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

Planting zone for 77072 — Houston, TX

ZIP code 77072 (Houston, Harris County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 77072 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 2

First frostDec 11

2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Houston, TX…

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 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 20

Growing season318 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Houston Sugarland Mem, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 82 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 77072

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 11) 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 77072 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 77072 is Lake Charles — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.1neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lake Charles clay, 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 77072; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Houston, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,845base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 03 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

Precipitation55.4 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 Sugarland Mem, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Houston-Westbury, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

All 178 ZIP codes in Houston → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77072

What planting zone is ZIP code 77072?

ZIP code 77072 (Houston, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Houston, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77072 is February 2; after March 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houston Sugarland Mem station.

When is the first frost in Houston, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77072 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 318 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77072?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 8 – Dec 22 and set transplants outside around Feb 9 – Feb 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77072 get?

About 55.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houston-Westbury station).

How hot do summers get in Houston, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 112 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77072 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lake Charles at the center of ZIP 77072: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.1 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Houston, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77072 came on Jan 10 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Houston, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77072 is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77072 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77072 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.