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

Planting zone for 77496 — Sugar Land, TX

ZIP code 77496 (Sugar Land, Fort Bend County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 15 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 77496 is

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 15

First frostDec 6

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 Sugar Land, 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 Sugar Land, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 13

Growing season297 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 26 and returns around December 29.

From the NOAA station Thompsons 3 Wsw, TX — 8 miles away, elevation 69 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 77496

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 15) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 77496 came on Jan 11 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
Jan 11

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 9b in Texas

646 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Sugar Land, TX.

Soil in Sugar Land, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77496 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 77496; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sugar Land, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days122days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,313base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.1 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: Thompsons 3 Wsw, TX (8 mi away); precipitation: Richmond, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Sugar Land, TX · 8 mi

Sugar Land, TX · 10 mi

774989b

Sugar Land, TX · 10 mi

774079b

Richmond, TX · 10 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Sugar Land → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77496

What planting zone is ZIP code 77496?

ZIP code 77496 (Sugar Land, 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 Sugar Land, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77496 is February 15; after March 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Thompsons 3 Wsw station.

When is the first frost in Sugar Land, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77496 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 297 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77496?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 21 – Jan 4 and set transplants outside around Feb 22 – Mar 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77496 get?

About 51.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richmond station).

How hot do summers get in Sugar Land, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 122 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77496 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lake Charles at the center of ZIP 77496: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.1 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Sugar Land, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77496 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sugar Land, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77496 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77496 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77496 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.