Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77231
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 gardening calendar stretches nearly 300 days between the last spring frost (February 13) and the first fall frost (December 9), but the real advantage is not length of season but what grows reliably in the heat. Zone 9b winters rarely dip below 25°F, so tender perennials like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and goji berries thrive without protection. The dominant constraint is sustained heat and humidity, not cold. Summers routinely exceed 90°F by May and hold there through September, which favors warm-season crops but defeats cool-season crops that define gardening in cooler zones. The combination of long season and mild winters makes Houston ideal for succession planting: spring tomatoes and peppers, late-summer plantings of the same for fall harvest, and multiple rounds of warm-season crops. The trade-off is substantial. The same humidity and warmth that extend the growing season create ideal conditions for fungal disease pressure on leafy crops and stone fruits. Understanding this trade-off, season length and crop variety in exchange for disease and heat management, defines Houston gardening.
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 dominant challenge is timing. A warm February can trigger early bud break in sensitive crops like peaches and figs; an unexpected March frost then eliminates that year's fruit. This late-season frost risk persists through early April, catching gardeners who planted too early. The second major issue is fungal disease driven by humidity and warmth. Powdery mildew, black spot fungus, and leaf spot diseases spread aggressively on tomatoes, cucurbits, and grapes. Managing these without excessive chemical input requires variety selection, spacing for airflow, and diligent removal of affected foliage. A third obstacle, less visible but consequential, is Houston's clay-heavy soil with poor natural drainage. Root rot in perennials and disease in shallow-rooted crops develop rapidly if soil moisture is not managed carefully.
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 tomatoes and peppers indoors by late January for transplant by mid-March, giving them a head start before the intense April and May heat. A late-March or April planting often languishes through June without heavy shade. Second, choose disease-resistant varieties deliberately. 'Brandywine' tomatoes are excellent but highly susceptible to early blight; pair them with resistant varieties like 'Celebrity' or 'Mountain Magic' to reduce your reliance on fungicides. Third, plan a fall succession crop. Planting tomatoes and peppers again in late July or early August produces fruit before the December frost, extends your productive season, and gives you a second chance to test varieties and techniques learned in spring.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit trees for Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes thrive in zone 9b with minimal winter protection. Peaches and pears require low-chill varieties bred for warm climates to avoid spring frost damage on buds. Standard apple varieties are marginal and often disappoint due to disease pressure.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Late January or February for indoor seed starting, transplant by mid-March to establish before May heat. A second planting in late July or early August produces a fall crop before the December frost. Early plantings fruit; late ones often fail to set fruit in peak summer heat.
- What's the biggest weather risk for Houston gardens?
Late-winter or early-spring frosts after warm spells. A warm February induces bud break in sensitive crops; an unexpected March frost then destroys the year's harvest. Monitor long-range forecasts and be ready to protect or water trees when frost threatens.
- Can I grow cool-season crops like lettuce and broccoli?
Only in winter and early spring. Plant in October or November for harvest before April heat. Summer heat causes bolting and bitterness by late May. Fall planting in late August can work if you shade crops in September before temperatures drop.
- How do I manage fungal disease in Houston's humidity?
Space plants for airflow, water at soil level only, avoid evening watering, and mulch to prevent soil splash. Choose resistant varieties where available. Early-season copper fungicide applications prevent disease better than treating established infections. Remove affected leaves promptly to slow spread.
- Is Houston's soil suitable for gardening without amendment?
The clay-heavy, poorly draining native soil challenges most crops. Amend with compost or composted bark to improve drainage, especially for perennials. Test pH before planting; many fruit trees prefer 6.0 to 7.0. Raised beds or mounded rows often outperform attempts to amend native soil in place.
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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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