Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77066
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 02/13 through 12/09 (~300 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 02/13
- First fall frost
- 12/09
- Growing season
- 300 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 300-day growing season and Feb 13 last spring frost create opportunities rarely found in temperate climates. The true constraint here is not cold but summer heat and humidity. Zone 9b minimum temperatures of 25–30°F mean frost seldom kills established woody plants, and the Dec 9 first fall frost arrives so late that warm-season crops continue producing well into winter. This inverts the typical zone-based gardening rhythm: early spring is often too cool for heat-demanding crops, but fall becomes an extended second season. Crops like fig, Asian persimmon, pomegranate, and jujube thrive in Houston's climate and may struggle in cooler parts of zone 9b where winters are more severe. Traditional high-chill apples and pears are poor fits; their dormancy requirements don't align with Houston's mild winters. Conversely, tomatoes, peppers, and other heat-lovers find near-ideal conditions across much of the year. The limiting factor is not when growth is possible but which plant types tolerate the combination of heat, humidity, and rainfall patterns.
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 Feb 13 spring frost date is deceptively late, catching gardeners who plant cold-sensitive crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) too early in January or early February. Waiting until mid-February or later is safer than gambling on mild weather, despite the temptation created by warm January spells. High humidity and frequent rainfall drive fungal diseases; mildew, leaf spot, root rot, and bacterial issues are chronic in poorly draining soils or on humidity-sensitive varieties. A third challenge is summer water stress: peak July-August heat combined with either natural drought or imposed water restrictions stresses many plants that thrive in spring and fall. Most woody plants falter during this window unless irrigated consistently or selected for extreme heat tolerance.
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, delay warm-season plantings until after Feb 13 to avoid frost loss; the Dec 9 fall frost is so late that a late spring start is easily compensated by an extended fall and winter season. Second, prioritize crops and varieties bred for heat and humidity rather than fighting the climate; fig, Asian persimmon, and pomegranate tolerate summer heat better than European pears or high-chill apple varieties. Third, use fall as a second planting window (September onward) for tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops that will produce continuously from October through December, avoiding the humidity spike of early summer.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best crop to start with in Houston?
Fig, Asian persimmon, pomegranate, and jujube are the most reliable; they tolerate heat, humidity, and mild winters without special protection. Tomatoes and peppers thrive if planted after Feb 13.
- When do I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Avoid January and February planting despite mild temperatures; the last spring frost (Feb 13) catches early plants. Plant after mid-February for spring harvest, or better yet, plant again in September for a larger fall-winter crop into December.
- Why does early spring never seem to work for tender crops?
The Feb 13 last spring frost is the culprit. Warm January weather tempts early planting, but cold snaps in late January or early February often damage or kill tender crops. Waiting until mid-February or later is safer.
- Can I grow apples in Houston?
Standard apples require 300–900 chill hours and struggle in Houston's mild winters. Low-chill varieties bred for warm climates exist but are uncommon. Persimmons and figs are more practical alternatives.
- What's the biggest weather threat in Houston?
Late spring frosts (around Feb 13) and summer humidity-driven diseases. Frost can damage early plantings, while humidity promotes fungal issues. Both require either frost protection or disease-resistant varieties.
- Do I really have a 300-day growing season?
Yes, from mid-February through early December. However, peak summer heat (July-August) stresses some crops, and humidity limits options. The fall season (Sept-Dec) is often more productive than early spring.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012960. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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