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

Planting zone for Willis, TX

Willis, TX is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost December 2.

Willis on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostFeb 24

First frostDec 2

Growing season285 days

9a 2 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 Willis, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 2median — 10% chance by Nov 11

Growing season285 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 2 and returns around December 23.

From the NOAA station Conroe, TX, elevation 246 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 Willis

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 7 – Oct 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 18 – Dec 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 24) and first fall frost (Dec 2) 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 77378 came on Jan 15 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 15

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).

Native plants for zone 9a in Texas

640 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Willis, TX.

Soil in Willis, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77378 is Conroe — loamy fine sand, moderately well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Conroe loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 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 77378; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Willis, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days108days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights27nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,776base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.6 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: Conroe Montgomery Co. Airport, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Conroe Montgomery Co. Airport, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Willis

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Willis

What planting zone is Willis, TX?

Willis, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Willis, TX?

The median last spring frost is February 24 and the median first fall frost is December 2 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Conroe station).

When can I plant a garden in Willis, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 13 – Feb 3; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 3, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Willis, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Willis, TX get?

About 47.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).