16 Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers to Grow in Extremely Hot Climates

The heat of July and August in Texas can be debilitating and can leave your garden looking barren and lifeless.  For some plants the only option you are left with at this point is to give in to the heat and start over again when the temperatures fall back into a reasonable range.  If you want to keep a productive garden over an extremely hot summer you will want to choose plants that thrive in heat and humidity.  This guide will provide you with some options for maintaining a productive garden in an extremely hot climate such as Texas.

Before we discuss which plants to grow in the heat, we should discuss some overall strategies to promote healthy growth regardless of which plants you choose to grow:

Shade

Shade is your best friend when it comes to growing a summer garden in Texas.  Just as we like to sit in the shade and sip on a cold beverage, your plants will also appreciate a good amount of shade as well.  Even plants that are marketed as "full sun" will do fine with lots of afternoon shade.  Try to shoot for at least 6 hours of sun for these plants, especially in the early morning and afternoon.  Having an area that gets dappled sunlight all day is another option as well. 

If you don't have any natural shade from the trees or structures on your property, you can create shade as well.  If your garden area doesn't span several acres you can purchase a shade cloth to protect the most vulnerable plants in your garden during the hottest part of the day.  Shade cloth can be purchased in custom sizes and is rated by the percentage of shade it provides.  I recommend using a shade cloth rated at 50% shade for most vegetables, herbs, and flowers. 

​Agfabric 50% Sunblock Shade Cloth

Irrigation

The reality of the situation is that you are no doubt going to have to water your plants often in July and August - sometimes every day.  The timing of watering, as well as the method of watering, are both very important to minimize water loss to evaporation.  Drip irrigation is highly recommended in garden plots in order to direct the water to the exact spot that you need it without losing a majority of it to evaporation.  Watering with a sprinkler or by hand is not recommended if it can be avoided.  The one situation when watering by hand is okay is if you are watering pots.  

Use drip irrigation and a thick layer of mulch to minimize water loss

The timing of watering is also very important in order to maximize the uptake of water into your plants.  Watering first thing in the morning before it gets too hot is the most efficient time to water.  Your plants will be able to uptake as much water as they can before the heat of the day sets in and you won't lose as much water to evaporation.  If you can't water first thing in the morning the next best time to water would be in the evening when the sun has made its way down and is no longer blaring hot.  Watering during the hottest part of the day should be avoided if at all possible.  If this is the only time you have to water then obviously it is a better choice than killing your plants. 

Mulch

Mulch is an extremely important addition to the garden no matter what season it is.  Mulch protects the soil, prevents erosion, slows the growth of weeds, and acts as a temperature regulator.  In the heat of the summer, mulch cools the soil and locks-in moisture.  In winter, mulch warms the soil and protects the roots of your plants.   We use a natural wood chip mulch at Ronin Farm, which provides great coverage and will eventually break down and add beneficial structure and fungal growth to the soil.  Other options for mulch include: wheat straw, well aged compost, cotton hulls, pecan shells, and clean/weed free hay.  Use a thick layer, at least 4 to 5 inches, for the best results. 

Vegetables, herbs, and flowers to grow in extremely hot climates 

Vegetables 

Armenian Cucumber

Cucumbers are a great choice for hot summers, but not all cucumbers perform the same.  The majority of cucumbers will develop an off-putting bitter taste during the hottest summer days.  The Armenian cucumber on the other hand is a prolific producer through even the hottest days in summer and won't develop such a harsh bitter flavor.  This is because Armenian cucumbers are actually in the melon family.  The flavor is superb and the skin is so tender they don't need to be peeled.  

Varieties: Armenian, striped Armenian (pictured)

Purchase Armenian Cucumber Seeds Here

Striped Armenian Cucumber

Cowpeas

Cowpeas, or Southern peas, are a broad group of peas that do very well in the heat of the South.  They are very drought tolerant and will produce loads of highly nutritious peas.  They can be eaten fresh or you can wait until the pods have dried to harvest the dry peas.  

It is always recommended to inoculate your pea seeds with beneficial nitrogen fixing bacteria for maximum yields.  

Pea and Bean Innoculant

Varieties include: Blackeye peas, Crowder peas, Cream peas, Pinkeye purple hull.

Blackeye Peas

Eggplant

Eggplant thrives in the heat of the summer, but does best with some afternoon shade and lots of water.   Lack of water causes the eggplant to become very bitter during the hottest months.  You can rid the eggplant of some of this bitterness by sweating it first before cooking (place sliced eggplant in a colander and sprinkle salt over it and allow the water to drain for 20 minutes or so).

Recommended varieties: Aswad, Kermit, Nadia, Orient Express. 

Chinese eggplant

Melons

Melons of all types thrive in the hottest summers in the South, especially if you have sandy soil.  Melons require high doses of nutrients to produce quality sweet fruit, so be sure to amend your soil with lots of high-quality compost or Microlife fertilizer.   They also require regular irrigation, but the soil must drain well.  Stop irrigation about 2 weeks before the fruit is ready to be harvested to allow the fruit to develop good sugar content.  Only water if absolutely necessary during the final 2 weeks. 

Watermelon Plant

Okra

Okra is the grand champion of all vegetables to grow in the hottest months of summer.  In fact, okra doesn't really start to take off until temperatures start registering above 90 degrees consistently. Once the plants start flowering, you will be harvesting every day to keep up with them because they grow at an incredible pace.  

Recommended varieties:Clemson Spineless, Gold Coast, Carmine Splendor

Peanuts

Peanuts are often an overlooked crop, but they do wonderfully in extreme heat.  If you have never tried a fresh peanut you will want to try the sweet and crunchy treat immediately!  Plant peanuts in June for an October harvest - just in time for boiled peanuts during football season.  Like other legumes they will do best if they are inoculated before planting. 

Recommended variety: Virginia Jumbo

Fresh Peanuts

Peppers

Peppers, especially hot peppers, will grow right through the summer into fall.  Like eggplant, peppers will do better if they are provided some shade during the afternoon, or dappled sunlight all day long.  The hotter varieties hold up a little better in the heat than the milder varieties, in most instances. 

Shop for peppers at Botanical Interests 

Lemon Drop Peppers

Squash

Squash are divided into two categories, summer and winter.  Summer squash are typically grown on bushier plants and are eaten in their immature stage - like zucchini.  Winter squash typically grow on larger vines and are harvested when fully mature - like butternut.  Both types of squash will do well all summer long in the heat.  Selecting varieties that are resistant to powdery and downy mildew will be beneficial if you live in an area with high humidity and summer rainfall. 

Shop for squash seeds at Botanical Interests

"Desi" summer squash

Sweet Potato

If you haven't grown sweet potato I highly recommend putting it on your list of plants to try during the summer.  The plant is incredibly versatile and does well in the summer heat.  The greens of the plant are edible so you can enjoy sauteed greens all summer long while you wait for the "tubers" to grow.  The vines make a great ground cover that will shade the soil and prevent weeds from growing, which makes this a multi-purpose plant for your garden.  

Recommended Varieties - Beauregard, Carolina Ruby, Garnet, Georgia Jet

Sweet Potato Vine

Herbs

Basil

When I think of summer herbs I think mainly of basil.  Basil is a tough plant that can power through the hottest summers.  It will do better with plenty of afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight all day.  Keep the flowers trimmed off for continuous harvests all summer long.  Keep a few plants for flowers because basil flowers are a favorite of honey bees and other pollinators.   Choose varieties from hotter regions such as Holy Basil, Siam Queen, and Sweet Thai.

Purchase basil seeds at Botanical Interests

Holy Basil

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a wonderful perennial grass that thrives in full sun and the heat of the South.  It requires sufficient irrigation during the hottest parts of the summer, but will grow rapidly in the heat without many issues.  The stalks of the plant can be used to flavor drinks, soups, and stir-fry.  An amazing plant with a delightful aroma. 

Lemongrass

Red Roselle (edible hibiscus)

Roselle is a close relative to okra, so naturally it thrives in hot weather.  The plant is day-length dependent when it comes to flowering, so you won't be able to harvest any of the flowers until fall, but it will grow massively in the summer heat before the fall harvest. 

Roselle is what is used to make hibiscus tea and to flavor the popular agua fresca drink in Mexico - Jamaica.  The flowers and the leaves are both edible, and they both have a tart flavor reminiscent of cranberry. 

Red Roselle

Flowers

Celosia

Celosia, or cockscomb, is not only an attractive flower that is beneficial for pollinators - it's also edible as well.  The leaves of the plant can be used like spinach and the flowers provide a colorful and edible garnish for salads.  

Celosia will grow through the summer heat as long as it receives sufficient water and will do best with some afternoon shade.

Mexican Sunflower

Mexican Sunflower, or Tithonia, is an attractive plant that reaches about 6 feet tall.  It has bright orange flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.  It does great in the heat, but prefers some shade in the afternoon.  Great for cut-flower arrangements. 

Sunflower

Sunflowers are the quintessential summer flower and perform wonderfully in full sun through the hottest days of summer.  They can reach 10+ feet tall and produce abundant amounts of attractive flowers that feed pollinators and other wildlife.   They make great cut-flowers for beautiful summer center pieces on the kitchen table. 

Zinnias

Zinnias are the tried and true flower for summer and are perfect for gardeners of all skill levels.  They are hassle-free and grow beautifully in the heat.  They will wilt in the afternoon sun, so some shade is recommended, but they always bounce back when the sun falls beyond the horizon.  They come in all colors of the rainbow and make excellent cut-flowers for arrangements.  Pollinators of all types will visit the flowers throughout the day.  An all-around must have for the garden!