What Grows in Austin, TX?
Austin has an excellent year-round growing climate with mild winters and hot summers.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Austin is in USDA Zone 8b with about 235 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, and more here.
Planting tips for Austin
Year-round potential. Hot summers — plant tomatoes Feb-April and September. Great herb gardens.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost February 20, first frost November 22.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens
Garlic
What grows well in Austin
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Basil
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Austin, TX in?
Austin, TX is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Austin?
The average last spring frost in Austin is around February 20, and the first fall frost is typically November 22. Plan to move tender plants outside after February 20 and have them harvested (or protected) before November 22.
What grows well in Austin?
Plenty — Austin's USDA Zone 8b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Austin's growing season?
Austin typically has around 235 frost-free days per year (roughly February 20 to November 22). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Austin?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Austin.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Austin?
Yes — Austin's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Austin?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around February 20), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.