Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77042
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's zone 9b winter is mild and brief: the last spring frost arrives February 2, the first fall frost not until December 11. This 318-day growing season offers nearly 11 months of frost-free conditions, but cold is not the primary constraint here. Heat and humidity are. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, creating ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew, rust, and anthracnose. Crops that tolerate or prefer heat include figs, pomegranates, jujubes, Asian persimmons, and goji berries. These thrive in Houston and struggle in cooler zones. Cool-season vegetables, including leafy greens and brassicas, are confined to late fall through early spring. The rest of the year belongs to heat-loving crops, with strategic succession planting in late summer for a fall harvest before December arrives. One specific hazard exists: early-flowering varieties and crops that leaf out in late January can be caught by the final frost event in early February, requiring timing awareness even when winter protection is rarely needed.
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
The dominant challenge in Houston is fungal disease pressure from sustained heat and humidity. Powdery mildew, rust, anthracnose, and damping-off thrive in warm, moist conditions through summer and spring. Even disease-resistant varieties falter if spaced too closely or grown in poorly ventilated sites. A second hazard is the early-February frost window: crops that leaf out or flower in late January can be caught by the season's final frost. This is not a severe cold snap but rather a timing issue for early-budding plants. Summer drought can stress young plantings if irrigation lapses, though Houston's high humidity reduces evaporation compared to drier zones. Tomato heat stress and flower drop in July-August are common even in heat-tolerant varieties, making fall planting essential for a reliable late-season harvest.
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, time spring vegetable planting after February 2 (the last frost date) but watch for early crops planted in late January, which can be caught by the final frost event. Second, prioritize air circulation and spacing to combat fungal disease pressure. Crowded beds in humid conditions guarantee mildew and leaf spots. Wide spacing reduces leaf wetness and allows faster drying after rain or dew. Third, use Houston's long growing season strategically. Plant tomatoes and peppers in late February to early March for a spring harvest, then succession-plant in late June through July for a fall harvest before December 11. Cool-season crops (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce) go in late August through September, extending into winter.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best in Houston?
Heat-loving crops thrive: figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons are reliably productive. Tomatoes, peppers, and warm-season vegetables perform well. Leafy greens and brassicas thrive in fall and winter but wilt in summer heat.
- When do I start tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomato transplants in late February to early March, aiming to set fruit before peak summer heat. For a fall harvest, plant again in late June through July. This avoids the severe heat stress and flower drop of midsummer.
- What's the biggest weather risk in Houston?
Fungal disease pressure from heat and humidity is the dominant threat. Sustained warm, wet conditions favor mildew, rust, and leaf spots. Disease-resistant varieties and good spacing help, but the humid climate itself is the fundamental challenge.
- Can I grow fruit trees in Houston?
Yes. Zone 9b winters rarely drop below 25°F, making figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons reliable choices with minimal winter protection. The 318-day growing season gives you nearly 11 months to establish and mature trees.
- Is irrigation necessary?
Despite high humidity, summer droughts do occur. Young plantings need consistent water during dry spells to prevent flowering stress in crops like tomato. Established plants with deep roots fare better, but regular watering during droughts improves yields.
- What shouldn't I plant in summer?
Avoid cool-season crops (broccoli, cabbage, spinach, lettuce) in peak summer. Heat-sensitive crop varieties can fail to set fruit. Instead, plant okra, warm-season peppers, and succession-plant cool crops in late August for fall harvest.
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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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