Local planting guide · Mountain West
zip 89119
Las Vegas is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/20 through 12/15 (~333 days). This zip falls within the Mountain West growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/20
- First fall frost
- 12/15
- Growing season
- 333 days
- Compatible crops
- 37
- Growing region
- Mountain West
Right now in Las Vegas
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Las Vegas
Las Vegas sits in zone 9b with an extraordinarily long growing season of 333 days, running from late January through mid-December. Winter lows rarely drop below 25-30°F, making this one of the longest frost-free windows in the continental United States. This climate advantage is offset by one dominant constraint: extreme summer heat paired with arid air and intense UV radiation. Daytime temperatures routinely exceed 105°F from June through August, with low humidity and intense solar radiation that stress plants not acclimated to desert conditions. The late spring frost date of January 20 delays spring planting and risks damage to tender growth emerging in December and early January. Fig, persimmon, pomegranate, jujube, and goji berry thrive here because they tolerate or prefer the heat and dry conditions. Tomatoes and peppers perform exceptionally well during spring and fall, though summer heat can reduce fruit set during peak season.
Regional context · Mountain West
What the Mountain West brings to Las Vegas
High elevation, dry air, intense sun, big diurnal swings. Short cool growing season at altitude; longer hot one in valleys. Strong fruit production in irrigated river corridors.
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 Las Vegas
Three constraints define Las Vegas gardening. First, extreme summer heat (regularly over 105°F) stresses most plant varieties bred for cooler climates. Tomato pollen becomes sterile above 90-95°F nighttime temperature, resulting in dropped flowers and poor fruit set even with adequate irrigation. Second, the desert's intense solar radiation and low humidity create ideal conditions for spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies, which reproduce rapidly in the heat and can devastate susceptible crops if unmonitored. Third, alkaline desert soil (typically pH 7.5-8.5) locks up micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese, causing chlorosis in sensitive crops. The late spring frost window extending to January 20 also catches early bloomers; tender new growth on newly emerged shrubs can suffer frost damage in late December and early January.
Crops that grow in Las Vegas
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 Las Vegas
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Las Vegas's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Las Vegas, NV (zone 9b)
Quiet week in Las Vegas, NV (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 Las Vegas
Time vegetable plantings to avoid peak summer heat. Plant tomatoes and peppers between mid-February and March so they fruit before June heat sterilizes pollen; then plant a second crop in August for fall harvest as temperatures cool in September-October. This two-season approach yields far more reliable harvests than attempting summer production. Use shade cloth (30-50%) during May through September on heat-sensitive crops like lettuce, spinach, and some pepper varieties. This extends the growing window and prevents sun scald on fruit. Invest in drip irrigation on soil moisture sensors for the most efficient water use. The desert's low humidity means surface water evaporates rapidly, and frequent shallow watering promotes salt accumulation in alkaline soil. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper root systems and reduces nutrient leaching.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does Las Vegas have such a long growing season?
Zone 9b's mild winter temperatures (25-30°F lows) rarely produce lethal frost. The late spring frost date of January 20 extends frost risk into winter, but once that date passes, the growing season stretches uninterrupted for 333 days until mid-December. This is among the longest frost-free periods in the continental United States.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Las Vegas?
Plant tomatoes in mid-February to March to mature before June heat arrives. Tomato pollen becomes sterile when nighttime temperatures exceed 90-95°F, causing flower drop. Plant a second crop in August for fall harvest as temperatures cool in September-October, effectively creating two distinct growing seasons.
- How do I manage the extreme summer heat?
Use 30-50% shade cloth from May through September on heat-sensitive crops. Set up drip irrigation on soil moisture sensors to deliver deep, infrequent watering that strengthens root systems and prevents salt accumulation in alkaline soil. Choose heat-adapted crops like figs, persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes.
- What's the biggest weather risk in Las Vegas?
The late spring frost date of January 20 means frost persists until mid-January, risking damage to tender growth emerging in December and early January. Protect frost-sensitive plants through this window and delay tender plantings until late January. The opposite risk is summer heat stress above 105°F.
- What crops grow best in Las Vegas?
Fig, Asian persimmon, pomegranate, jujube, and goji berry excel as perennials adapted to heat and drought. For annuals, tomatoes and peppers thrive in spring (February to March) and fall (August to October). Cool-season crops like lettuce and spinach require shade cloth to survive the summer heat.
- Why do plants look yellowed despite adequate watering?
Alkaline desert soil (pH 7.5-8.5) locks up micronutrients like iron and zinc, causing chlorosis. Amend soil with sulfur or apply chelated iron foliar sprays. Mulch heavily to reduce salt accumulation from irrigation water and gradually lower soil pH over time.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00023169. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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