Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77031
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 02/02 through 12/11 (~318 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 02/02
- First fall frost
- 12/11
- Growing season
- 318 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 has an exceptionally long growing season (318 days) and mild winters where minimum temperatures rarely drop below 25–30°F. This zone 9b location can support subtropical and warm-temperate crops that struggle much farther north. The real constraint isn't cold but the timing of the February 2nd last spring frost, which is later than many expect. This narrow window between frost and the intense heat of May creates a compressed planting season for spring crops. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive in the heat and humidity, though summer rainfall is inconsistent. Tomatoes and peppers are reliable if planted early enough to mature before midsummer heat stress sets in. The December 11th first frost date means the fall season is genuinely useful for cool-season crops, a luxury much of zone 9b doesn't enjoy. Humidity and summer heat are the real limiting factors, not winter cold.
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
Houston gardeners face three persistent challenges: late spring frost destroying early plantings despite the mild zone, intense summer heat and humidity that stress crops from June through September, and soils that tend acidic and heavy with clay. The February 2nd frost date catches optimistic early plantings; tomatoes set out in late January often succumb to cold. Summer heat exceeds 95°F from June through September, damaging fruit set in peppers and declining vigor in established trees if irrigation is insufficient. The combination of heat and humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and anthracnose on figs and other fruit trees. Native Houston soils lack drainage and organic matter. Late fall (October through November) and early spring (January) are the reliable planting windows; midsummer is for maintenance, not establishment.
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, not March. A February 2nd last frost date means frost can occur after typical spring planting. Direct seed or transplant in early January so plants establish roots before heat stress peaks in June; heat-tolerant varieties like 'Heatwave' tomatoes and 'Jalapeño' peppers outperform cool-season varieties tried later. Mulch heavily and water deeply. The 318-day growing season means continuous production if irrigation is managed; a 3–4 inch mulch layer conserves moisture during dry spells and stabilizes soil temperature. Drip irrigation pays for itself in water savings and reduces fungal disease pressure. Lean into fall succession planting. With a December 11th first frost, October through November is prime time for establishing cool-season crops, brassicas, and greens. This second spring is often more reliable than the January-to-April scramble.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit trees for Houston gardens?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries all thrive in zone 9b heat and humidity. These tolerate the intense summer conditions better than many deciduous fruits. Figs and persimmons are particularly reliable, producing without the aggressive pest management other tree fruits require.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomatoes in early January or early February, well before the February 2nd last spring frost, so plants establish roots before June heat arrives. Transplants set out in March often fail to produce before heat stress shuts down flowering.
- What's the biggest weather risk for Houston gardeners?
The late spring frost (February 2nd) catches early plantings, but summer heat stress from June through September is the more consistent threat. High temperatures and humidity reduce fruit set in peppers, stress established trees, and create ideal conditions for fungal diseases.
- Can I grow vegetables year-round in Houston?
Yes, but in two distinct seasons: January through April for heat-sensitive crops and September through November for cool-season crops. Midsummer is too hot for most vegetables except heat-lovers like okra. Mulching and consistent irrigation are essential in both seasons.
- Why do my figs and persimmons get fungal diseases despite the warm zone?
The humid Texas climate and summer heat create ideal conditions for powdery mildew and anthracnose. Site trees in full sun with good air circulation, avoid mulching directly against trunks, and prune to open the canopy. Many varieties tolerate fungal pressure if given these basics.
- What should I plant in October and November?
October through November is ideal for cool-season crops, brassicas, leafy greens, root crops, and herbs. The December 11th first frost gives 4–6 weeks of growth before cold arrives. These crops often outperform spring plantings because they mature in cooler, more stable conditions.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012977. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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