Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77089
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/30 through 12/28 (~330 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/30
- First fall frost
- 12/28
- Growing season
- 330 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 330-day growing season ranks among the longest in the continental United States, a consequence of the city's late last spring frost (January 30) and exceptionally late first fall frost (December 28). This extended frost-free window makes zone 9b a genuinely permissive climate for frost-sensitive crops. The actual constraint is not cold but heat and humidity: summer conditions persist from late June through August, with Gulf Coast humidity compounding the thermal stress. Crops that thrive elsewhere in zone 9b without additional protection, such as apples, stone fruits, and many soft-cane berries, often struggle during Houston's hot summers. Conversely, heat-loving perennials like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes flourish. Tomatoes and peppers grow reliably, but only if planted early enough to set fruit before the peak summer heat arrives. The humidity and warmth create an ideal environment for fungal diseases, particularly in late spring and early fall.
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 defining challenge for home growers in Houston is the heat stress that arrives in late June and persists through August. Many cool-season and moderate-season crops, such as lettuce, spinach, and some pepper varieties, produce poorly or not at all during these months. Fungal diseases, especially powdery mildew and early blight, proliferate in the humidity and warmth of spring and fall transitions. A secondary risk is the rare but occasionally damaging late spring frost: while January 30 is the typical last frost date, unusually warm springs can trigger early bloom, only to be caught by a freeze in late February or early March. Clay-heavy soils common across the Houston area compact easily and drain poorly if amended carelessly.
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 heat-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers by the end of February or early March to maximize fruit set before the July heat spike. This early timing exploits the mild spring window and allows fruit to mature before temperatures peak. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses rather than overhead watering to deliver water directly to roots during the hot months, reducing disease pressure and water waste. Select crop varieties explicitly bred for heat tolerance: long-season paste tomatoes and heat-tolerant pepper types, both sweet and hot, bred for southern climates will outperform temperate-climate varieties. For frost protection, the primary concern is not winter hardiness but the occasional late spring freeze; row covers or frost cloth stored and ready by late February will address the rare but impactful risk.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomatoes by the end of February or early March to allow fruit set before peak summer heat. Fall crops can be started in late July or August for harvest from October through December, taking advantage of cooler weather.
- What crops thrive in Houston heat?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries are reliably productive in the heat. Sweet potatoes, okra, yard-long beans, eggplant, and heat-tolerant pepper varieties also perform well during the long season.
- Do I need frost protection in Houston?
Frost damage is rare but possible in late February or early March, particularly after an unusually warm spell triggers early bloom. Keep frost cloth on hand as a precaution during late winter.
- How do I keep peppers alive through Houston summers?
Plant early, by early March, so they're established before peak heat. Use 30 to 50 percent shade cloth from July through August to reduce heat stress and prevent sunscald on fruit.
- What's the best time to start a fall garden in Houston?
Late July or early August is ideal for fall crops like tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens, and brassicas. The first fall frost (December 28) is very late, giving fall crops a long harvest window.
- Why do my peppers and tomatoes fail in summer?
Summer heat causes flower and fruit drop when temperatures stress the plants. Solutions include planting early, before June, selecting heat-tolerant varieties, and providing afternoon shade during peak heat months.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012918. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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