Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77083
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 02/02 through 12/11 (~318 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 02/02
- First fall frost
- 12/11
- Growing season
- 318 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 growing season stretches nearly year-round with last spring frost on February 2 and first fall frost on December 11, yielding 318 frost-free days. This exceptional length allows cultivation of subtropical crops like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes that struggle in colder zone 9 areas. Winter minimums in zone 9b range from 25 to 30°F, rarely killing established trees but cold enough that marginally-hardy plants need site selection.
The binding constraint in Houston is not frost but summer heat and humidity. Afternoons routinely exceed 95°F from June through September, challenging crops that prefer cooler conditions and creating a humid environment where fungal diseases thrive. Soil tends toward sandy and acidic, requiring amendment for crops preferring neutral pH. The combination of heat, humidity, and long season creates a distinct growing calendar: early-season planting in January and February, a summer slowdown for many crops, and a rich fall harvest window from August through November.
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
Late-season frost after early warm spells causes the most grief. Houston winters warm unpredictably; a March bloom following February heat can be killed by an outlier freeze. The last frost date of February 2 is an average, not a guarantee.
Humidity drives fungal pressure year-round. Fire blight strikes in spring when weather is warm and wet. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, and anthracnose flourish in the summer wet-heat cycle. Fruit trees in particular demand disease monitoring and often preventative spray schedules.
Summer heat limits fruit set on apple, pear, and stone fruit, and reduces flavor development in some berries. Inadequate winter chill for standard apple varieties compounds this issue; low-chill varieties are often the only reliable choice.
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 tomatoes and peppers in late February to March for spring harvest before peak heat arrives. A second planting in late July or August captures the fall season as temperatures moderate and disease pressure drops. This dual-season approach makes better use of Houston's long growing window than a single spring planting.
Choose low-chill or no-chill fruit varieties. Standard apple varieties often fail to set fruit reliably because Houston winters don't accumulate sufficient chill hours below 45°F. Asian persimmons, figs, and jujubes demand far less dormancy and are better bets for orchard success.
Monitor weather forecasts closely in late January and February. If a warm spell occurs in late January followed by frost predictions in early February, protect tender perennials with frost cloth before buds swell.
Frequently asked questions
- What fruits and vegetables grow best in Houston?
Subtropical crops like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes excel in zone 9b's long season and mild winters. Tomatoes, peppers, okra, and leafy greens thrive with proper timing. Standard apple and pear varieties often disappoint due to insufficient winter chill; low-chill and Asian pear varieties perform better.
- When should I plant tomatoes and peppers in Houston?
Late February to March is ideal for spring production before summer heat peaks. Plan a second planting in late July or August for a fall crop as temperatures drop. Both windows avoid the hottest months when fruit set declines.
- Do I need frost protection in Houston?
Occasional frost protection is worthwhile. While average last frost is February 2, anomalously warm January spells can trigger early bud-break, leaving trees vulnerable to February freezes. Tender perennials benefit from frost cloth after unexpected warm periods.
- How do I manage fungal diseases in Houston's humidity?
Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately and pruning to open the canopy. Monitor for fire blight in spring and powdery mildew in summer. Many gardeners adopt preventative spray schedules during high-risk periods rather than reacting after infection occurs.
- Why do standard apples set little or no fruit here?
Houston winters rarely accumulate enough chill hours for standard apple varieties. Low-chill varieties like Anna, Fuji, or Gala perform better. Summer heat above 95°F also reduces fruit set, making early-season bloom timing and heat-tolerant rootstock selection critical.
- How does Houston's growing season compare to other zone 9b areas?
Houston's 318 frost-free days is longer than many northern zone 9b locations, extending fall harvest substantially into December. However, the high humidity and summer heat extremes create disease and heat-stress challenges that offset some of the seasonal advantage.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012977. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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