Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77292
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/30 through 12/28 (~330 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/30
- First fall frost
- 12/28
- Growing season
- 330 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 occupies the favorable edge of zone 9b, with a frost-free growing season of 330 days spanning from late January through late December. This extended window is one of the longest in the continental US, permitting nearly year-round gardening and simultaneous cultivation of heat-loving perennials and succession-planted cool-season crops. Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries all thrive in Houston's warm winters and hot summers, crops that struggle or fail in colder zones. Summer heat is Houston's defining feature and its main limitation. Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 95°F from June through September, creating a harsh environment for many traditional vegetable varieties and some fruit crops. The high humidity during these months amplifies fungal disease pressure. Successful Houston gardeners embrace heat-loving specialty crops rather than struggling against the climate, and they time cool-season crops to exploit the long spring and fall shoulder seasons.
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
Heat stress during summer peaks (June to September) restricts many common vegetable varieties unless selected specifically for heat tolerance. Standard tomato and pepper types often fail to set fruit when nighttime temperatures remain above 75°F. Fungal diseases thrive in Houston's summer humidity; powdery mildew, black spot, and leaf-spot fungi are persistent threats to roses, cucurbits, and other susceptible crops. Late winter freezes, particularly in February when warm spells trigger new growth, can kill tender subtropical plants like avocados, bananas, or grafted stone fruits if unprotected. Soil amendments are often necessary because Houston-area soils tend slightly alkaline and can develop compaction; drainage issues are common in clay-heavy lots.
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
Select heat-tolerant varieties. Figs, persimmons, and pomegranates thrive in Houston, while standard heirloom tomatoes often struggle without protection during summer's extreme heat. Heat-sensitive crops benefit from heavy mulching (3 to 4 inches) and afternoon shade cloth (30 to 50 percent). Time tomato plantings strategically: plant in late January or early February (the last frost arrives January 30) for a spring harvest before June heat peaks, then again in late July or August for a fall crop. Finally, defer pruning of frost-sensitive perennials like figs and pomegranates until after January 30, since warm spells often trigger new growth that late-winter cold snaps can kill.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit crops to grow in Houston?
Figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, jujubes, and goji berries all thrive in zone 9b heat. These crops handle Houston summers better than many temperate fruit trees and reward gardeners with reliable harvests. Tropical fruits like avocados and bananas are borderline; they survive most winters but can be killed by occasional hard freezes.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant tomatoes in late January or early February to harvest before the peak summer heat arrives in June. Heat-tolerant varieties specifically selected for hot climates fare better in midsummer; standard heirlooms often stop setting fruit when nighttime temperatures exceed 75°F. A second planting in late July can produce a fall harvest.
- What's the biggest weather risk in Houston?
Late winter freezes. Warm spells in January or February trigger new growth on subtropical plants, which is then killed if temperatures drop to the zone minimum (25°F). Time major pruning of frost-sensitive perennials after January 30 to avoid promoting vulnerable growth.
- How do I manage fungal diseases in Houston's humidity?
Space plants generously for air circulation, water at soil level (not foliage), remove dead leaves promptly, and consider sulfur or neem sprays in early summer before pressure peaks. Powdery mildew and black spot are especially persistent in humid years. Variety selection matters; some cultivars are notably resistant.
- Can I grow peppers successfully in Houston?
Yes, but heat-tolerance matters. Sweet peppers struggle during peak summer (June-August) unless shaded and heavily mulched. Hot peppers and long-season pepper types perform better in full Houston heat. Plant in early spring or late summer to avoid extreme midsummer temperatures.
- How long is the frost-free growing season in Houston?
The last spring frost typically occurs around January 30, and the first fall frost arrives around December 28, yielding a 330-day frost-free window. This is one of the longest in the United States, allowing simultaneous cultivation of cool-season and warm-season crops across most of the year.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012918. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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