Houston, TX planting zone & frost dates
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 2 and the first fall frost around December 25, for a growing season of about 327 days.
Planting calendar for Houston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 2) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 8 – Dec 22 Transplant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 24 – Dec 8 Transplant outdoors: Feb 16 – Feb 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 24 – Dec 8 Transplant outdoors: Feb 16 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 24 – Dec 8 Transplant outdoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 24 – Dec 8 Transplant outdoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 Transplant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 30 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 25).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 31 | Feb 2 | Mar 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 21 | Dec 25 | Nov 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 23.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Houston
- 77001 zone 9b
- 77002 zone 9b
- 77003 zone 9b
- 77004 zone 9b
- 77005 zone 9b
- 77006 zone 9b
- 77007 zone 9b
- 77008 zone 9b
- 77009 zone 9b
- 77010 zone 9b
- 77011 zone 9b
- 77012 zone 9b
- 77013 zone 9b
- 77014 zone 9b
- 77015 zone 9b
- 77016 zone 9b
- 77017 zone 9b
- 77018 zone 9b
- 77019 zone 9b
- 77020 zone 9b
- 77021 zone 9b
- 77022 zone 9b
- 77023 zone 9b
- 77024 zone 9b
- 77025 zone 9b
- 77026 zone 9b
- 77027 zone 9b
- 77028 zone 9b
- 77029 zone 9b
- 77030 zone 9b
- 77031 zone 9b
- 77032 zone 9b
- 77033 zone 9b
- 77034 zone 9b
- 77035 zone 9b
- 77036 zone 9b
- 77037 zone 9b
- 77038 zone 9b
- 77039 zone 9b
- 77040 zone 9b
- 77041 zone 9b
- 77042 zone 9b
- 77043 zone 9b
- 77044 zone 9b
- 77045 zone 9b
- 77046 zone 9b
- 77047 zone 9b
- 77048 zone 9b
- 77049 zone 9b
- 77050 zone 9b
- 77051 zone 9b
- 77052 zone 9b
- 77053 zone 9b
- 77054 zone 9b
- 77055 zone 9b
- 77056 zone 9b
- 77057 zone 9b
- 77058 zone 9b
- 77059 zone 9b
- 77060 zone 9b
- 77061 zone 9b
- 77062 zone 9b
- 77063 zone 9b
- 77064 zone 9b
- 77065 zone 9b
- 77066 zone 9b
- 77067 zone 9b
- 77068 zone 9b
- 77069 zone 9b
- 77070 zone 9b
- 77071 zone 9b
- 77072 zone 9b
- 77073 zone 9b
- 77074 zone 9b
- 77075 zone 9b
- 77076 zone 9b
- 77077 zone 9b
- 77078 zone 9b
- 77079 zone 9b
- 77080 zone 9b
- 77081 zone 9b
- 77082 zone 9b
- 77083 zone 9b
- 77084 zone 9b
- 77085 zone 9b
- 77086 zone 9b
- 77087 zone 9b
- 77088 zone 9b
- 77089 zone 9b
- 77090 zone 9b
- 77091 zone 9b
- 77092 zone 9b
- 77093 zone 9b
- 77094 zone 9b
- 77095 zone 9b
- 77096 zone 9b
- 77098 zone 9b
- 77099 zone 9b
- 77201 zone 9b
- 77202 zone 9b
- 77203 zone 9b
- 77204 zone 9b
- 77205 zone 9b
- 77206 zone 9b
- 77207 zone 9b
- 77208 zone 9b
- 77209 zone 9b
- 77210 zone 9b
- 77212 zone 9b
- 77213 zone 9b
- 77215 zone 9b
- 77216 zone 9b
- 77217 zone 9b
- 77218 zone 9b
- 77219 zone 9b
- 77220 zone 9b
- 77221 zone 9b
- 77222 zone 9b
- 77223 zone 9b
- 77224 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- South Houston zone 9b, last frost Jan 30
- Pasadena zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Pearland zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Missouri City zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Fresno zone 9b, last frost Feb 15
- Stafford zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Deer Park zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Channelview zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
Questions
What growing zone is Houston, TX?
Houston is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Houston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Houston is February 2. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 9 – Feb 16. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Houston-Port, TX (USC00414326), 8.3 km (5.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 6 m, based on 14 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.