Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77047
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 falls in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with winter lows averaging 25 to 30°F. The city's defining feature is a frost-free period of 330 days, running from late January through late December, making it one of the longest growing seasons in North America. Cold is rarely the limiting factor here; heat and humidity are.
The extreme length of the growing season enables year-round cultivation of many crops. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive where shorter zones struggle. Tomatoes and peppers can be planted far earlier than in zone 8 or cooler regions, and many can produce into early winter. Cool-season crops like broccoli and lettuce work as winter crops instead of summer ones.
The trade-off is that heat-stressed crops often decline mid-summer, humidity drives fungal disease pressure, and the very mild winters mean less winter dormancy for pests and some diseases. Gardeners succeed by choosing heat-tolerant varieties for summer, timing plantings to avoid the worst heat, and accepting that some crops have a narrower planting window than the calendar might suggest.
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 challenges define Houston gardening. First, summer heat, regularly 90°F or higher from June through September, stresses many crops bred for cooler climates. Pepper yields drop sharply, tomato pollen becomes sterile above 90°F, and stone fruit trees set poorly without sufficient winter chill hours. Second, the year-round warmth and high humidity create ideal conditions for fungal disease pressure, especially fire blight on apple-family trees, powdery mildew on many ornamentals and herbs, and root rot in poorly drained soils. Third, the relatively late spring frost date of January 30 can catch unwary early plantings. Tender crops started in November or December risk cold damage if an unexpected freeze occurs in late January, setting back growth and reducing yields. Spring is compressed; cold-intolerant crops need to wait.
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 warm-season crops earlier than gardeners in cooler zones, but not before late January. Tomatoes and peppers can be planted in early February, allowing them to establish strong roots and early growth before June heat arrives. A second, later planting in late July or early August produces a fall crop (August through November) after summer stress breaks. Use afternoon shade cloth (30 to 50 percent shade) in June through August to protect heat-sensitive crops like lettuce, spinach, and some pepper varieties from stress and bolting. Embrace the long winter growing window (late November through late February) for brassicas, root crops, and alliums that struggle in summer heat; these often outperform spring crops in Houston because they mature in cool, mild weather rather than peak heat.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit trees for Houston's zone 9b?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries are ideally suited to Houston's heat and long season. Stone fruits like peaches need adequate winter chill (400-700 hours below 45°F depending on variety), which zone 9b can provide with the right cultivar selection. Apples struggle with humidity and heat in Houston; disease pressure is high.
- When should I plant tomatoes and peppers in Houston?
Early February is optimal. This timing gives the plants time to establish roots and early growth before June heat arrives. A second, later planting in late July or early August can produce a fall crop (August through November) after summer stress breaks. Avoid planting too early (before late January) because the January 30 frost date creates risk.
- Is the January 30 frost date a real risk to early plantings?
Yes. While Houston's growing season is long, the late January frost means tender crops started in November or early December can be damaged. Protect young transplants with row covers if frost threatens, or wait until early February to reduce risk.
- How do I prevent humidity-driven diseases in Houston?
Prioritize air circulation by spacing plants adequately and pruning for open canopy structure. Water at the soil level in early morning, never wetting foliage. Choose disease-resistant varieties when available. For high-value crops, consider fungicide schedules during peak humidity months (May through September).
- What crops do well as winter crops in Houston?
Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale), root crops (beets, carrots, radishes), leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, chard), and alliums (onions, garlic) thrive in Houston's mild winter (December through February). They mature in cool, mild weather and avoid summer heat stress entirely. Plant in October or November for harvest through February.
- Do I need shade cloth in Houston summers?
Yes, for many crops. Apply 30 to 50 percent shade cloth June through August to protect heat-sensitive plants (lettuce, spinach, some peppers, herbs) from stress, wilting, and bolting. Crops like figs and pomegranates tolerate full sun even in peak heat, so selective shading based on crop needs is most efficient.
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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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