Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77216
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 sits in USDA zone 9b with winter lows of 25–30°F, creating one of the longest growing seasons in the continental United States. The last spring frost arrives on February 13 and the first fall frost does not arrive until December 9, a 300-day window that spans nearly the entire calendar year. This extreme length is Houston's greatest advantage for gardeners: cool-season crops can run from January through March, warm-season crops dominate April through November, and fall planting extends the harvest window deep into winter. Heat and humidity are the dominant constraints. High humidity creates an environment where fungal diseases spread rapidly and heat-sensitive crops struggle. The zone's warm winters eliminate cold-hardiness as a major concern for subtropical species; fig, Asian persimmon, pomegranate, and jujube all thrive with minimal winter protection. Summer heat and humidity shape variety selection, planting timing, and pest management more than winter cold does.
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
Fungal disease pressure peaks June through September due to high humidity, leaf wetness, and warm nighttime temperatures. Powdery mildew, black spot on roses, and fire blight on pears become relentless; preventive fungicide schedules or disease-resistant varieties are essential rather than optional. Summer heat stress, combined with intense afternoon sun, can reduce yield or kill plants adapted to cooler climates; melons and squash planted in May may wilt by mid-July without shade cloth, deep mulch, and consistent irrigation. Late winter or early spring frosts, though rare, can damage early-blooming fruit trees (especially figs and persimmons that break dormancy in January) if they arrive after a warm spell in February. Many Houston soils are alkaline due to limestone parent material, locking up micronutrients like iron and manganese; acidifying amendments and chelated micronutrient sprays are often necessary for acid-loving crops.
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
Start spring crops extremely early. With last frost on February 13, broccoli, kale, and other brassicas should be seeded indoors in December or direct-sown in early January to establish before heat accelerates bolting in March. Tomato and pepper growers often plant in late January or early February for a spring harvest before June heat stress reduces flowering and fruit set; a second, smaller crop can be started in late August for fall harvest when cooler nights return. Leverage the 300-day season for succession planting. From June through August, seed short-season fall crops (lettuce, spinach, beans, root crops) directly into the garden. By September these establish quickly in cooling temperatures and provide harvests from October through December, allowing two crops per year in spaces that mature in cooler zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What fruit trees grow best in Houston?
Fig, Asian persimmon, pomegranate, and jujube are nearly problem-free in zone 9b. All are heat and drought tolerant once established, produce reliably without intense pruning, and suffer minimal cold damage. Goji berry also thrives. Peaches and pears can work but require vigilant disease management due to humidity.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant in late January or early February for a spring harvest by May-June, before summer heat reduces flowering. For a fall crop, direct-seed or transplant in late August; these mature in cooler October-November temperatures. Avoid planting in May or June, when transplants arrive during peak heat stress.
- What is the biggest challenge to gardening in Houston?
High humidity and summer heat create intense fungal disease pressure and heat stress. Powdery mildew, black spot, and fire blight thrive June through September. Select disease-resistant varieties, space plants for airflow, and water at soil level rather than overhead to reduce leaf wetness.
- Can I garden year-round in Houston?
Nearly, thanks to the 300-day growing season. Spring crops finish by June, summer crops dominate July through September, and fall crops thrive October through December. The gap is mid-summer heat stress, when most gardeners focus on established perennials, shade crops, and succession planting for fall.
- Do I need frost protection in Houston?
Occasionally. The February 13 last frost date is mild and hard freezes are rare, but early-breaking perennials like figs and persimmons can be damaged if frost returns after a warm January. Heavy mulch or frost cloth on tender plants in early spring provides cheap insurance.
- How do I manage alkaline soil in Houston?
Houston's limestone-based soils often exceed pH 7.5, locking up iron, manganese, and zinc. Amend with sulfur or organic matter to lower pH slightly. For acid-loving plants like blueberries, grow in containers or raised beds filled with amended soil. Chelated micronutrient sprays provide quick relief.
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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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