Stop Planting Your Plants Too Deep — Here’s the Right Way (Houston Edition)

Most Houston homeowners plant incorrectly — fix it in 5 steps. Learn how wide to dig, how deep to plant, how to loosen roots, and how to water so plants thrive.

Garden Guy’s Quick Planting Guide (Houston Zone 9a)
Follow these steps whether you're planting perennials, shrubs, or flowers.

1️⃣ Measure the Pot
Use the nursery pot size as your guide for digging.

2️⃣ Dig the Hole Twice as Wide
If the pot is 4 inches wide, dig an 8-inch-wide hole.
➡️ This gives roots space to grow — tight holes stunt growth.

3️⃣ Match the Depth
The plant should sit at the same depth it was growing in the pot.

⚠️ Don’t bury the crown.
You should still see the top of the root flare after planting.

4️⃣ Loosen the Roots
Gently tease or break up circling roots before planting to prevent girdling and encourage outward growth.

5️⃣ Backfill with Quality Soil
Avoid packing hard clay around the plant. Use loosened native soil + organic compost if needed.

6️⃣ Water Deeply
After planting, water until soil is fully soaked. Repeat as needed depending on weather.

That’s it. Simple. Smart. Done. 🌿

I’ve added for free below my absolute favorite perennials for our area. I hope you use this list to help your home landscaping become more beautiful! - Todd

🌸 Top Performing Perennials for Houston (Todd’s Picks)

These plants have been tested in real Houston landscapes through drought years, freeze years, and everything in between.

⭐ Texas Sage

Leucophyllum frutescens
Perfect for: structure, low-water landscapes, hedges

• Thrives in full sun

• Needs well-drained soil

• Deer-resistant

• Purple blooms after humidity changes (your built-in weather forecaster)

⭐ Lantana

Perfect for: bright long-lasting color

• Heat-proof, pollinator magnet

• Blooms spring ➜ frost

• Loves full sun

• Comes in yellow, purple, and multi-color

⭐ Salvias

Perfect for: color + wildlife

• Comes in purple, red, coral, and pink

• Attracts butterflies + hummingbirds

• Minimal watering once established

• Blooms heavily with deadheading

⭐ Bat-Face Cuphea

Perfect for: whimsical color + pollinators

• Flowers look like tiny bats

• Heat tolerant and forgiving

• Full sun to part sun

⭐ Drift Roses

Perfect for: constant color without the fuss

• Compact, low-growing roses

• Repeat blooms nearly all year

• Disease resistant

• Best in full sun

⭐ Esperanza (Yellow Bells)

Tecoma stans
Perfect for: big color and low watering

• Blooms until frost

• Handles heat beautifully

• May return after freezes (don’t dig up early!)

⭐ Gulf Coast Muhly Grass

Perfect for: texture and late-season interest

• Pink cotton-candy plumes in fall

• Loves full sun and well-drained soil

• Hardy and low maintenance

🌿 Shrub Perennials That Anchor a Houston Yard

These make your yard look established and lush — year-round.

✔ Loropetalum
✔ Yaupon Holly
✔ Cleyera
✔ Sunshine Ligustrum
✔ Bottlebrush
✔ Indian Hawthorn
✔ Nandina (dwarf varieties)

These are strong backbone plants: reliable, evergreen, and freeze-resilient.

🌼 Flowers That Return Every Year in Houston

Great for bed color, borders, and cottage-style gardens.

• Society Garlic

• Verbena

• Zinnia

• Gaillardia

• Angelonia

• Purple Coneflower

• Moss Verbena

• Vinca

• Black-Eyed Susan

• Dianthus

• Alyssum

• Daylilies

• Turk’s Cap

These thrive in Houston heat and come back stronger each year.

🌱 Accent + Texture Plants That Bring Design Together

• Foxtail Fern

• Yucca

• Dianella

• Aztec Grass

• Giant Liriope

• Butterfly Iris

These add structure, contrast, and rhythm.

🌳 Best Trees for Houston Yards

If you’re planning bigger long-term shade or structure, Todd recommends:

• Live Oak

• Crape Myrtle

• Vitex

• Japanese Yew

• Red Bud

• Mexican Sycamore

• Drummond Red Maple

• Little Gem Magnolia

• Eagleston Holly

These trees tolerate our weather swings and clay soil — and stay beautiful.

💦 Houston Watering & Soil Tips

To help these thrive:

• Mulch with shredded hardwood, not dyed mulches.

• Water deeply but infrequently

• Fix drainage before planting

• Use compost — NOT sand — to amend clay

Houston plants don’t need more water.
They need better soil and smarter planting.

📍 Want Help Choosing Plants for Your Yard?

Every yard has different:

• Shade patterns

• Drainage issues

• HOA rules

• Soil behavior

• Watering habits

If you want a personalized planting plan —
you can now:

👉 Book a virtual or in-person consultation online.
(Take photos, we’ll walk through solutions.)

Book here: https://www.askgardenguy.com/book

📥 Download This Guide as a Printable PDF

Want this list saved to your phone or printed for nursery shopping?

Download the PDF version + bonus “Houston Planting Planner” worksheet.

📌 Includes:

• Plant list

• Sun requirements

• Watering notes

• Freeze care reminders

• Todd’s top 12 “Beginner-Proof Picks”

👉 Enter your email to get it instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Perennials

• 👉 What perennials grow best in Houston?

  Answer:
  Texas sage, lantana, salvias, Gulf Coast muhly grass, drift roses, loropetalum, and Esperanza are consistently reliable performers.

• 👉 When is the best time to plant perennials in Houston?

  Answer:
  Fall and early spring give the best root establishment before summer heat.

• 👉 Do perennials survive Houston freezes?

  Answer:
  Most do — some go dormant. Avoid removing anything until spring shows new growth.

  Still unsure what will thrive in your yard?

  👉 Book a virtual or in-person plant selection consult here.

Thank you for stopping by today! Todd and I hope this information is helpful to you and to your home.

-Sabrina Farber