Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77069
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 subtropical climate makes it one of the earliest spring planting windows in the zone 9b band. Last spring frost arrives by mid-February (Feb 19), and first fall frost doesn't occur until early December (Dec 3), yielding a 290-day growing season that stretches from winter into the holidays. Winter lows of 25–30°F pose minimal risk to tender perennials like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes, which thrive here. The defining constraint in Houston is summer heat and humidity: daytime temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, paired with 70%+ humidity. This combination accelerates both crop maturity and fungal disease pressure. Stone fruits and most temperate fruits that struggle with excessive heat or wet foliage do best when sited for morning sun and afternoon air circulation. Warm-season vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, okra) perform exceptionally well, though succession planting extends productivity through the brutal July-August window when seeded crops may stall. Figs and pomegranates, which tolerate or even prefer heat, are more reliable long-term investments than many temperate fruits.
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 primary hazard is summer fungal disease driven by heat and humidity. Black spot, powdery mildew, and anthracnose spread rapidly on closely spaced plants with poor air movement, particularly on stone fruits and grapes. The secondary challenge is late spring frost timing: while Feb 19 is early, an unseasonably warm February can trigger early bloom in figs and persimmons, only to be caught by a rare March freeze. A third issue is summer dormancy or heat stress in cool-season crops (brassicas, leafy greens, root crops) planted in spring; most bolt or languish by June and are better reserved for fall-to-winter harvest. Periodically, drought and water restrictions arrive in summer, complicating irrigation-dependent vegetables like tomatoes and peppers mid-season.
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, sow warm-season vegetables (tomatoes, peppers) and direct-seed succession crops (beans, okra) in late February or early March, immediately after the Feb 19 frost date, to establish strong root systems before summer heat arrives. Stagger sowings every 3 to 4 weeks through April to ensure continuous harvest windows. Second, when selecting tomato and pepper varieties, prioritize heat-tolerant types and cultivars bred for humidity resistance. These are critical for managing disease in Houston summers. Third, create afternoon shade for moisture-loving crops during peak summer months (July and August). A 30% to 50% shade cloth over beds dramatically reduces heat stress and fungal pressure without significantly compromising yield.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the easiest crops to grow in Houston?
Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and hot peppers thrive with minimal care and tolerate or prefer the local heat and humidity. Tomatoes and sweet peppers are also reliable when you select heat-tolerant varieties and provide proper spacing for air circulation.
- When should I start tomatoes in Houston?
With a last frost date of Feb 19, direct seed or plant tomato transplants in late February to early March. This gives plants 3 to 4 months to establish and fruit before peak summer heat arrives in late June.
- What's the biggest frost risk in Houston?
Late spring freezes in March, not early winter cold. An unseasonably warm February can trigger early bloom in tender perennials like figs and Asian persimmons, only to be damaged by a rare March freeze. Monitor late February forecasts and protect vulnerable bloomers if frost threatens.
- Can I grow vegetables year-round in Houston?
Nearly. Spring and fall crops (April-May, September-November) are ideal. Summer is challenging for cool-season crops but excellent for heat-loving plants. Winter (December-February) is mild enough for leafy greens, root crops, and brassicas.
- Why are my tomatoes and peppers getting fungal disease in summer?
High humidity and crowded spacing create ideal conditions for powdery mildew, black spot, and anthracnose. Increase plant spacing, prune lower foliage, water at soil level (not overhead), and choose disease-resistant varieties. Afternoon shade helps reduce leaf wetness and humidity.
- Are Asian persimmons and pomegranates good choices for Houston?
Yes, both thrive in Houston's heat. Asian persimmons fruit reliably in zone 9b here. Pomegranates prefer heat and produce sweeter fruit in hotter climates. Both require minimal disease management compared to temperate stone fruits.
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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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