Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77068
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 02/19 through 12/03 (~290 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 02/19
- First fall frost
- 12/03
- Growing season
- 290 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 290-day growing season is one of the longest in the United States, extending from late February through early December. This length is Houston's greatest asset for year-round food production. The last spring frost typically falls on February 19, which is relatively late for zone 9b, and the first fall frost doesn't arrive until December 3, giving gardeners a full nine months of frost-free conditions. The challenge isn't cold but rather the opposite: Houston's summers are hot and humid, with consistent temperatures above 90°F from June through September. The zone 9b minimum temperature range (25 to 30°F) means hard freezes are infrequent but do occur several times per decade. Heat-loving crops like figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and persimmons thrive in Houston's warm climate where they struggle in cooler parts of zone 9b. Tomatoes and peppers are reliable annuals during the long warm season, though variety selection matters for sustained production in extreme heat. The dominant constraint for most Houston gardeners is not the cold but humidity: the persistent moisture creates favorable conditions for fungal diseases and requires different management than drier zones.
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
Houston's combination of late spring frost and early tender plants creates a timing trap. Tomatoes and peppers are often planted too early in hope of a head start, only to be killed by the February 19 frost or damaged by late-winter temperature swings. The summer heat, while ideal for fruit set on warm-season crops, can stress young transplants and reduce yields of crops that prefer cooler conditions. Powdery mildew, fire blight on fruit trees, and various fungal leaf spots thrive in Houston's humid conditions, particularly during spring and early summer when temperatures are warm and moisture lingers. Soil drainage is another issue; Houston's clay-heavy soils and low elevation mean standing water can be a problem during heavy rain, which is common in spring. Root rot, especially on poorly drained sites, is more common here than in drier parts of zone 9b.
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, wait to plant tender annuals until at least two weeks after February 19, the average last spring frost date. The earlier February and early March can feel warm, but frost is still likely; delay tomato transplants and peppers by at least two weeks after that date. Second, select heat-tolerant crop varieties for summer production. Heirloom tomatoes often struggle in extreme heat; choose varieties bred for hot climates or use fast-maturing types that fruit before peak summer. Third, improve air circulation through selective pruning and spacing to combat Houston's humidity-driven diseases. Fungal diseases spread fastest in still, moist conditions; opening up the canopy on fruit trees and ensuring proper spacing between vegetable rows reduces disease pressure and is far more effective than fungicide spraying.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit trees to grow in Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes all thrive in zone 9b's warm climate and are reliable producers in Houston. These trees need less winter chill (which Houston doesn't have much of) than apples or pears, making them better suited to the area. Goji berries, while less common, also produce well given Houston's heat and long season.
- When should I transplant tomatoes and peppers outdoors?
Wait until at least two weeks after February 19, the average last spring frost date. Late February and early March feel warm but frost is still common; early plantings often get hit by unexpected cold snaps. Late March or early April is safer for tender annuals.
- What's the biggest weather challenge for Houston gardeners?
Late spring frost catches many gardeners off guard. The false warmth of February and early March tempts early planting, but freezes still occur. The second challenge is summer humidity; it drives fungal diseases and requires careful spacing and air circulation to manage.
- Can I grow tomatoes year-round in Houston?
No. The summer heat (above 90°F consistently from June through September) reduces flower set and fruit quality on most tomato varieties. Spring tomatoes (planted in March-April) fruit through May and early June. Fall tomatoes (planted in July for a September-October harvest) are often more successful because they avoid peak summer heat.
- How do I prevent fungal diseases in Houston's humid climate?
Space plants farther apart than normal, prune selectively to open up the canopy, and water at the soil level rather than overhead to keep foliage dry. Don't work in the garden when foliage is wet. These cultural practices are far more effective than spraying fungicides.
- Is Houston's zone 9b mild enough for tender perennials like avocado or mango?
Zone 9b's minimum temperature (25 to 30°F) is right at the edge for avocado and below the threshold for mango. Hard freezes, though infrequent (every few years on average), do occur in Houston and will kill or severely damage these trees. Cold-hardier options like figs, persimmons, and pomegranates are more reliable. Avocado and mango succeed only with consistent freeze protection or in sheltered microclimates.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00053910. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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