Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77090
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's zone 9b status brings mild winters (lows of 25 to 30°F) but the real defining feature is a 300-day growing season paired with intense summer heat and humidity. Last spring frost arrives February 13, which is later than many Texas gardeners expect. Warm spells in January and early February often tempt premature planting. The first fall frost doesn't arrive until December 9, giving Houston gardeners a long window for fall and winter crops. The dominant constraint is not cold but heat and moisture management. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 95°F with high humidity, creating ideal conditions for fungal diseases while stressing water-sensitive plants. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes thrive in Houston's heat and benefit from the long season. Peppers and goji berries produce reliably where cooler zones struggle. The real advantage lies in the extended fall and winter. Nearly four months separate the first frost date (December 9) from year-end, allowing successive plantings of cool-season crops that grow vigorously in Houston's mild winters.
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 most common Houston pitfall is early spring planting. A warm spell in late January or early February tempts gardeners to transplant before February 13, the historical last-frost date. Even hardy perennials get damaged by the frost that inevitably follows. Summer fungal pressure is the second major obstacle. High humidity and warm nights (often above 70°F) create perfect conditions for mildew, anthracnose, and root rot. Tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbits struggle with disease unless varieties are specifically selected for humidity tolerance. The third challenge is inconsistent water availability. While Houston receives substantial rainfall, the distribution is uneven. Summer heat combined with dry spells can stress young plants and cause blossom-end rot in tomatoes. Irrigation discipline matters more in Houston than in wetter climates.
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, resist the February warm spell. The 300-day growing season is long enough; waiting until early March to transplant tender crops eliminates frost risk and gives plants a genuine advantage. Second, embrace the fall. Plant cool-season crops (brassicas, leafy greens, root crops) in July and August for a productive fall and winter garden. Houston's mild winters allow harvests well into January. Third, choose varieties bred for heat and humidity. Standard tomato and pepper varieties falter in Houston's afternoons; seek out Southern-adapted cultivars with disease resistance to powdery mildew and anthracnose.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best time to plant tomatoes in Houston?
Wait until early March, well after the February 13 last-frost date, to transplant. An early April planting is even safer and avoids the late-winter chill that slows establishment. Houston's heat ramps up by May, so early plantings get a few weeks to establish before temperatures exceed 90°F.
- Can I grow figs reliably in zone 9b Houston?
Yes. Figs thrive in Houston's heat and long season. The main risk is late frost damaging new growth in spring. Mulch the base and avoid heavy winter pruning. Varieties like 'Celeste' and 'Brown Turkey' are well-suited to the region.
- What's the biggest frost risk in Houston gardening?
The temptation to plant too early during January warm spells. While February 13 is the historical last-frost date, Houston regularly experiences cold snaps into March. Tender annuals and newly transplanted perennials are most vulnerable.
- How do I manage fungal diseases in Houston's humidity?
Choose disease-resistant varieties, thin plants for air circulation, and water early in the morning to dry foliage quickly. In summer, afternoon shade cloth (30 to 50 percent density) reduces humidity stress on heat-sensitive crops and improves fungal disease prevention.
- When should I start fall and winter crops?
Begin sowing or transplanting in late July and August. Cool-season crops like lettuce, broccoli, and spinach grow vigorously through Houston's mild fall and winter, with harvests lasting into January. The first frost (December 9) is mild enough that unprotected plants often survive.
- Which peppers handle Houston's summer heat best?
Thai hot, jalapeños, and habaneros outperform bell peppers in peak summer. Asian and specialty varieties often have better heat and humidity tolerance than standard American slicing peppers. Plant early-maturing varieties to establish before the intense June through August heat.
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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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