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Real-time pollen data for Laredo — updated daily.
Laredo's tree pollen profile reflects the Tamaulipan thornscrub ecoregion — the "brush country" of South Texas — where native trees are shorter, thornier, and adapted to semi-arid heat in ways that distinguish them from the lush forests of East Texas or the Hill Country cedars of Central Texas. Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) is the dominant tree across the South Texas Plains and produces allergenic pollen from March through May. Mesquite thrives in disturbed and overgrazed land, and decades of ranching have allowed it to spread across millions of acres of Webb County and surrounding brush country. Huisache (Vachellia farnesiana) is another signature South Texas tree that blooms brilliant yellow from January through March, producing wind-dispersed pollen that is a significant allergen for Laredo residents. Live oak is one of the most allergenic trees in South Texas, producing massive quantities of pollen from February through April — the yellow pollen dust visible on cars and surfaces across the city is almost entirely live oak catkins. Retama, Texas ebony, and Brasil are additional native brush country trees that contribute pollen. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen drifts south from the Texas Hill Country during winter — while the dense cedar stands are concentrated around Austin and San Antonio, wind-carried juniper pollen reaches Laredo during December through February cold fronts, contributing to winter allergy symptoms even 150 miles from the pollen's source. Elm, ash, hackberry, and pecan are common urban and riparian trees along the Rio Grande corridor. Salt cedar (Tamarix) has invaded riverbanks along the Rio Grande and produces pollen from spring through summer.
Laredo's warm climate supports one of the longest grass pollen seasons of any Texas city. Bermuda grass is the dominant lawn and landscape grass and produces pollen from March through November — a nearly nine-month season made possible by Laredo's subtropical temperatures that rarely drop below freezing. Buffalograss and native South Texas grasses pollinate across the warmer months. Johnson grass, a tall, aggressive grass found along roadsides, drainage ditches, and disturbed land throughout Webb County, is one of the most allergenic grass species in the region and pollinates from April through October. Bahia grass and St. Augustine grass contribute additional pollen in maintained landscapes. Ryegrass used for winter overseeding extends grass pollen into the cooler months. Agricultural grasses from surrounding ranch and farmland add to the pollen load — Webb County's 3,375 square miles include vast areas of brush country and rangeland where native grasses pollinate in waves throughout the growing season. The extended grass pollen season is one of Laredo's defining allergen characteristics, with no true grass-free period outside of the rare hard freeze events.
Ragweed dominates Laredo's fall weed pollen season from August through November. Giant ragweed and short ragweed thrive in the disturbed soils along roadsides, construction sites, vacant lots, and the extensive areas of cleared brush country surrounding the city. Pigweed (amaranth) is prolific across South Texas and produces substantial pollen from late summer through fall. Lamb's quarters, Russian thistle, dock, and plantain contribute additional weed pollen. Sagebrush (Artemisia) species, including annual wormwood, are present in the region's drier soils. Kochia and carelessweed are common in the semi-arid brush country. Marshelder and cocklebur grow along drainage areas and disturbed land. The vast expanses of undeveloped brush country surrounding Laredo in every direction provide an enormous source area for weed pollen — wind events carry pollen from the surrounding open landscape directly into the city. South Texas weeds benefit from the extended warm season and can continue producing pollen well into December in mild years, giving Laredo one of the longest weed pollen seasons in the state.
Laredo faces respiratory challenges beyond biological pollen that are unique among Texas cities. As America's largest inland port, Laredo processes more than 16,000 commercial truck crossings daily across the World Trade Bridge, Lincoln-Juarez Bridge, and Columbia Solidarity Bridge. This massive freight volume generates continuous diesel exhaust emissions. On-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Webb County account for an estimated 6% of county-wide nitrogen oxide emissions and 4-5% of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions. Research has shown that diesel exhaust inflames airways already sensitized by biological allergens, lowering the threshold at which pollen triggers symptoms. Webb County exceeded federal particulate matter (PM2.5) soot standards based on 2021-2023 air quality monitoring data, though TCEQ used the "exceptional events" rule to exclude it from nonattainment designation. Cross-border air pollution is a documented factor — agricultural burns and wildfires in Mexico and Central America send smoke and fine particulate matter northward into the Laredo airshed. Saharan dust events, where massive plumes of African dust cross the Atlantic and reach the Gulf Coast and South Texas, contribute additional particulate matter several times per year, typically during summer. Indoor allergens including dust mites (which thrive in Laredo's humid months), pet dander, cockroach allergen, and mold (from air conditioning condensation in the extreme heat) are year-round concerns.
Severity: Low to Moderate
Winter is Laredo's mildest allergy season but is not allergen-free. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen drifts south from the Texas Hill Country during and after cold fronts — while the densest cedar stands are 150+ miles north around Austin and San Antonio, wind-carried pollen reaches South Texas and can trigger symptoms in cedar-sensitized individuals. Huisache trees begin their brilliant yellow bloom as early as January, releasing allergenic pollen that signals the approaching spring season. Elm trees pollinate in February. Bermuda grass may produce low levels of pollen during warm spells. Indoor allergens — dust mites, pet dander, mold from sealed homes running heating systems — are the primary triggers during cooler months. Laredo's winters are mild by Texas standards, with average highs in the 60s-70s°F, so biological pollen activity never fully ceases as it does in northern Texas cities.
Severity: High to Severe
Spring is Laredo's most intense allergy period. Live oak pollen erupts in enormous quantities from February through April, coating every outdoor surface with visible yellow dust. Mesquite pollen surges from March through May as the dominant brush country tree pollinates across millions of acres of surrounding rangeland. Ash, hackberry, pecan, and salt cedar add overlapping tree pollen. By March, Bermuda grass pollen season is underway and intensifies through spring. Johnson grass begins pollinating in April. The overlap of peak tree pollen and emerging grass pollen makes March through May particularly challenging. Spring wind events can be significant in the open brush country landscape, amplifying pollen dispersal and generating dust from the semi-arid soils. Saharan dust events may begin arriving in late spring, adding non-biological particulate matter to the pollen-laden air.
Severity: Moderate to High
Summer in Laredo is defined by extreme heat (average highs exceeding 100°F in June through August) and continued grass pollen production. Bermuda grass and Johnson grass continue pollinating throughout summer — unlike cities further north where extreme heat provides a pollen reprieve, Laredo's irrigated landscapes maintain grass growth even in triple-digit temperatures. Early weed pollen (pigweed, lamb's quarters) begins appearing by late summer. Saharan dust events are most common from June through August, when massive plumes of African dust cross the Atlantic and reach South Texas, sometimes degrading air quality for days. Cross-border smoke from agricultural burns in Mexico and Central America can drift northward into the Laredo airshed. Diesel truck emissions from the international bridges continue year-round. The combination of biological pollen, Saharan dust, cross-border smoke, and diesel particulates makes summer air quality in Laredo complex and variable. Indoor air conditioning can provide relief but also creates conditions for mold growth in condensation-prone systems.
Severity: Moderate to High
Fall brings Laredo's peak weed pollen season. Ragweed dominates from September through November, with the vast expanses of disturbed brush country and rangeland surrounding the city providing an enormous source area. Pigweed, lamb's quarters, sagebrush, Russian thistle, and dock add overlapping weed pollen. Bermuda grass continues producing pollen into November in Laredo's extended warm season. The combination of peak weed pollen and lingering grass pollen makes fall a significant allergy period. Saharan dust events taper off but occasional events can still occur in early fall. Cross-border agricultural burns in Mexico may intensify after harvest season. By December, falling temperatures begin suppressing weed and grass pollen, but Laredo's mild winters mean this reprieve is shorter than in northern Texas cities.
Laredo processes more international trade by land than any other US city — over 16,000 commercial trucks cross the international bridges daily, making it the busiest inland port in the Western Hemisphere. This constant stream of diesel freight traffic generates continuous emissions of nitrogen oxides, PM2.5, and PM10 particulate matter. Research has demonstrated that diesel exhaust inflames airways already sensitized by biological allergens, lowering the threshold at which pollen triggers symptoms. If you live near the I-35 corridor, the World Trade Bridge, or the commercial freight zones along Bob Bullock Loop, your diesel exposure is significantly higher than in residential neighborhoods further from the trucking routes. Webb County was among Texas counties that exceeded new federal PM2.5 soot standards based on 2021-2023 data. Practical steps: if you commute along I-35 or near the bridges, keep vehicle windows closed and set air conditioning to recirculate during heavy truck traffic hours. In homes near freight corridors, upgrade to MERV 13+ HVAC filters and run HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms. These measures reduce both diesel particulate and biological pollen exposure simultaneously.
Laredo sits in the heart of the Tamaulipan thornscrub — the "brush country" that defines the South Texas Plains ecoregion. This is not the lush forest of East Texas or the cedar-covered hills of Central Texas. The dominant vegetation is shorter, thornier, and uniquely adapted to semi-arid heat: honey mesquite, huisache, blackbrush, guajillo, cenizo, and Texas mountain laurel. Honey mesquite has spread across millions of acres of Webb County rangeland and produces allergenic pollen from March through May. Huisache's brilliant yellow blooms begin as early as January and signal the start of the tree pollen season. Live oak, while not a brush species, produces the most visibly abundant pollen in the region — the yellow coating on vehicles and outdoor surfaces in March and April is almost entirely live oak catkins. Understanding your specific brush country triggers through allergy testing is particularly valuable in Laredo because the allergen mix is different from what standard allergy resources describe for "Texas" — most Texas allergy information is written for Central or North Texas and does not account for the Tamaulipan thornscrub species dominant in Webb County.
Laredo's position on the US-Mexico border means its airshed is shared with Nuevo Laredo and influenced by air quality conditions across northeastern Mexico and beyond. Agricultural burns and wildfires in Mexico and Central America send smoke and fine particulate matter northward into the Laredo region — TCEQ has documented that Webb County's PM2.5 exceedances were partly attributable to these international emission sources. Saharan dust events, where massive plumes of African dust cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach the Gulf Coast and South Texas, contribute additional mineral particulate matter several times per year, most commonly from June through August. These dust plumes can degrade air quality for days and contain fine particles that penetrate deep into lungs. For allergy sufferers, the practical implication is that poor air quality days in Laredo are not always caused by local pollen — monitoring AirNow (airnow.gov) helps distinguish between biological pollen days and particulate matter events from cross-border smoke or Saharan dust, which require different protective strategies (staying indoors with sealed windows and HEPA filtration rather than just taking antihistamines).
Most Texas allergy guides describe grass pollen season as running from April through June or July. In Laredo, Bermuda grass produces pollen from March through November — a nine-month season made possible by subtropical temperatures that rarely drop below freezing. Johnson grass, one of the most allergenic grass species in the region, pollinates from April through October. This means Laredo residents sensitized to grass pollen face one of the longest grass allergen exposures of any Texas city. The only reliable break comes during the brief period of cool weather in December through February, and even then, warm spells can trigger short bursts of grass pollen production. If you find that your allergy symptoms never fully resolve during any season, grass sensitization combined with the overlapping tree (January–May) and weed (August–December) seasons may be creating a functionally year-round exposure pattern. Allergy testing that identifies your specific grass, tree, and weed triggers is the first step toward understanding why your symptoms persist.
Specialist allergy care has historically been limited in Laredo — a city of 262,000 with fewer board-certified allergists per capita than most Texas metros. HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Laredo residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas, providing expert care from home. Book a virtual consultation, have allergy blood tests ordered at a convenient local lab, and receive a personalized treatment plan targeting your specific South Texas triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building tolerance to the specific allergens driving your symptoms — whether mesquite, live oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, Johnson grass, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city where biological pollen, diesel emissions, cross-border smoke, and Saharan dust combine to create a complex respiratory environment, treating the underlying allergic sensitivity is the most effective path to lasting relief. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
March through May is the worst for tree pollen (live oak, mesquite, huisache), while September through November is the worst for weed pollen (ragweed, pigweed). Grass pollen (Bermuda, Johnson grass) runs from March through November — nearly nine months. Summer brings Saharan dust events and cross-border smoke that compound biological allergen effects.
The most common allergens in the Laredo area include live oak, mesquite, huisache, Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, ragweed, pigweed, dust mites, and pet dander. The South Texas brush country allergen mix is different from Central or North Texas — allergy blood testing identifies your specific triggers so treatment targets the right allergens.
Yes. Laredo is America's largest inland port with 16,000+ commercial trucks crossing daily. Research shows diesel exhaust inflames airways sensitized by biological allergens, lowering the threshold at which pollen triggers symptoms. Webb County exceeded federal PM2.5 soot standards based on 2021-2023 data. Living near I-35 or the international bridges increases diesel particulate exposure.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas. Book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the state, have allergy blood tests ordered at a lab near you, and start a personalized treatment plan without visiting a clinic. No referral needed and no waitlist.
HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy uses customized liquid drops placed under your tongue daily. The drops contain precise doses of the specific allergens triggering your symptoms — whether mesquite, live oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, Johnson grass, dust mites, or pet dander. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, reducing allergic reactions and medication dependence. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans, including United Healthcare, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Oscar, and Tricare. Contact your insurance provider with Tax ID: 85-0834175 to confirm your specific telemedicine coverage.
Several times per year, massive plumes of dust from the Sahara Desert cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach the Gulf Coast and South Texas. These events typically occur from June through August and can degrade air quality for days. The fine mineral particles penetrate deep into lungs and compound the effects of biological allergens. Monitor AirNow (airnow.gov) during summer for Saharan dust advisories.
HeyAllergy offers fast scheduling with no waitlist. Book a telemedicine appointment with a board-certified allergist and connect from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Your allergist will order blood tests at a local lab and develop a treatment plan personalized to Laredo's specific allergen mix.
Laredo, Texas — population approximately 262,000 — sits in the heart of the South Texas Plains ecoregion, known locally as the Tamaulipan thornscrub or simply "brush country." This is one of the most distinctive ecological regions in the United States: a semi-arid landscape of short, thorny trees and dense shrubs adapted to hot, dry conditions that defines the vegetation, wildlife, and allergen profile of the entire Rio Grande corridor from Laredo to the Gulf Coast. The dominant native vegetation — honey mesquite, huisache, blackbrush, guajillo, cenizo, Texas mountain laurel, and Spanish dagger — is fundamentally different from the pine forests of East Texas, the oak-juniper woodlands of the Hill Country, or the coastal prairies of Houston and Corpus Christi. For allergy sufferers, this means Laredo's pollen triggers are not well represented in generic "Texas allergy" guides, which are typically written for Central or North Texas. The brush country produces its own allergen calendar driven by species that many Texans from other regions have never encountered, creating diagnostic challenges for people who relocate to Webb County and develop symptoms their previous allergy testing never addressed.
Laredo's identity as a border city is inseparable from its role as the largest inland port in the Western Hemisphere. More than 16,000 commercial trucks cross the international bridges between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo daily, carrying goods along the I-35/NAFTA corridor that connects Mexico's manufacturing centers to the US interior. This extraordinary freight volume makes Laredo one of the most important trade gateways in North America — and one of the most diesel-exposed cities in the state. On-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Webb County account for an estimated 6% of county-wide nitrogen oxide emissions, 4% of PM2.5 emissions, and 5% of PM10 emissions. The I-35 corridor through the city, the World Trade Bridge (the busiest commercial crossing in the Western Hemisphere), the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge, and the Columbia Solidarity Bridge generate continuous diesel exhaust that mixes with biological pollen and natural particulates. Research has demonstrated that diesel exhaust particles inflame airways already sensitized by biological allergens, creating a synergistic effect where pollen exposure produces worse symptoms in the presence of diesel pollution than it would in clean air. Webb County was among Texas counties that exceeded the new federal PM2.5 soot standard based on 2021-2023 monitoring data — though TCEQ used the "exceptional events" rule to exclude it from nonattainment designation, citing contributions from cross-border emissions and dust storms.
Unlike most American cities, Laredo shares its airshed with a major Mexican city — Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, with a population of approximately 425,000. The two cities are separated only by the Rio Grande, and air pollution from one side freely crosses to the other. Agricultural burns and wildfires in Mexico and Central America regularly send smoke and fine particulate matter northward into the Laredo region. TCEQ has documented that Webb County's PM2.5 exceedances were partly attributable to international emission sources, including wildfires and agricultural burning in Mexico. Industrial emissions from maquiladoras and other facilities in Nuevo Laredo contribute to the shared airshed. Additionally, Saharan dust events — where massive plumes of mineral dust from the Sahara Desert cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach the Gulf Coast and South Texas — contribute non-biological particulate matter several times per year, most commonly from June through August. These transnational and transcontinental pollution sources are beyond the control of local air quality management and create respiratory challenges that compound the effects of biological allergens. For residents with existing allergy sensitization, these additional particulate sources lower the threshold at which biological pollen triggers symptoms.
Laredo's subtropical climate — with average annual temperatures among the highest in Texas, brief mild winters with rare freezes, and extended growing seasons — supports one of the longest allergy seasons of any Texas city. Tree pollen begins with huisache in January and extends through mesquite and live oak into May. Grass pollen from Bermuda grass and Johnson grass runs from March through November — a nine-month season that dwarfs the four-to-five-month grass seasons of North Texas cities. Weed pollen from ragweed, pigweed, and related species dominates from August through December. The overlapping nature of these three pollen categories means there is no month in Laredo completely free from biological allergens. Even during the brief cool period of December through February, mountain cedar pollen drifts south from the Hill Country after cold fronts, huisache begins early blooming, and indoor allergens intensify as homes are sealed. This functionally year-round allergen exposure, combined with the non-biological respiratory challenges of diesel emissions, cross-border smoke, and Saharan dust, makes Laredo one of the most complex respiratory environments in Texas.
Webb County faces healthcare access challenges that compound the burden of allergic disease. Specialist allergy care has historically been limited in the region, with fewer board-certified allergists per capita than most Texas metropolitan areas. Lack of health insurance access in Laredo is approximately three times higher than the national average, which means many residents delay or avoid seeking care for chronic conditions like allergic rhinitis and asthma. Some residents in the border community cross into Mexico to access healthcare, which means US-based allergy prevalence data may undercount the true burden of allergic disease in the region. These access barriers make telemedicine particularly valuable for Laredo residents — providing specialist allergy care without the scheduling delays, travel requirements, and availability limitations of in-person appointments.
HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Laredo and South Texas residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas — providing specialist care from the comfort of home. A virtual consultation eliminates the scheduling delays and limited availability of in-person specialist appointments. Allergy blood tests are ordered at a convenient local lab, and a personalized treatment plan is developed based on your specific triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building your immune system's tolerance to the specific allergens driving your symptoms — whether mesquite, live oak, huisache, Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city where brush country pollen, diesel emissions, cross-border smoke, and Saharan dust combine to create a complex and year-round respiratory environment, treating the underlying allergic sensitivity is the most effective path to lasting relief. HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans. Starting at $47 per month for HeyPak drops, with most patients noticing improvement within 3 to 6 months.
