Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Houston, TX

Houston, TX is in USDA zone 9b across its 178 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost December 9.

Houston on the zone map

Outlined: its 97 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes178

Last frostFeb 13

First frostDec 9

Growing season300 days

9b 178 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Houston, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostFebruary 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 9median — 10% chance by Nov 17

Growing season300 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around January 2.

From the NOAA station Houston Intercont Airport, TX, elevation 95 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Houston

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 14 – Oct 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 25 – Dec 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 13) and first fall frost (Dec 9) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 77008 came on Jan 10 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
Jan 10

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Houston, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77008 is Clodine — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.32%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clodine-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 77008; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Houston, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights5nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,687base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation60.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Houston-Port, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Houston Hts, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.