Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77076
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 gardeners have the advantage of an exceptionally long growing season that stretches from mid-February through early December, offering nearly 300 frost-free days. The dominant constraint is not cold but rather heat and humidity. Summers regularly exceed 90°F for months at a time, and the Gulf-influenced humidity creates conditions where fungal diseases thrive. This is actually ideal for subtropical crops like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes that struggle elsewhere in zone 9b. The last spring frost arrives on February 13, relatively late compared to other parts of Texas, which means early bloomers still face frost risk during what feels like spring. The first fall frost doesn't arrive until December 9, extending harvest opportunities well into winter for cool-season crops planted in fall. The real gardening calendar in Houston is inverted from northern zones: spring and fall are the comfortable growing seasons, and summer is spent managing heat stress rather than maximizing growth.
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 humidity that makes Houston a subtropical garden paradise also fuels fungal disease pressure. Fire blight, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and leaf spot diseases are far more aggressive here than in drier parts of zone 9b, particularly in spring (March through May) when warm days follow cool nights. A second challenge is the abrupt late frost on February 13. Fruit trees that begin blooming in January can be devastated by a late freeze, making variety selection critical. Finally, summer heat stress between July and September creates a hidden bottleneck. Many summer crops (tomatoes, peppers, beans) simply stop producing or abort flowers above 95°F, and the soil can become too hot for root development without consistent irrigation and mulch cover.
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
Plant early-flowering varieties with caution and keep frost cloth on hand through mid-February, especially for fruit trees. A February freeze can still cause significant bud damage even in zone 9b. Second, time spring plantings to take advantage of the reliable window between the last frost (February 13) and the onset of summer heat (June onward). Cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, and brassicas sown in March thrive, but once May arrives, most struggle unless shaded. Third, adopt summer dormancy thinking: instead of fighting the July-September heat, plant fall crops starting in late July and August for a second harvest season from October through December. This alignment with Houston's naturally mild winter months consistently outperforms spring-focused planting strategies.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops to grow in Houston?
Subtropical and tropical crops flourish in Houston's heat and humidity. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes are reliable producers. Tomatoes and peppers grow well when planted for spring (before summer heat) or fall (after heat subsides). Root crops like onions and sweet potatoes also thrive with proper watering.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomato transplants in early spring (late February or early March, after the February 13 frost date) for a spring crop through May. For better success, treat tomatoes as a fall crop and transplant again in late July or early August for harvest from October through November, when temperatures are cooler and disease pressure is lower.
- How do I protect fruit trees from the late spring frost on February 13?
Keep frost blankets or burlap on hand in late January and early February. Monitor weather forecasts and cover trees the night before frost is predicted. Avoid early-flowering varieties if frost protection isn't practical; choose late-blooming cultivars of apples, pears, and stone fruits instead.
- What causes summer crop failure in Houston?
Heat stress is the primary culprit. Above 95°F, tomatoes and peppers often drop flowers and stop producing. Provide 20 to 30 percent afternoon shade cloth from June through August, water deeply and consistently, and consider growing heat-tolerant varieties like Armenian cucumber or yard-long beans instead.
- How do I manage humidity-related fungal diseases?
Choose disease-resistant varieties when available. Prune trees and shrubs for air circulation, especially in spring. Water at soil level rather than overhead to keep foliage dry. In spring (March-May), apply sulfur or neem oil fungicides when conditions favor disease development.
- Can I grow tropical crops year-round in Houston?
Most tropical crops (mangoes, avocados, citrus) survive Houston's winters since lows rarely dip below 25°F. However, occasional freezes can kill tender new growth or young trees. Plant tropical varieties in sheltered microclimates near walls or under tree cover, and mulch heavily.
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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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