Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77202
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 gardening is defined by extreme heat and humidity rather than cold. The 300-day growing season extends from mid-February through early December, and winter cold rarely threatens established crops. The dominant challenge is not frost, but managing heat stress and disease pressure during the long, intense summer months (June through September, when temperatures routinely exceed 95°F). The early last-spring-frost date of February 13 is deceptive; many gardeners plant warm-season crops too early and lose them to late freezes that extend into early March. The real growing windows are spring (February to May) and fall (September to December). Heat-loving crops like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes flourish in Houston's climate and are more reliable than many temperate-zone fruits. Tomatoes and peppers grow well when planted at the right time, though summer heat can stress plants and reduce fruit set. The challenge is not growing these crops, but protecting them from the extremes of Houston's subtropical environment.
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-spring freezes are a persistent problem. February 13 is the statistical last spring frost, but temperatures can drop below 32°F into early March, catching tender new growth or recently planted seedlings. Summer humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases, particularly on fruit trees and tomatoes. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot are common even in heat-loving crops. Houston's clay-heavy soils are often alkaline, and drainage is poor during heavy rains, leading to root issues. Finally, the intensity of summer heat (sustained 95°F+ temperatures) stresses both fruit quality and plant vigor; tomato pollen becomes non-viable above 95°F, dramatically reducing fruit set, and thin-skinned fruits like tomatoes and peppers can sunscald.
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-loving crops (tomatoes, peppers, melons) after March 1 to avoid late-frost damage; the soil will be warmer and late freezes less likely. Choose disease-resistant varieties and provide afternoon shade cloth during peak summer (June through August) to reduce heat stress and fungal disease pressure. Succession-plant cool-season crops (leafy greens, root crops, brassicas) every three to four weeks from August through October; the long fall season (first frost not until December 9) allows for multiple plantings that thrive in cooling temperatures.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best in Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes thrive in the heat and humidity. Tomatoes and peppers are reliable annual crops when planted after March 1. Heat-loving varieties consistently outperform cold-hardy selections.
- When should tomatoes be planted in Houston?
Plant tomato transplants after March 1. Although the last spring frost date is February 13, freezes often extend into early March. Waiting for warm soil reduces root rot risk in Houston's heavy clay soils.
- What's the biggest weather threat to Houston gardens?
Sustained summer heat and humidity (95°F+ with high moisture) reduce tomato fruit set and drive fungal disease. Late-spring freezes after mid-February can kill newly planted warm-season crops.
- How do I protect plants from Houston's summer heat?
Shade cloth (30 to 50 percent density) shields tomatoes, peppers, and fruit trees from June through August. Deep, frequent watering is essential in clay soils. Space plants for air circulation to reduce fungal disease.
- Are fruit trees viable in Houston?
Yes, with variety selection. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes are excellent choices. Apples and pears struggle with humidity and unreliable winter chill; focus on low-chill, disease-resistant cultivars if growing them.
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012960. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
Related