Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77058
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/31 through 12/27 (~328 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/31
- First fall frost
- 12/27
- Growing season
- 328 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 occupies the humid subtropical belt of zone 9b, where winter cold is rarely a limiting factor but summer heat and humidity reshape the entire growing strategy. The last spring frost arrives by January 31, and the first fall frost does not arrive until December 27, creating a nearly 11-month frost-free window and a growing season of 328 days. This exceptional length carries a cost: peak summer temperatures routinely exceed 95°F, and afternoon humidity often surpasses 80%, creating ideal conditions for fungal and bacterial diseases that remain dormant in cooler climates. Winter is mild enough that tender plants may break dormancy during a warm spell, only to be damaged by an unexpected freeze.
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive on extended warmth and reach full productivity here. Tomatoes and peppers, while widely grown, succeed only with careful variety selection and afternoon shade during June through August. The constraint is not growing something, but choosing what to grow based on heat and humidity tolerance rather than cold hardiness. Many zone 9b recommendations written for drier or less extreme heat regions will underperform in Houston.
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
Late January and early February freezes, though infrequent, still occur and can set back tender perennials that have begun growth in the mild winter. Fungal and bacterial diseases proliferate in the humid summers, particularly in densely planted beds with poor air circulation. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and bacterial leaf scorch are seasonal regulars. Additionally, the afternoon thunderstorm season from May through September brings sudden flooding to low-lying beds and can damage ripening fruit crops. High humidity also favors spider mites and scale insects on ornamental crops. The challenge is balancing adequate moisture, necessary in hot summers, against the fungal diseases that high humidity encourages.
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 heat-tolerant varieties of tomato and pepper in late winter (February) for spring harvest, then repeat the planting in mid-August for a fall crop before the December 27 frost arrives. Use 30% to 50% shade cloth over beds from June through August to reduce heat stress on perennials and extend the harvest of spring-planted crops through peak heat. Soil in Houston tends toward alkaline or neutral pH, which can restrict nutrient availability even when nutrients are present in the soil. Test soil pH before planting and amend with sulfur if crops show iron deficiency (yellowing between leaf veins), which is common in high-pH soils.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best crop to start with in Houston?
Tomatoes and peppers offer quick payoff if you select heat-tolerant varieties and provide afternoon shade. For less management, figs and Asian persimmons establish easily and produce reliably year after year with minimal care.
- When do I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant in late February for a spring crop that matures by June before peak heat stress. Repeat planting in mid-August for a fall crop that produces through November and early December before the December 27 frost date.
- What's the biggest frost risk in Houston?
A late freeze in late January or early February can damage tender perennials like figs and pomegranates that have broken dormancy during the mild winter. January 31 is the last spring frost date, but occasional freezes occur into early February.
- How do I protect plants from summer heat?
Shade cloth (30% to 50% density) draped over beds June through August reduces temperature and humidity around leaves. Water early in the morning to keep roots consistently moist without promoting fungal disease. Mulch heavily to regulate soil temperature.
- What vegetables can grow year-round in Houston?
Leafy greens and brassicas thrive September through March. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers fill February through August. Cool-season and warm-season seasons overlap in April and October, allowing succession planting for continuous harvest.
- Why do my plants get powdery mildew and leaf spots?
High humidity and warm temperatures (75°F to 85°F) create ideal conditions for fungal growth. Improve air circulation by spacing plants farther apart, water at soil level to keep leaves dry, and remove infected leaves promptly. Resistant varieties are worth seeking out.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012975. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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