Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77287
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 sits at the warm end of zone 9b with winter minimums around 25-30°F. The last spring frost arrives February 13 and the first fall frost doesn't appear until December 9, yielding a 300-day growing season. This extended warm period is ideal for heat-demanding crops like figs, pomegranates, okra, and sweet potatoes. However, Houston's real challenge is not frost but the combination of extreme summer heat (regularly exceeding 95°F, often hitting 100°F+) and high humidity. This humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases, particularly on traditional crops like tomatoes and apples that are better suited to drier climates. The heavy clay soil common in the Houston area further complicates water management and root health. Success in this zone depends less on frost protection and more on variety selection (choosing heat and disease-tolerant cultivars) and aggressive summer irrigation and disease management.
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 issues dominate Houston gardening. First, summer fungal diseases thrive in the combination of heat and humidity; powdery mildew, rust, and blight reduce yields and plant vigor from June through September on susceptible crops like tomatoes and cucurbits. Second, the heavy clay soil drains poorly and compacts easily, requiring substantial amendment with compost or mulch to maintain aeration and moisture infiltration. Third, even though frost dates are forgiving, the occasional freeze in November or March can still damage tender perennials like figs and pomegranates if they've flushed early during a warm spell.
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
Stagger tomato plantings: Sow seed in December or early January for a spring harvest before mid-June heat arrives, then replant in late July or early August to capture fall fruit before the December 9 frost. The narrow window between planting and peak summer heat makes traditional spring-only tomato growing difficult.
Embrace heat-loving perennials: Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries are far more reliable and lower-maintenance than temperate fruits. They produce abundantly in Houston's long, hot season.
Amend soil and mulch aggressively: Work 4-6 inches of compost into clay beds before planting. Maintain 3-4 inches of wood mulch around perennials and annual crops to regulate soil moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure over time.
Frequently asked questions
- What crops grow most reliably in Houston?
Figs, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries thrive in zone 9b heat. Sweet and hot peppers are also exceptionally reliable. These crops tolerate Houston's summer heat and humidity far better than traditional temperate fruits like apples.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant seed in December or early January for spring harvest before June heat, or replant in late July through August for fall production. Tomatoes struggle during Houston's peak summer (June-August) due to humidity-driven disease and heat stress that reduces fruit set.
- What's the biggest weather challenge for Houston gardeners?
Not frost, but summer humidity combined with heat. High humidity (often 70-85%) allows fungal diseases like powdery mildew, rust, and blight to spread rapidly. Managing these diseases through spacing for air circulation, soil-level watering, and resistant varieties is critical.
- Do peppers do better than tomatoes here?
Yes. Peppers tolerate Houston's summer heat and humidity significantly better and are less plagued by fungal disease. They flower and set fruit even at 95-100°F, whereas tomatoes drop flowers above 85°F.
- Is frost protection really needed?
Frost is rare (last frost February 13, first frost December 9), but occasional unexpected freezes in November or March can damage tender perennials if they've leafed out early during warm spells. Light frost cloth or mulching provides inexpensive insurance.
- How do I improve the clay soil?
Amend heavily with 4-6 inches of compost worked into the top 12 inches before planting. Maintain 3-4 inches of mulch to prevent soil crusting. Over multiple seasons, the organic matter will substantially improve drainage and structure.
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
+−
Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012960. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
Related