Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77061
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 sits in USDA zone 9b with average minimum winter temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit, a range mild enough that many plants never fully dormant. The last spring frost typically falls around January 30, and the first fall frost doesn't arrive until late December. This 330-day growing season is among the longest in the continental U.S., but it comes with a trade-off: heat and humidity are the real constraints, not cold. Summers routinely exceed 90 degrees, with frequent spells above 95, and humidity amplifies the heat's effect on plant stress. Fig, Asian Persimmon, Pomegranate, and Jujube thrive with minimal winter protection here. Tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops can be grown almost year-round with succession planting, though peak production typically shifts to fall when heat stress eases. The challenge is managing what the long season enables, not waiting for one to arrive.
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 stress is the dominant issue. Temperatures above 95 degrees reduce fruit set on peppers and tomatoes, suppress growth in many leafy crops, and increase irrigation demands sharply. Second, humidity creates persistent fungal pressure. Powdery mildew, anthracnose, and root rot diseases thrive when temperatures stay warm and moisture remains high. Third, the February frost risk is deceptively severe. Plants begin breaking dormancy in late January when temperatures remain mild, leaving tender new growth vulnerable to a frost in early February or even early March. Clay soil compounds these problems by draining poorly and amplifying heat stress during drought. Spring freeze damage can wipe out early-leafing figs or unprepared stone fruits.
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 tender crops on a staggered schedule. Rather than a single spring planting, sow tomatoes and peppers in early February (after January 30), again in late July for a fall crop, and potentially in October for a winter crop. Each sowing captures a window when heat stress is moderate. Second, use afternoon shade selectively in July and August. Shade cloth or strategic tree placement reduces heat stress on peppers, new transplants, and cool-season crops sown in midsummer. Third, delay spring pruning and heavy fertilization until after mid-February. This reduces the likelihood that tender new growth breaks dormancy too early and gets caught by a late frost.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit and vegetable choices for Houston?
Figs, Asian Persimmons, Pomegranates, and Jujubes are exceptionally well-suited to zone 9b winters. Tomatoes, peppers (both sweet and hot), and okra thrive with proper summer management. Asparagus, leafy greens, and root crops excel in fall and winter plantings when heat stress lifts.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant the spring crop in early February, after the January 30 average last frost date passes. For fall production (often higher quality due to lower heat), start seeds in late July indoors for transplanting in early August. A third crop can go in October for winter harvest.
- What's the biggest weather risk in this area?
Late winter frost in February or early March. Because winters are mild, plants break dormancy early. A sudden frost then damages tender new growth. Protect early-leafing crops with frost cloth or delay pruning and fertilizing until mid-February.
- How do I manage summer heat and humidity?
Use afternoon shade cloth in July and August, especially for newly transplanted seedlings and peppers. Space plants wider than usual to improve air circulation and reduce fungal disease. Water deeply in morning hours and mulch to keep soil cooler and reduce heat stress.
- What soil amendments does Houston clay need?
Add 2 to 3 inches of compost annually to improve drainage and prevent waterlogging in the rainy season. Mulch with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips to stabilize soil temperature and moisture. Avoid tilling clay when wet, as it compacts further.
- Can I grow stone fruits like peaches and plums here?
Yes, but choose low-chill varieties suited to zone 9b (100 to 300 chill hours, not the 800-plus required by northern types). Delay dormant-season pruning until mid-February to avoid frost damage to new growth. Watch for late-winter freeze damage in February or early March, which is the main threat.
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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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