Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77238
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 offers an exceptionally long growing season of roughly 300 days, spanning from mid-February through early December. Winter freezes are infrequent and brief; temperatures rarely fall below 25-30°F, so cold hardiness is rarely the limiting factor. The more immediate constraints are summer heat intensity and humidity. Houston's subtropical summers push many cool-season crops (lettuce, brassicas, peas) into a narrow planting window in fall and winter, when they thrive. Heat-loving perennials like figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes are ideal; they require little chilling and perform well through Houston's long warm season. Tomatoes and peppers can be planted as early as late February and again in August for a fall crop. The main challenge is managing disease pressure during humid summers; many fungal diseases accelerate in Houston's climate. The Feb 13 last spring frost date allows very early planting of warm-season crops, but growers should watch for occasional late freezes that catch tender new growth.
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 combination of Houston's summer heat and humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases, particularly powdery mildew on squash and melons, and various leaf spots on peppers and tomatoes. Spring freezes, while rare, are the second major hazard; the Feb 13 last spring frost date means tender perennials and newly sprouted crops can be caught by unexpected cold snaps in late February or early March. Growers tempted by warm February days often plant too early and lose blossoms, tender shoots, or young transplants. Finally, water management during the long summer is critical. The intense heat and humidity deplete soil moisture quickly, and inconsistent irrigation leads to cracking in tomatoes and blossom-end rot in peppers. Many Houston gardeners struggle to maintain consistent moisture without overwatering, which encourages more fungal pressure.
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
First, prioritize disease-resistant and heat-tolerant varieties. Cherry tomatoes generally outperform paste varieties in Houston's heat and humidity. For peppers, choose varieties bred for hot climates. Second, treat February as the start of the warm season, but delay frost-sensitive crops (basil, squash, beans) until March for safety margin. Third, leverage the 300-day growing season with succession plantings. Tomatoes and peppers planted late February remain productive through November; an August planting yields a fall crop before Dec 9. Cool-season crops (lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli) thrive September through March, filling the spring-summer gap when warm-season crops struggle.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops for a home gardener starting out in Houston?
Heat-loving perennials like figs, Asian persimmons, jujubes, and pomegranates thrive in zone 9b's warm winters. For vegetables, focus on heat-tolerant varieties: peppers, sweet potatoes, okra, and goji berries. In fall and winter (September through March), cool-season crops like kale, spinach, lettuce, and broccoli flourish.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Tomatoes can go in the ground as early as late February, taking advantage of the Feb 13 last spring frost date. However, watch for late freezes through early March and protect tender young plants if frost threatens. A second planting in mid-August yields a productive fall crop before the Dec 9 first frost.
- What's the single biggest gardening challenge in Houston?
Summer heat and humidity create perfect conditions for fungal diseases (powdery mildew on squash and melons, leaf spots on peppers and tomatoes). Select disease-resistant varieties, ensure good air circulation through pruning, and maintain consistent irrigation to prevent stress-induced susceptibility.
- Can I grow vegetables all year in Houston?
Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) dominate February through July, then again August through November. Cool-season crops (lettuce, spinach, brassicas, peas) thrive September through April. The 300-day season allows strategic rotation between them.
- Why do my tomatoes develop blossom-end rot?
Blossom-end rot results from inconsistent watering, not calcium deficiency in the soil. Houston's intense heat causes rapid water loss; maintain deep, consistent watering during fruit-set and use mulch to stabilize soil moisture.
- Is it safe to plant in early February, or should I wait until after Feb 13?
The Feb 13 date is statistically likely, not a guarantee; late freezes occur occasionally. Delay frost-sensitive crops (basil, squash) until mid-March to avoid losses. Early crops like peas can go mid-February with frost cloth as backup.
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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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