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Planting Zones: Texas Hardiness Map

Texas Hardiness Zones: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Texas Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The “Lone Star State” of Texas is known for year-round hot weather. Summer temperatures regularly hit over 90 degrees. In the west, the climate is arid or semi-arid, while eastern Texas has a hot, humid, subtropical climate. This area of Texas gets 60 inches of precipitation each year, the highest yearly rainfall across the state.

Winters in Texas are cool with little to no snowfall. Snow is rare in Texas. In the summer it is hot; the western portion of the state is rainy. Rain is inconsistent across the state. Some areas get only 8 inches per year, while others get up to 64 inches.

Despite the heat across much of the state, many fruits, vegetables, and plants will grow well in Texas. Local nurseries will be able to help choose the right plants for your hardiness zone.

Texas Planting Zone: A Quick Overview

  • The northern tip of Texas, north of Amarillo, is the coldest area of the state, in growing zone 6b. In the winter, temperatures can get as low as -5. The growing season in this region is shortest, but many plants grow very well in zone 6b. Amarillo itself is in growing zone 7a.
  • Alternatively, the most southern tip of the state is the hottest region, growing zone 9b and growing zone 10a.
  • Western Texas and along the Eastern border of New Mexico is primarily in zone 7.
  • Moving south the growing zones climb in chronological order, Dallas is in zone 8a and Austin is zone 8b.
  • Houston and San Antonio both reside in USDA subzone 9a although some of the areas surrounding San Antonio are in zone 8b.
  • Corpus Christi is in zone 9b and Brownsville falls into Texas’s hottest planting zone, 10a.
  • Keep in mind hardiness zone is not the only defining factor in a successful garden, other factors to consider include precipitation, soil quality, and micro-climates

Using The Texas Growing Zones Map

The plant hardiness zone map is intended for farmers and gardeners to use to gauge their growing season and plant hardiness for survival.

You can see the Texas hardiness zone above based on the 2012 USDA map data. To use the hardiness zone map, you begin by finding your location on the map. You can also look it up using your zip code. Then you compare the color of that section of the map with the legend, which will tell you your hardiness zone.

You can use this information to determine what plants can be grown in your area. It is important to remember that this is just a guideline.

Explore Our Complete US Hardiness Zone Map

Each yard has individual circumstances. It is necessary to consider micro-climates, precipitation, sunshine and frost dates.

Texas: Creating a Garden to Thrive in the Heat

When most people think of a Texas summer, they think of the heat. On top of that, much of the state is in an arid climate. Although the growing zone might be 7, suggesting it is a great growing region, it is important to consider those other factors. Soil quality and precipitation are important in growing a successful garden.

The professionals at Spring Creek Greenhouse suggest a wide selection of vegetables can be grown in Texas. You can plant corn, eggplant, tomatoes and beans and many more in the spring. Especially in the eastern subtropical climate, you can grow tropical plants such as succulents, orchids and ferns.

The Texas growing season is long, allowing you to grow a wide range of vegetables and plants. As long as you consider all of the other growth factors, you can create a very successful garden.

Trees to Plant in Texas

Photo of author

Fern Berg - Founder

Expert Gardener & Horticulturist in Training

Fern is an IARC certified horticulturist and has planted and currently cares for over 100 different native and exotic fruit, nut, and ornamental trees. She also cultivates an extensive vegetable garden, several flower gardens and cares for an ever-growing happy family of indoor plants. Fern has a special interest in biodynamic farming, food production and closed loop agriculture. Fern founded Tree Vitalize to help guide others with an interest in tree planting, identification and care.