Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77236
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 permits a 300-day growing season bookended by a late spring frost (February 13) and a late fall frost (December 9). The extended frost-free window favors heat-loving crops like figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries that struggle in cooler zones, making Houston a genuine advantage for specialty fruit cultivation. However, the dominant gardening constraint is not frost but summer heat and humidity. From June through September, daytime temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high moisture, creating ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot. The heavy clay soils common to the Houston area compound drainage challenges during wet springs and humid summers. Gardeners who navigate these conditions with disease-resistant varieties and strategic irrigation succeed with a much broader crop palette than zone ratings alone suggest.
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 February 13 frost date is late enough that warm-season plants often break dormancy and leaf out in January, only to encounter frost damage or death in early February when cold snaps arrive. Fungal disease pressure from June onward is relentless; humidity and warmth create perfect conditions for powdery mildew on squash and beans, early blight on tomatoes, and anthracnose on peppers. Soil drainage is a chronic issue. Houston's predominant clay soils hold water poorly in spring rains and poorly release it during droughts, stressing root systems regardless of irrigation input. These three factors (late-frost tender growth, summer disease, soil structure) account for most crop failures in the area.
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
Frost-sensitive perennials like figs and pomegranates often break dormancy in warm January weather, putting tender new growth at risk when late frosts arrive after February 13. Delay pruning and fertilizing until late February to minimize damage.
Summer tomato success depends on disease-resistant varieties. Powdery mildew, early blight, and other fungal diseases spread rapidly in Houston's humidity; heirloom and open-pollinated varieties bred for cooler climates will fail. Modern hybrids developed for hot, humid regions produce reliably through the summer.
Houston's heavy clay soils restrict drainage, exacerbating fungal disease and waterlogging stress. Amend planting areas with 3 to 4 inches of compost and coarse sand before planting. This single improvement cuts disease incidence substantially.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow best in Houston zone 9b?
Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons thrive in Houston's heat and long season. Tomatoes and sweet or hot peppers are summer staples with thoughtful variety selection. Goji berries, which struggle in most of the US, succeed reliably here. Cool-season crops like lettuce, brassicas, and peas grow well in the extended fall and winter window from October through March.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Spring tomatoes can go in the ground after February 13 (last frost date), but Houston's summer heat and humidity defeat most varieties by August. Plant spring crops in late February to early March for June harvest. For a fall crop, plant seeds in mid-June and transplant in late July for September through November production, when disease pressure drops.
- How do I protect plants from late frost after warm winter days?
Monitor 10-day forecasts in January and February. If frost threatens after warm growth, cover tender plants with frost cloth or burlap the evening before the freeze. Avoid pruning or fertilizing frost-sensitive perennials (figs, pomegranates) until after February 13 to avoid stimulating premature leaf-out.
- How can I reduce fungal diseases in summer?
Choose disease-resistant varieties, especially for tomatoes and squash. Space plants wider than recommendations to improve air circulation; cramped spacing guarantees mildew in Houston's humidity. Water at soil level only, never overhead, to keep foliage dry. Remove infected leaves promptly.
- What's the best time for a fall garden in Houston?
Plant cool-season crops in late August through mid-September. The December 9 first-frost date means lettuces, broccoli, and root crops have 3.5 months to mature. Fall crops often outperform spring crops because humidity and disease pressure decline sharply in October.
- How do I deal with Houston's clay soil?
Add 3 to 4 inches of coarse sand (not fine sand) and compost to the top 8 to 10 inches of existing soil before planting. Raised beds filled with a topsoil and compost mix are a practical alternative if in-place amending feels overwhelming. Improved drainage cuts fungal disease by 40 to 50 percent.
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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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