Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77291
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 gardening calendar flips the script for many North American growers. A 300-day frost-free window combined with mild winter minimums (zone 9b: 25 to 30°F) extends the growing season dramatically. The last spring frost arrives as late as February 13, and the first fall frost doesn't settle until December 9 (NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020). This means the principal constraint is not cold but heat and humidity.
Tropical and subtropical crops that struggle in cooler zones thrive here: figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries fruit reliably without protected microclimates. Traditional temperate crops like apples and peaches require more management; late February frosts can still damage early-blooming buds, and summer heat stress (100°F+ temperatures) causes bolting, sunscald, and blossom-end rot in susceptible varieties.
The dominant gardening rhythm follows heat, not frost. Spring (February through May) is the prime planting window. Summer (June through August) is survival mode for cool-season crops. Fall (September through November) opens a second planting season for cool-season crops that escape peak summer heat. Winter is mild but lacks the chill hours that cold-climate crops demand.
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
Summer heat and humidity outrank frost as the limiting factor. Temperatures above 95°F cause tomatoes and peppers to drop blossoms. Powdery mildew and root rot thrive in the moisture-rich air, affecting vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit trees alike. The low winter-chill average (zone 9b, 25 to 30°F) means chill-demanding crops like some apple and peach varieties simply won't set fruit, even though winter freezes are rare enough that trees survive.
A secondary timing trap: late spring frost on February 13 coincides with the impulse to plant early. Tender crops started indoors in January often encounter frost damage. Hurricane season (August through October) brings wind and storm surge damage to both vegetables and young trees, particularly near coastal areas.
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 spring crops in mid-February, immediately after the last frost. Tomatoes, peppers, and squash planted February 15 through March mature before peak July heat; succession planting at two-week intervals through April extends the harvest window. Use heat-tolerant varieties: 'Surefire' and 'Phoenix' tomatoes, 'Fooled You' pepper, and okra all produce through summer when typical varieties drop flowers.
Employ shade cloth (30 to 50 percent shade) over vegetables June through August. East-facing beds receive morning sun and afternoon shade, reducing heat stress on leaf tissues. A second planting window opens in late August: cool-season crops (brassicas, lettuce, spinach, carrots) sown September through November mature in the mild fall and early winter, avoiding summer heat entirely.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best time to plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant transplants mid-February through mid-March. The last frost arrives February 13, so plants have a 4 to 5 month window before summer heat causes blossom drop (typically mid-July). Select heat-tolerant varieties like 'Surefire' or 'Phoenix' for season-long production.
- Which fruit trees grow best in zone 9b Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries fruit without extraordinary care. Traditional apples and peaches require low-chill varieties and are finicky. Citrus (limes, lemons, some oranges) succeeds in the warmth but is vulnerable to rare hard freezes below 25°F.
- How do I protect plants from the February frost?
The February 13 frost arrives late enough that tender transplants started indoors are often already in the ground. Keep frost cloth or row covers handy for unexpected cold snaps. Delay planting heat-lovers (okra, basil, sweet potato) until mid-March to avoid frost damage.
- What grows in Houston's summer?
Heat-adapted crops: okra, yard-long beans, sweet potato, Armenian cucumber, and eggplant produce reliably. Most traditional vegetables bolt or drop flowers above 95°F. Use 30 to 50 percent shade cloth and choose heat-tolerant tomato and pepper varieties to extend summer production.
- When should I plant cool-season crops?
Late August through October. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, and spinach sown in September thrive in the mild fall and early winter, maturing before spring warmth triggers bolting. This avoids the heat stress that summer plantings face.
- Is the 300-day growing season as valuable as it sounds?
Yes and no. The length is real, but summer heat compresses production into spring (February to May) and fall/winter (September to January). True year-round gardening requires switching crops seasonally, not planting the same crops and harvesting all year.
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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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