Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77037
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 winters cold enough to satisfy chilling requirements for many deciduous fruits but warm enough to support heat-loving species year-round. The last spring frost (February 13) and first fall frost (December 9) define a 300-day growing season, one of the longest in the country. The dominant constraint here is not cold but rather heat and humidity. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, sometimes 100°F or higher, and the Gulf-fed humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal disease. Figs, pomegranates, Asian persimmons, and jujubes thrive where other zone 9b regions struggle with cold. Tomatoes, peppers, and goji berries handle the heat better than northern varieties. The early February frost date allows for very early spring planting (mid-February onwards), but late cold snaps do occur occasionally and can damage sensitive new growth. The long season is an asset, but heat and disease pressure, not frost, are the primary factors shaping crop selection and management decisions.
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
Powdery mildew and other fungal diseases flourish in Houston's humidity, particularly on grapes, squash, and beans during warm-wet periods. Heat stress can cause blossom-end rot on tomatoes and peppers, fruit drop on figs and pomegranates, and sunscald on exposed fruit during the brutal June through September window. Although February 13 is the average last frost, late cold snaps can occur into March, especially in years with cold-air outbreaks from the north. Cotton root rot (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora), a soil-borne fungus specific to Texas and the Southwest, can devastate a wide range of crops planted in infested soil; this is not a universal threat but affects many Houston-area gardens. The long season creates extended pest pressure from insects that can produce multiple generations without winter dormancy.
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
Start tomatoes and peppers from transplants in late January or early February, allowing them to establish before brutal heat peaks in June and July. Heat-loving varieties like cherry tomatoes, okra, and sweet potatoes thrive where main-season crops flag. Mulch heavily (3 to 4 inches) and irrigate consistently during June through September; even drought-tolerant figs benefit from steady water when temperatures soar. For cool-season crops (lettuce, brassicas, spinach), aim for a late-summer planting (August through September) so they mature as temperatures drop toward November and December, extending the harvest window past the December 9 frost into early winter. Shade cloth (30 to 50 percent) can protect sensitive crops and extend productivity during the hottest weeks.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the easiest fruits to grow in Houston?
Figs, pomegranates, and Asian persimmons are natural fits; all tolerate heat, humidity, and Houston soils much better than cold-climate fruits. Jujubes are nearly bulletproof and require minimal maintenance once established. All four set fruit reliably without the fungal disease pressure that affects apples and pears in this climate.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Start seeds indoors in December or buy transplants in late January, aiming to set plants outdoors by early to mid-February, right around the last average frost date (February 13). This gives them time to establish before heat peaks in June. A second, lighter planting in late summer can produce fall fruit as temperatures cool.
- What's the biggest weather threat for Houston gardens?
Heat and humidity are far greater threats than cold. Fungal diseases spread rapidly in warm, moist conditions; powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust can devastate susceptible crops. Summer heat also stresses heat-sensitive crops and causes physiological disorders like blossom-end rot.
- How do I manage the intense summer heat?
Mulch to keep roots cool and retain moisture; irrigate deeply and consistently during June through September, especially for newly planted trees. Shade cloth (30 to 50 percent) can prevent sunscald on young fruit. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties: cherry tomatoes, okra, sweet potatoes, and warm-season herbs.
- Can I grow cool-season crops in Houston?
Yes, but timing is different. Plant lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage in late August or early September so they mature as temperatures drop toward fall and winter, extending the harvest until the December 9 frost date and sometimes beyond.
- Is the long growing season really an advantage?
Absolutely. The 300-day window from February 13 to December 9 allows early spring planting and extends fall production. Warm winters mean some crops grown as annuals elsewhere can overwinter as perennials or semi-perennials here.
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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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