What Grows in Houston, TX?
Houston's subtropical climate near the Gulf has near year-round growing with hot humid summers.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Houston is in USDA Zone 9a with about 270 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, and more here.
Planting tips for Houston
Near year-round. Plant tomatoes Feb and September. Summer too hot for many crops — plant early.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost February 1, first frost November 25.
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, Mint
Garlic
What grows well in Houston
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
Basil
Grows well
Mint
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Houston, TX in?
Houston, TX is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Houston?
The average last spring frost in Houston is around February 1, and the first fall frost is typically November 25. Plan to move tender plants outside after February 1 and have them harvested (or protected) before November 25.
What grows well in Houston?
Plenty — Houston's USDA Zone 9a climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Houston's growing season?
Houston typically has around 270 frost-free days per year (roughly February 1 to November 25). 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 Houston?
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 Houston.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Houston?
Yes — Houston'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 Houston?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around February 1), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.