December Landscaping Checklist for Houston Homeowners: Your Complete Guide to Zone 9 Yard Maintenance

December in Houston and Sugar Land brings cooler temperatures and the perfect opportunity to prepare your landscape for the months ahead. While our mild Zone 9a/9b climate means we don't face the harsh winters of northern states, there are still essential tasks that will keep your yard healthy and beautiful through winter and set you up for a stunning spring.

What to Plant in December in Houston

December is actually one of the best planting months in the Houston area. The cooler weather reduces transplant shock, and plants have time to establish roots before the summer heat arrives.

Trees and Shrubs for December Planting

Now is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs in your Sugar Land or Houston landscape. The dormant season allows roots to establish without the stress of supporting active growth. Consider these excellent choices:

Freeze-Proof Shrubs for Houston:

• Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower) - evergreen with stunning purple or burgundy foliage

• Dwarf Yaupon Holly - native, drought-tolerant once established

• Possumhaw Holly - deciduous with brilliant red berries in winter

• Indian Hawthorn - compact growth with spring blooms

• Texas Sage - extremely drought-tolerant native option

Privacy Trees That Thrive in Sugar Land:

• Wax Myrtle - fast-growing native evergreen

• Eagleston Holly - pyramidal shape, ideal for screening

• Nellie R Stevens Holly - classic choice with red berries

• Foster Holly - columnar growth pattern

Cool-Season Color for Immediate Impact

Add vibrant color to your Houston landscape with winter annuals and perennials that thrive in our Zone 9 climate:

• Snapdragons - handle light freezes beautifully

• Pansies and Violas - bloom continuously through winter

• Dianthus - fragrant flowers in pink, red, and white

• Ornamental Kale and Cabbage - striking foliage for texture

• Dusty Miller - silvery foliage adds contrast

These cool-season plants will provide color from now through April, filling the gap before your summer perennials return.

Essential Pruning Tasks for December

December pruning in Houston requires a strategic approach. Some plants benefit from winter pruning, while others should wait until spring.

What to Prune Now

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: With leaves dropped, you can clearly see the branch structure. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. This is an excellent time for structural pruning of:

• Crape Myrtles (avoid "crape murder" - only remove thin, spindly growth)

• Fruit trees

• Deciduous ornamental trees

Perennials: Cut back dead foliage on summer perennials like esperanza, Mexican petunia, and salvia. Leave about 4-6 inches of stem above ground level.

Roses: Late December is perfect for pruning roses in Houston. Cut back by about one-third and remove any dead or diseased canes.

What NOT to Prune in December

Avoid pruning spring-blooming shrubs like azaleas, camellias, and spirea. These plants set their flower buds in fall, and winter pruning will eliminate spring blooms. Wait until immediately after they flower in spring.

Protecting Your Houston Landscape from Freeze Damage

While Houston's winters are generally mild, we've learned from events like the 2021 freeze that preparation matters. Protecting your landscape investment is crucial for Sugar Land and Houston homeowners.

Plants That Need Protection

Tropical and Semi-Tropical Plants:

• Hibiscus

• Bougainvillea

• Ixora

• Plumeria

• Bird of Paradise

• Citrus trees

When temperatures are forecasted to drop below 32°F, cover these plants with frost cloth, old sheets, or blankets. Remove coverings once temperatures rise above freezing during the day.

Freeze-Proof Options

If you're tired of covering plants every winter, consider replacing tender tropicals with cold-hardy alternatives. The shrubs mentioned in the planting section above all survived the 2021 freeze and will handle typical Houston winters without protection.

Pre-Freeze Watering

Water your landscape thoroughly before a freeze event. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil and provides better protection for root systems. This simple step can make the difference between plant survival and loss during a hard freeze.

Winterizing Your Irrigation System

December is the time to prepare your irrigation system for potential freezes and reduce water usage during the cooler, wetter months.

Adjust Your Controller

Reduce watering frequency significantly in December. Most Houston landscapes need watering only once every 10-14 days during winter, if at all. Monitor rainfall and adjust accordingly. Overwatering in winter leads to fungal diseases, especially in St. Augustine lawns.

Protect Backflow Preventers

Insulate exposed backflow prevention devices with foam covers available at local hardware stores. These above-ground components are vulnerable to freeze damage and expensive to replace.

Inspect for Leaks

With reduced water usage, December is an ideal time to inspect your system for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and coverage issues. Making repairs now prevents water waste and ensures your system is ready for spring.

Mulching Your Landscape Beds

Fresh mulch in December provides multiple benefits for your Sugar Land landscape: weed suppression, moisture retention, soil temperature moderation, and improved curb appeal.

Best Mulch Options for Houston

Native Hardwood Mulch: Decomposes slowly and enriches soil as it breaks down. Excellent for most landscape beds.

Pine Bark Mulch: Slightly acidic, making it ideal around azaleas, camellias, and other acid-loving plants.

Cedar Mulch: Natural pest-deterrent properties and attractive reddish color.

Proper Mulching Technique

Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants, keeping it several inches away from tree trunks and plant stems. Mulch piled against stems creates moisture problems and can lead to rot. Refresh mulch annually to maintain depth and appearance.

December Lawn Care for Houston Grass

St. Augustine grass, the dominant lawn type in Houston and Sugar Land, is entering dormancy in December. Your lawn care routine should shift accordingly.

Final Mowing

Continue mowing as needed, but raise your mower height to 3-4 inches. Taller grass protects roots during cold snaps and looks better when semi-dormant.

Pre-Emergent Application Timing

Late December through January is the ideal window for pre-emergent herbicide application in Houston. This prevents spring weeds like crabgrass, dallisgrass, and spurge from germinating when temperatures warm up.

Address Brown Patch Fungus

Brown patch is common in St. Augustine lawns during Houston's cool, wet winters. Look for circular brown patches with darker rings. Improve drainage, reduce irrigation, and avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers until spring. Fungicides are available if needed, but cultural practices often resolve the issue.

Soil Preparation for Spring

December is an excellent time to improve your Houston clay soil for spring planting success.

Soil Testing

Consider getting a soil test through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Testing costs around $20 and provides valuable information about pH and nutrient levels. This data helps you make informed decisions about amendments.

Adding Compost

Spread 1-2 inches of quality compost over beds and work it into the top few inches of soil. Houston's heavy clay soil benefits tremendously from organic matter, improving drainage and nutrient availability.

Expanding Landscape Beds

If you're planning to enlarge beds or create new planting areas, December's cooler weather makes the physical work more pleasant. Prepare beds now and they'll be ready for spring planting.

Pest and Disease Management

December brings relief from most Houston landscape pests, but remain vigilant for a few winter issues.

Scale Insects

Check shrubs and trees for scale insects, which appear as small bumps on stems and leaves. Horticultural oil applications are effective during dormancy and won't harm beneficial insects.

Fungal Diseases

Monitor for fungal issues on camellias, roses, and lawns. Proper spacing for air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and removing fallen leaves helps prevent disease problems.

Planning for 2025

Use December's slower pace to plan landscape improvements for the coming year.

Sketch Your Dream Landscape

Walk your property and note areas that need improvement. Consider privacy screening, curb appeal enhancements, or low-maintenance native plant conversions.

Budget for Spring Projects

Whether you're planning DIY improvements or hiring professional help, December is the time to budget and schedule. Spring is the busiest season for Sugar Land landscaping companies, so early planning ensures availability.

Research Plants and Materials

Browse local nurseries to see what's available. Houston-area nurseries stock up on trees and shrubs during winter, giving you the best selection for spring planting.

Your December Action Plan

Week 1-2:

• Plant trees, shrubs, and cool-season color

• Apply fresh mulch to landscape beds

• Adjust irrigation controller for winter watering

Week 3:

• Prune deciduous trees and dormant perennials

• Inspect irrigation system and make repairs

• Clean and organize garden tools

Week 4:

• Monitor weather for freeze protection needs

• Apply pre-emergent to lawn (late December)

• Plan 2025 landscape projects

Why December Matters for Your Houston Landscape

Taking care of these December tasks sets your Sugar Land or Houston landscape up for success. Trees and shrubs planted now establish strong root systems before summer heat. Proper freeze protection saves expensive plants. Pre-emergent applications prevent months of weed battles. Fresh mulch suppresses winter weeds and enhances curb appeal during the holiday season.

December landscaping in Zone 9 isn't about putting your yard to bed for winter - it's about capitalizing on ideal planting conditions and preparing for another beautiful growing season ahead.

About the Author: Todd Farber, Houston Landscaping Expert

Todd Farber is a Houston native and Texas A&M-trained Horticulturist who has been transforming residential landscapes throughout Sugar Land and Fort Bend County since 1991. As owner of Garden Guy, Todd brings over 30 years of hands-on experience helping homeowners solve common plant problems, design beautiful outdoor spaces, and select the right trees and shrubs for Houston's unique Zone 9 climate.

Together with his wife Sabrina, Todd has built Garden Guy into one of Houston's most trusted residential landscaping companies. Based in First Colony, they've been honored as Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorites since 2021 for their personalized service, expert plant knowledge, and commitment to treating every yard like their own.

Need help with your Houston or Sugar Land landscape? Call or text Todd at 281-208-4400 or email hello@garden-guy.com. Visit askgardenguy.com for more Houston gardening tips and answers to your plant questions.

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