Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77045
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 gardening climate is defined by extremes: the longest frost-free season in zone 9b (330 days, with the last spring frost around January 30 and the first fall frost near December 28) creates an opportunity for nearly year-round growing. However, this advantage is constrained by brutal summer heat, high humidity, and the particular challenge of managing crops through two distinct growing seasons rather than one. Winter temperatures rarely dip below the mid-20s Fahrenheit, so freeze damage is secondary compared to the summer sun. Crops that thrive in Houston are those bred for heat and humidity tolerance: figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and peppers are reliable choices. Tomatoes and other warm-season crops that struggle in peak summer heat need strategic timing to succeed. The region's advantage is not the mild winter but the ability to plant, grow, and harvest across a much wider calendar than northern zones allow.
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
Summer heat and humidity create a bottleneck for many otherwise well-suited crops. Tomatoes often fail to set fruit in Houston's July and August because sustained temperatures above 90°F cause pollen sterility. Humidity levels sustain fungal diseases year-round: powdery mildew on many fruit trees and vines, early blight on tomatoes in spring and fall, and root rot in poorly-drained soil. The early spring frost date (January 30) can deceive gardeners into planting too early; February and even early March freezes are not uncommon. This requires different cold-protection strategies than zones where the last frost date marks the end of frost risk. Water management is critical: heavy rains in spring and fall contrast sharply with drought stress in mid-summer.
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
Embrace the split season. Plant tomatoes and warm-season crops in late February through March for spring harvest before summer heat peaks in June and July. Take a planned break through summer, then plant heat-tolerant crops (peppers, okra, Southern peas) in late July for fall harvest when temperatures moderate. Select varieties specifically bred for southern heat; standard tomato cultivars fail in Houston's conditions, but heat-set varieties like 'Heatwave' and 'Phoenix' set fruit reliably. For February plantings, keep frost cloth ready through the end of February; the statistical frost date of January 30 does not guarantee safety from surprise freezes. Manage humidity-related disease by ensuring air circulation: space plants for good drainage, avoid overhead watering late in the day, and select disease-resistant varieties where available.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops for Houston's climate?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive in zone 9b heat and humidity. Among vegetables and herbs, peppers (sweet and hot), okra, and Southern peas are reliable. Tomatoes require careful variety selection and strategic timing to succeed.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant in late February through March for spring harvest before summer heat peaks. This catches the mild, lengthening days of early spring. A second planting in late July can produce a fall crop as temperatures cool. Avoid planting in April and May; plants will establish directly into peak summer heat.
- Does the January 30 frost date mean I'm frost-safe after that?
No. February and even early March freezes occur regularly in Houston. The January date is an average, not a guarantee. Protect tender plants through the end of February with frost cloth, and be prepared for surprise freezes into March.
- How do I manage the summer heat?
Most cool-season and warm-season crops struggle during July and August. Take a planned break, or choose heat-loving crops like peppers, okra, and Southern peas. Ensure consistent irrigation, apply mulch to moderate soil temperature, and provide afternoon shade for heat-sensitive plants if possible.
- What's the biggest disease pressure in Houston?
Humidity sustains fungal diseases year-round: powdery mildew, early blight on tomatoes, and root rot in poor drainage. Combat this with air circulation, resistant varieties, and avoiding overhead watering in the evening. Select disease-resistant tomato and pepper cultivars.
- Can I really garden year-round in Houston?
Nearly: with a 330-day frost-free season, spring, fall, and winter all support growth. Summer is the constraint, not cold. Plant spring crops early, take a summer break, then plant again for fall and winter harvests of cool-season crops like greens, brassicas, and root crops.
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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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