Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77092
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 300-day growing season is one of the longest in North America, compressed between a last spring frost on February 13 and a first fall frost on December 9. The defining feature is a very mild winter but an intense, humid summer. The dominant constraint is not cold but rather the opposite: the sustained heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast climate from May through September regularly exceed 95°F with dew points above 70°F, which inhibits fruit set on heat-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers. Humidity also drives fungal disease pressure year-round. These conditions, however, create ideal growing environments for crops that thrive in warm, humid climates. Figs produce reliably without special protection. Asian persimmons and pomegranates tolerate the heat. Jujubes and goji berries handle both drought and heat stress well. The clay-heavy soil typical of the Houston area requires amendment for drainage, but once corrected, the long season rewards consistent planting and thoughtful variety selection.
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
Heat stress during fruit set is the most common failure point. From June through August, nighttime temperatures rarely drop below 75°F, and daytime highs routinely exceed 95°F. At these temperatures, tomato and pepper pollen becomes sterile, resulting in flower drop and little to no fruit. Humidity creates persistent disease pressure, especially powdery mildew on trees and vines, and gray mold (Botrytis) on berries during wet spells. The third challenge is the clay-heavy soil throughout the greater Houston area, which drains poorly and often stays waterlogged after heavy rain, promoting root rot and fungal infections. Late-winter freezes, while rare, can occur suddenly in late February and early March, catching gardeners off guard when a freeze follows a warm spell.
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
Plan a split harvest schedule for heat-sensitive crops: start tomatoes and peppers indoors in late December for transplanting in January, harvesting through April before the heat stress begins; then replant in mid-August for a fall crop from October through November. Build the backbone of the garden around heat-and-humidity-tolerant crops such as figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries, supplementing with tomatoes and peppers only in the cooler seasons. For cool-season crops (brassicas, leafy greens, root crops), take advantage of the December 9 first-frost date by planting in October and November; these crops thrive in the mild, dry winters and produce through February, then bolt once spring heat arrives.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit trees for Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive in zone 9b with heat and humidity. All tolerate Houston's clay soil if amended for drainage. Select heat-tolerant cultivars bred for warm climates rather than varieties developed for cooler regions.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomatoes in late December or January for a spring harvest from March through April before heat stress triggers flower drop. Replant in mid-August for a fall crop from October through November. Summer planting (May-July) rarely succeeds due to pollen sterility at high temperatures.
- What is the biggest weather risk for Houston gardeners?
Summer heat stress is the primary challenge. Temperatures above 95°F and dew points above 70°F prevent fruit set on tomatoes and peppers. Plan around this reality by planting heat-sensitive crops in spring and fall, and focusing on heat-tolerant varieties year-round.
- How do I manage humidity-related diseases?
Ensure good air circulation by pruning trees and spacing plants adequately. Water only at soil level, never overhead. Remove fallen leaves and debris promptly. Select disease-resistant varieties and monitor for powdery mildew and fungal infections during wet seasons.
- Is a late freeze a real risk in Houston?
Although the average last spring frost is February 13, sudden freezes can occur in late February and early March following warm spells. Monitor the forecast during this window and be prepared to protect sensitive plants if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
- Should I amend Houston's clay soil?
Yes. Houston soils are often clay-heavy with poor drainage. Amend raised beds or planting holes with 2 to 3 inches of compost and aged bark to improve drainage and prevent waterlogging during heavy rain.
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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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