Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77234
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 climate presents distinct advantages and constraints compared to other USDA zone 9b regions. The last spring frost typically arrives around February 13, and the first fall frost does not appear until December 9, providing a 300-day growing season that ranks among the longest in the United States. This extended window suits heat-lovers and warm-season crops exceptionally well. However, Houston's combination of high humidity, intense summer heat (frequently exceeding 95°F), and erratic spring weather creates pressure that colder or drier parts of zone 9b do not face. Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons thrive here because they tolerate sustained heat and humidity better than many deciduous fruits. Tomatoes and peppers flourish through the long season but demand careful variety selection and irrigation management. The key to success in Houston gardening is working with the heat and humidity rather than against them, choosing heat-tolerant varieties and timing plantings to avoid the worst of summer stress.
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
Three constraints routinely challenge Houston gardeners. First, late-winter and early-spring frost events can strike unexpectedly between mid-February and mid-March, particularly in years with warm January weather followed by arctic air. Crops planted too early (late January or early February) often face damage from these sudden freeze events. Second, summer humidity from June through September drives fungal and bacterial diseases that rarely occur in drier regions of zone 9b. Powdery mildew, leaf spot diseases, and root-rot fungi exploit the warm, wet conditions. Third, alkaline and clay-heavy soils are common in the Houston area, making soil amendment an ongoing need. These soils resist water infiltration and can lock up micronutrients that peppers, tomatoes, and fruit trees require.
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
Protect early plantings from late frost. February 13 marks the average last spring frost, but late-frost events occur into early March. Delay transplanting tender crops (tomatoes, peppers) until mid-March to avoid replanting losses. Keep frost cloth or row cover on hand even after planting if forecasts threaten. Choose mildew-resistant varieties and improve air circulation. High humidity is Houston's defining challenge. Tomato varieties with documented resistance to leaf spot and powdery mildew reduce fungicide reliance. Space plants generously and prune lower foliage to encourage airflow. Take advantage of the long season with succession planting. With a 300-day growing season and frost not arriving until December 9, a second planting of beans, squash, or quick-maturing crops in mid-June to early July reaches full harvest before winter. This extends production beyond the spring-only cycle common in colder zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best in Houston's zone 9b climate?
Heat and humidity define the best choices. Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons excel because they tolerate sustained heat and moisture. Tomatoes and peppers produce abundantly with proper variety selection and irrigation. Cool-season crops like broccoli and lettuce require succession planting in fall and winter (October through February) to avoid bolting.
- When should I plant tomatoes and peppers in Houston?
Transplant in mid-March, after the typical last frost date of February 13 and the risk of late-season freezes drops. Direct-sow beans and warm-season crops after April 1. Starting seeds indoors in late January or early February supports a mid-March transplant schedule that aligns with Houston's frost risk.
- What is the biggest weather threat to Houston gardeners?
High humidity drives disease pressure that other zone 9b regions avoid. Fungal diseases thrive in warm, wet conditions from June through September. Additionally, late-winter and early-spring frosts (February through early March) can destroy early plantings if timing is misjudged.
- How do I manage Houston's high humidity and disease risk?
Select varieties bred for disease resistance. Space plants generously for airflow. Remove lower leaves to reduce leaf-to-soil splash. Water at the base, not overhead, to keep foliage dry. In severe cases, sulfur or neem-based fungicides applied preventatively during humid months reduce losses.
- Can I grow cool-season crops in Houston?
Yes, but on an inverted schedule. Plant broccoli, lettuce, kale from October through December for winter and early-spring harvest. Spring plantings bolt quickly in the heat. The December 9 first fall frost is quite late, allowing extended fall harvests if transplants go in by September.
- What should I do about Houston's alkaline soil?
Amend heavily with compost and acidifying mulches (pine needles or sulfur) to lower pH gradually. Raised beds filled with imported soil or compost provide faster results for vegetables and fruit crops. Apply chelated micronutrients (especially iron and zinc) if foliage yellows despite adequate fertilizer.
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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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