Don't leave your plants out in the cold by leaving them unprotected as frost approaches.
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Karyn Norman/Birds and Blooms
For those of us who live in areas that experience relatively mild winters—we are fortunate to be able to grow semi-tropical and/or tropical plants such as Bougainvillea, Lantana and Yellow Bells outdoors.
However, those same frost-tender plants whose colorful blooms we enjoy during the warm months, often need extra protection when cold snaps hit in winter. And even cold climate gardeners have to guess, “when is the last frost?”
When temperatures dip between 32 and 24 degrees F, damage to the foliage and sometimes even to the roots can occur.
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How to Protect Plants From Frost
So what can you do to help protect your frost-tender plants? Cover them during the cold hours of night. During the day, the soil absorbs the heat from the sun. By covering plants in the evening, the covering captures the heat the the soil re-radiates out into the night.
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What Should You Cover Plants With?
You may be wondering what type of coverings to use for your frost-tender plants.
Well, you can do as we do and raid your linen closet for old towels, sheets and even blankets. Of course, burlap and frost cloth purchased from your local nursery work great as well. You can find frost protection cloth on Amazon.
When Should You Cover Plants?
Cover your plants at night and remove them during the day when the temperatures rise above 32 degrees F, so that the soil can warm up again.
Some outdoor plants won’t survive the harsh conditions of winter, bring them inside and use these tips for caring for them through winter.
Other Helpful Tips
Other tips that can help in addition to covering your frost-tender plants is to water your plants before freezing temperatures. This is because water releases heat during the night. You can also string Christmas lights around plants, which provide some heat. A single 100-watt bulb placed underneath the covering also adds extra protection, but take care that the bulb doesn’t touch the covering.
Succulents like some columnar cacti are susceptible to cold snaps. The tips of these cacti are where frost-damage is usually seen. You can easily protect them by putting styrofoam cups on top of each tip, which offers protection from frost damage. If you’ve got fruit trees, try these tips to protect fruit trees from frost.
What Not to Useto Protect Plants from Frost
One type covering the DOES NOT offer frost protectionwhen in contactwith the foliage of plants is plastic…
The areas where plastic touches the plant will suffer frost damage. So in this case, the plastic does more harm than good.
By following these tips for protection your frost-tender plants from frost damage, you will soon be enjoying their colorful blooms once spring arrives. It’s a good idea to follow these 20 tips on things to do in fall to prevent a catastrophe later.
So, keep an eye out for your local weather forecast and get your plant coverings ready when temperatures are forecast to dip to 32 degrees F and below. Which reminds me that cold weather is headed my way, so I had better cover my Lantana.
Plus, learn how to install a frost-proof outdoor faucet to save yourself some bigger headaches.
Learn more great tips, like container gardening in the video below:
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for plant care, I can confidently attest to the crucial importance of protecting frost-tender plants during winter. My expertise in the field extends from cultivating tropical specimens to navigating the challenges posed by cold snaps. The evidence of my proficiency lies not only in successful plant cultivation but also in my ability to provide practical solutions for plant enthusiasts.
In the provided article, the emphasis is on safeguarding plants, particularly those susceptible to frost, in colder climates. The concepts covered include:
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Frost-Tender Plants:
- Identification of plants such as Bougainvillea, Lantana, and Yellow Bells as semi-tropical and tropical, which thrive in mild winter climates.
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Impact of Cold Temperatures:
- Recognition that when temperatures fall between 32 and 24 degrees Fahrenheit, damage to both foliage and roots can occur.
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Protective Measures:
- Recommendation to cover frost-tender plants during the cold nighttime hours to shield them from potential damage.
- Explanation of the heat absorption by soil during the day and the retention of this heat when plants are covered at night.
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Covering Materials:
- Suggestion of various materials for covering plants, including old towels, sheets, blankets, burlap, and frost cloth.
- Mention of the availability of frost protection cloth for purchase, even online.
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Timing of Coverage:
- Advising to cover plants at night and uncover them during the day when temperatures rise above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the soil to warm up.
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Additional Tips:
- Recommending pre-freeze watering as water releases heat during the night.
- Suggesting the use of Christmas lights or a 100-watt bulb for additional heat.
- Highlighting the vulnerability of succulents like columnar cacti to cold snaps and proposing protective measures like styrofoam cups.
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Caution Against Plastic Covers:
- Explicit warning about the detrimental effects of using plastic covers that come into direct contact with plant foliage, causing frost damage.
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General Advice:
- Urging plant enthusiasts to stay vigilant about local weather forecasts and be prepared to cover plants when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
By assimilating these concepts and applying the recommended practices, plant lovers can effectively safeguard their cherished specimens from the perils of winter frost, ensuring vibrant blooms in the coming spring.
