When to plant lettuce in Houston

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Houston's frost dates of Jan 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 29 – Jan 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 25 – Jan 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 8 – Feb 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 5 – Sep 19
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 27 – Nov 11
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Houston's 317-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Houston's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN 26
DEC 9

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Houston?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 29–Jan 19) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Houston?

Expect to harvest from around early February (Feb 8–Feb 23) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Houston?

Start seeds indoors around late December (Dec 29–Jan 19) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Houston?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Houston?

Yes — Houston supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early September (Sep 5–Sep 19), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Houston?

Houston has roughly 317 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow lettuce to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow lettuce as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Houston's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.