Are you worried that your plants won’t survive the winter? Are you wondering what’s a temperature too cold for plants and want answers?
The temperature too cold for plants varies depending on the plant type and natural habitat. Some plants can handle hefty temperature drops in the winter, while others cannot. The temperatures in which plants die vary, but if it falls below 0 C (32F), then you will most likely lose your plant to frost burn.
Ideally, you should go for plants that are native to your region. That way, you know the plants are accustomed to your area’s climate. As you can guess, plants native to rainforests or deserts won’t do so well in the cold. Such plants would need additional care to keep their environment the way they like.
How do you protect your plants from cold weather?
You can take the following precautions to ensure your plants survive in case of unexpected temperature drops.
- Mulch your plants with leaves or straw. This will insulate the roots of your plant and help them retain heat.
- Cover your plants if the temperature is expected to drop below 10 C (50 F) for a good few hours—this means that you need to cover them before it gets cold outside, not after!
- Stake tall plants to prevent them from being wind-bent—if they tip over, their roots would stick out and get exposed to the harsh cold.
- A heat sink can warm your plants during the night with the heat it absorbs during the day. You can make a heat sink out of something as simple as a transparent bottle of water.
- Avoid planting in an area where the wind can get trapped. Frosting usually happens when your plants are touching a barrier such as a fence or a wall. Move the pots a bit further away so the air can move around them.
When to bring plants inside during winter?
If the forecast calls for the temperature to fall below 0 C (32 F) for an extended period, then you will most likely lose your plants to frost burn. This is especially true for potted plants. Potted plants fare poorly against the cold; some usually start feeling the chill after a few hours, whereas others can survive for 12-24 hours tops. So, If you expect things to get this cold, it would be best to bring your potted plants inside.
Put your plants somewhere that receives sun during the day and has minor temperature fluctuations, like near a window. Keep them away from pets or children. Make sure not to place them somewhere too hot, as such a significant temperature variation is also damaging to plants.
Some plants don’t need to be subjected to blistering cold to perish. These plants are native to hot climates and don’t do so well when it’s cold outside. Let’s read a bit more about them.
What are some of the most common plants that can’t handle cold weather?
Many plants cannot handle cold weather and don’t need frosting conditions to sustain damage. Some common ones include:
Cannabis
This tropical plant is native to areas that rarely experience winter. That’s why cannabis doesn’t fare so well in cold weather. Your cannabis plant may perish if the temperature reaches 12 C (53 F) or lower.
Ferns
Ferns are primitive tropical plants that prefer things warm. Most ferns cannot tolerate temperatures below 10 C (50 F).
Succulents
Succulents are drought-resistant plants with thick fleshy leaves that make them well-suited to dry and hot weather. However, they can’t survive when the temperature is below 5 C (40 F).
Flowering houseplants
Begonias, hibiscus, ixoras, bromeliads, and others like it when the temperature reads 15 C (60 F) or above. If it gets colder, these plants may start feeling the chill. Avoid subjecting them to lower temperatures.
Specific cultivars do very well in cold climates, so it is better to research before choosing the plant that will suit your temperature needs. There are temperature identifiers on many websites for this very reason, so remember to check temperature requirements before getting a new plant.
What happens when your garden reaches a temperature too cold for plants?
When it gets too cold for your plants, their cells will freeze and become permanently damaged. This is evident by the leaves turning brown or black. Make sure you don’t prune these brown leaves and wait until spring before getting rid of them. These dead leaves will provide your plant insulation in the winter when they are covering your plant.
Luckily, not all plants perish during winter. These plants have ingenious evolutionary mechanisms that trigger when a temperature too cold for plants is reached.
- Some plants that have been in the cold for several days before the temperature falls too low can adapt so that their cells do not freeze even when the temperature is near 0 C (32 F).
- Some arctic trees dehydrate their cells to prevent water from freezing inside them.
- Some plants use amino acids and sugars to reduce the freezing temperature of their cells.
- Some trees utilize bark like a sweater or jacket to protect their insides from freezing.
When should you give up on a frostbitten plant and throw it away?
If you notice your plants covered in ice, or they have darkened and droopy leaves and branches, you may think it’s too late, and your plant is ruined. However, you shouldn’t throw your plants right away. Many plants can survive even after suffering from frostbite.
You may feel like pruning the dead foliage on your greens, but avoid doing so. These dead leaves may still have living tissue inside. The distinction between living and dead parts becomes more evident when the weather is warmer. If you wait until the spring to remove the leaves and branches, there is still a chance for recovery. Frostbitten leaves also insulate your plant from further damage, which is why you should hold off any pruning till spring.
If you’ve waited until mid-summer and there is no growth on the plant, you can consider it a lost cause and throw it away.
Are there any plants that can survive in cold weather climates?
Many house plants can thrive in cold weather climates. They are typically sturdy, so they don’t mind the chilly weather and thrive in it.
Vegetables, for example, taste better when they’ve experienced a bit of chill. We’ve made a table of those vegetables and the lowest temperature they can tolerate.
| Vegetable | Temperature (C) | Temperature (F) |
| Carrots | -2.2 | 28 |
| Potatoes | -2.2 | 28 |
| Beets | -1.7 | 29 |
| Turnips | -6.7 | 20 |
| Parsnips | -1.1 | 30 |
| Garlic | -1.1 | 30 |
| Broccoli | -1.7 | 29 |
| Cauliflower | -2.8 | 27 |
| Cabbage | -3.3 | 26 |
| Kale | -2.8 | 27 |
| Spinach | -1.1 | 30 |
| Lettuce | -6.7 | 20 |
| Okra | -1.7 | 29 |
| Beans | -0.6 | 31 |
Should I stop watering my plants during winter?
The lower evaporation during the winter months may cause the usual amount of water to become excessive for the plant.
You should always let the soil dry out before watering your plant. This doesn’t happen a lot during winter or when it’s cloudy. You can check whether your plant needs a drink by digging your finger through the soil. If you feel moisture, the plant doesn’t need any more water.
Do I need to protect indoor plants too?
Indoor plants may not be exposed to the elements, but they can still suffer from temperature-related damage. One of the issues indoor plants face is the lack of sunlight during winter. Move your indoor plants near windows so they can get plenty of sunlight. You have to be careful that the window doesn’t bring in cold drafts.
When you bring outdoor plants indoors for the winter, check them thoroughly for any infestation or diseases. Mixing them with indoor plants without checking for insects or diseases will promote their spread.
It’s also important to practice restraint when giving plants warmth. Don’t put them at spots where there are fluctuating temperatures. Keep your plant away from lamps, heaters, stoves, and other sources of heat. These places can get cold when they’re not used, and these temperature fluctuations can disturb the plant’s growth.
Conclusion
Frost damage isn’t a surefire killer of plants, but you should still practice precaution if you live somewhere cold and have plants outside. Take note of the local temperature, and start taking precautions as soon as you suspect things getting too chilly. Bring potted plants indoors at night or whenever you notice the temperature too low for plants, but give them plenty of sun whenever you can.
Resist the urge to prune dead leaves and branches of a frostbitten plant. You can do that come spring. Also, don’t give up on a seemingly dead plant too quickly. If you can, give the plant until mid-summer to recover.
Avoid temperature fluctuations; a plant can tolerate a slight cold as long as the temperature is consistent. Subjecting them to temperature variations can stress them out. If you suspect your area’s climate may be too much for tropical plants, stick to native plants instead. By following these practices, you will have no problem keeping your plants alive and healthy during the harsh winter months.