches, and plums bred for low-chill zones (under 300 hours). 'Tropic Sweet' and 'Babcock' peaches are reliable Houston performers.
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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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