Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77011
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's zone 9b climate (winter minimum 25-30°F) offers one of the longest growing windows in the continental US: last spring frost January 30, first fall frost December 28, and 330 days between. Yet the dominant constraint is not cold but humidity and summer heat. The combination enables subtropical fruits to flourish (figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes are reliable producers), while humidity and mild winters accelerate disease and pest pressure that can exceed challenges in colder zones. For vegetables, the calendar inverts from northern climates. Tomatoes and peppers, standard summer crops elsewhere, often slow or fail during peak Houston heat (July-August). Spring (late January through May) and fall (August through November) are the true vegetable production seasons. Gardeners who succeed locally treat summer as a season for heat-loving crops, dormancy, and maintenance rather than expansion. The long season enables continuous succession planting and crop rotation throughout the year.
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
Three issues consistently challenge Houston gardeners. (1) Disease pressure from humidity: fungal diseases like powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot thrive in the warm, moist climate, particularly during spring and fall when temperatures and humidity both favor infection. Proper spacing, pruning for air circulation, and fungicide rotation are essential. (2) Extreme summer heat (95-100°F+) stalls vegetable growth and can cause blossom-end rot in tomatoes, sunscald in peppers, and bolting in leafy greens. Summer is not the season for heat-sensitive crops; rest the garden or focus on heat-lovers. (3) The late January 30 spring frost can damage tender new growth on trees and shrubs after warm spells in January; wait until early February to plant frost-sensitive perennials.
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, use the spring and fall windows strategically. Plant tomatoes and peppers in early February (after the January 30 frost risk) for spring harvest, and again in mid-July for fall harvest. This avoids peak summer heat. Second, invest in disease management. Adequate spacing, morning watering (not evening), and removal of diseased foliage reduce fungal pressure year-round. Rotate fungicide classes to prevent resistance. Third, choose subtropical crop varieties over temperate ones where possible. Asian persimmons, figs, pomegranates, and jujubes tolerate heat and humidity far better than traditional apples or stone fruits, and the long season allows them to fully mature before the late December frost.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best in Houston?
Subtropical fruits thrive: figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries tolerate the heat, humidity, and mild winters better than temperate alternatives. Tomatoes and peppers succeed in spring (February through May) and fall (August through October). For year-round greenery, consider heat- and humidity-tolerant herbs like rosemary, basil (replanted), and chives.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant in early February (after the January 30 spring frost date) for spring harvest, and again in mid-July for fall harvest, avoiding peak summer heat when growth stalls and fruit quality drops. Direct seed in July so plants establish before heat peaks.
- What's the biggest weather risk in zone 9b Houston?
Not cold, but humidity-driven disease and summer heat stress. Fungal diseases flourish year-round; the late January frost can catch tender new growth after warm spells. Sustained 95-100°F+ temperatures in July-August are the real challenge for cool-season and heat-sensitive crops.
- Do I need frost protection in Houston?
Rarely. Winter lows (25-30°F) are mild enough for most tender perennials. However, the late January 30 frost can surprise if warm spells trigger early bud break. Frost cloth or row covers are useful for new plantings or tender transplants in late January and early February.
- Can I garden year-round in Houston?
Nearly. The 330-day growing season and mild winters support almost continuous cultivation. However, summer (July-August) is challenging for most vegetables and cool-season crops due to heat and humidity. Focus vegetable gardening on spring and fall; summer is for heat-lovers, deep watering, and pest management.
- How do I manage humidity and disease?
Spacing, pruning for air circulation, morning watering (avoid wetting foliage in evening), and removal of diseased foliage reduce fungal pressure. Rotate fungicide classes (sulfur, neem, copper, synthetic fungicides) to prevent resistance. In very humid zones within Houston, raised beds and containers improve drainage.
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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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