Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77016
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 02/13 through 12/09 (~300 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 02/13
- First fall frost
- 12/09
- Growing season
- 300 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 in zone 9b with a 300-day growing season spanning from the last spring frost (February 13) to the first fall frost (December 9). The dominant constraint is not cold but heat and humidity. Winter lows rarely dip below 25-30°F, so frost-tender crops like figs, pomegranates, and jujubes thrive where they struggle elsewhere. The real challenge is the long, relentless summer; July and August regularly exceed 95°F with humidity above 70%. Well-adapted crops (Asian persimmons, goji berries, heat-loving tomato and pepper varieties) flourish, but traditional temperate fruits struggle. They fall short on chill hours (winter isn't cold enough long enough) and succumb to summer heat stress, which triggers diseases and pest outbreaks. Gardeners new to the area often overestimate frost risk and underestimate summer severity.
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 defeat most first-time gardeners in Houston. First, the late-spring freeze: February 13 is the average last frost date, but freezes can occur through March and kill early buds on figs and other tender crops. Second, clay soil and poor drainage. Houston's native soil is heavy clay that holds water poorly and compacts easily, creating anaerobic conditions and fungal issues. Third, summer heat stress. Even adapted crops like tomatoes and peppers slow flowering and fruit set once nighttime temperatures stay above 75°F, typically from mid-June onward. Fruit cracking in tomatoes, sunscald on peppers, and powdery mildew on figs all spike during humid heat waves.
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 heat-tolerant specialty crops first: figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons establish easily and require less pest and disease management than temperate fruits. Wait until late February (after the 13th) to plant tender annuals and frost-sensitive seedlings; late winter freezes can occur through March. For tomatoes and peppers, start seeds indoors in December or January so they're ready to transplant by mid-February, allowing them to set fruit before the sustained 95°F+ heat of June. Use 2-3 inches of mulch and 30-50% shade cloth in July and August to lower soil and air temperatures around fruit; this delays heat stress and reduces cracking. Finally, amend clay soil with 3-4 inches of compost before planting; it improves drainage and cuts fungal disease pressure.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops thrive in Houston?
Heat-tolerant specialty crops like figs, pomegranates, Asian persimmons, and jujubes are the best starting point. Goji berries also flourish. Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and okra thrive in the long, hot season. Cool-season crops (lettuce, broccoli, beets) work only in the three-month window between November and February.
- When should I start tomatoes in Houston?
Start seeds indoors in December or January so transplants are ready by mid-February, right after the last spring frost (February 13). This gives plants 4-5 months to set fruit before the sustained heat of June slows flowering. Transplants started too late often flower after peak heat and produce little.
- What's the biggest frost risk for Houston?
Late freezes in March, not February. While February 13 is the average last frost date, freezes can occur through mid-March and kill tender growth on figs, new shoots on tropical plants, and soft tissue. Monitor forecasts and protect sensitive plants with frost cloth if freeze warnings appear.
- Why do my figs and peppers get fungal disease?
Houston's humidity and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Improve air circulation by pruning, avoid wetting foliage during watering, and apply sulfur spray during humid seasons. Once temperatures exceed 85°F regularly, fungicides become less effective; focus instead on removing infected leaves.
- Can I grow apples in Houston?
Most apples need 600-1000 chill hours (nights below 45°F) to break dormancy. Houston averages far fewer. Ultra-low-chill varieties like Anna or Tropic Sweet can work if chosen carefully, but they often struggle in humidity and may produce only light crops. Asian persimmons and figs are far more reliable.
- What soil amendment helps most with Houston clay?
Compost. Mix 3-4 inches of finished compost into the top 12 inches of soil before planting. Compost improves drainage (clay naturally sheds water), adds organic matter to build soil structure, and supports beneficial microbes that suppress soil-borne fungal diseases.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012960. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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