Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77262
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 a paradox: the region rarely experiences hard freezes, yet summer heat and humidity are the dominant growing constraints. With a last spring frost date of February 13 and a first fall frost not until December 9, the true growing season stretches 300 days. This extended calendar is Houston's greatest asset, but it requires inverting the planting logic of northern gardeners. Cool-season crops must be rushed through before sustained summer heat arrives, and heat-loving crops like figs, pomegranates, peppers, and tomatoes thrive when properly timed. Winter and early spring become productive seasons; mid-summer becomes a dormant period for many crops. The zone's mild minimums (25 to 30°F) mean freeze protection is rarely needed, but the challenge lies in matching varieties to the heat and humidity that characterize the Gulf Coast.
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
Houston's greatest threat to summer crops is intense heat. From June through September, high temperatures cause tomato blossom-end rot and prevent fruit set, even on heat-tolerant varieties. High humidity also creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot, particularly on squash, peppers, and cucurbits. A third challenge is the timing of the late spring freeze: while February 13 is comparatively late, sudden cold snaps after early planting can damage warm-season transplants. Gardeners who plant in late January or early February risk losing weeks of growth to a late freeze.
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 warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) immediately after the February 13 frost date to allow them to set fruit and mature before the June heat wave. Plan for a second crop in late July or early August, which will mature through fall's milder weather. For cool-season crops like broccoli, cabbage, and lettuce, time sowings to finish before June heat. Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons are reliable Houston choices that tolerate the heat and humidity without constant attention; these woody crops reward a zone-appropriate approach over fighting the climate.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the easiest crops to grow in zone 9b Houston?
Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and Asian persimmons are exceptionally reliable and thrive in Houston's heat and humidity. Tomatoes and peppers do well when planted at the right time and variety. These crops align with the region's climate rather than fighting it.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomato transplants immediately after the February 13 frost date for a spring harvest before June heat arrives. For a fall crop, plant seeds in late July or early August so plants mature in the cooler months of October and November.
- What's the biggest weather risk in Houston gardening?
Summer heat is the dominant threat. High temperatures from June through September prevent fruit set on tomatoes and stress other heat-sensitive crops. Plan varieties and planting times around this window rather than against it.
- Can I garden year-round in Houston?
Effectively, yes. The 300-day growing season and mild winters allow cool-season crops to thrive from October through April. Summer is a dormant or low-productivity period for many crops, but heat-tolerant perennials like figs and pomegranates produce year-round.
- What should I do about fungal diseases from humidity?
Choose disease-resistant varieties when available, ensure good air circulation by spacing plants adequately, and water at the base to keep foliage dry. Some gardeners apply sulfur or neem in early morning hours during humid seasons to prevent powdery mildew.
- Is frost protection necessary in zone 9b Houston?
Freezes below 25°F are rare, so frost cloth is rarely needed. The bigger risk is an unexpected cold snap in late January or early February that damages warm-season transplants planted too early before the February 13 frost date.
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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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