As a passionate gardener, I have learned that even the most carefully tended plants can sometimes succumb to the elements. Whether it’s a sudden frost, a prolonged period of extreme cold, or simply forgetting to water them during a vacation, there are many ways that our beloved greenery can become lifeless and dormant. However, all is not lost! With a little care and attention, it is often possible to revive a frozen plant and bring it back to life.
In this article, I will share some tips and tricks for bringing a frozen plant back to health. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, these simple steps will help you give your plants the best chance of survival.
What to Do for Cold-Exposed Houseplants?
It’s important to note that many common houseplants, native to tropical regions, are very sensitive to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Some plants may start to die as soon as the temperature drops, while others with strong roots in the soil may be able to regenerate even if their tops are frozen.
The length of time that the plants are exposed to cold temperatures also plays a significant role in their chances of survival. Some plant species may only need a few hours of exposure to cold temperatures to be killed, while others may be able to withstand up to 24 hours before succumbing.
To determine if your plant can recover, check the roots. The plant may still have a chance if they are white and firm. However, if the roots are mushy, the plant will likely be unable to recover. If the roots are somewhere in the middle, you can use the following revival techniques to bring the plant back to life.
Move The Plant To a Warmer Location As Soon As Possible
It is important to move the plant to a warmer environment as soon as possible. Do not worry about removing any dead foliage at this time. The focus should be on warming the plant. Once it is warm, the healing process will start (depending on how long it was exposed to the cold).
Avoid placing the plant near a radiator or fire, as this could cause further harm. Instead, put the plant in its usual indoor location, but keep it out of direct sunlight for the first 48 hours.
Water Right Away
Water the plant immediately and let the excess drain out of the pot. When a plant freezes, it loses moisture from its leaves, which is a serious problem because plants need water to survive. As the plant recovers, continue watering it as usual.
Handle Succulents Them With Care
Succulents and cacti, which store water in their stems and bodies, are more prone to cell damage when they freeze. Fortunately, many of these plants are quite hardy and may only require the removal of any damaged leaves. Wait a few days before assessing the plants. If the inside is black or mushy, they may not be able to be saved, but if you see new growth, they are likely to survive.
SEE: How To Transplant Succulents
Assess the Damage
If a plant experiences a light freeze, its foliage may become damaged or discolored. In this case, waiting for the damaged parts to fall off naturally is best. If the frost is more severe, the roots and crowns of the plants may also be affected.
In this case, the tissue may be permanently damaged at the cellular level. There is a possibility that the plants will recover, but there is also a chance that they will not. It is important to give the plants a few months to see if they recover before making a final determination.
Damaged plants may eventually recover, especially if they are native to your area and used to the local weather patterns. These plants can withstand occasional cold spells, and others may take longer to recover. Before discarding them in the compost, give them a few months to see if they recover, carefully observing the damage and looking for new growth.
What to Do for Cold-Exposed Outdoor Gardens
Outdoor plants are usually grown in regions with suitable climates, which increases their chances of recovering from a severe cold snap. When the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, frost forms when water vapor freezes and condenses on the ground.
Like houseplants, when a plant is actively growing, the water in its leaves freezes when it comes into contact with cold air, causing cell damage.
If your garden has been damaged by cold weather, you may notice changes in the color and appearance of the leaves, such as discoloration or curling. To help your plants recover, here are some steps you can take:
Leave The Plants Alone For The Time Being
It’s important to give your plants time to adjust after a cold spell before taking action. It can be difficult to assess the extent of the damage until new growth appears. Snow can provide insulation and protect plants from extreme cold, so it’s important to wait and see how the plants respond before deciding what to do. It’s best to be patient and allow the plants some time to recover before taking any further steps.
Cover the Plant or Move It to a Warmer Location
It’s important to protect the plant from further cold. If the plant is outside, bring it indoors or cover it with a protective covering such as a plant blanket or a cardboard box. This could also mean placing it in a greenhouse or simply moving it to a sunnier spot in your garden.
SEE: How to Propagate Begonias
Water the Plant Sparingly
Once you have moved your plant to a warmer location, it’s important to water it sparingly. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can damage your plant more than the freezing itself. Instead, give the plant just enough water to help it start to thaw out and revive.
Don’t fertilize
It’s important to wait until a plant has fully recovered before fertilizing it. It may be dead if a plant does not show signs of new growth after being left alone for a few weeks or months. Gardening and maintaining indoor plants can be a learning process, and it’s normal to experience successes and failures. As you gain more experience, you will learn more about caring for your plants and how to help them best recover from stress or damage.
Mulch Can Also Be Beneficial
If you live in an area where certain plants, like figs, are more sensitive to cold temperatures, it’s a good idea to use mulch to protect them. Mulch can help insulate the roots and keep them warmer by preventing cold air from reaching them. In addition, you can use snow as mulch by piling it around the plant. The air pockets created by the snow can help prevent the plant from freezing.
How to Avoid Damage in the Future
Winter frost can be a major problem for gardeners and plant enthusiasts, as it can damage or kill delicate plants. However, there are strategies you can use to keep your plants healthy and thriving during the colder months. So, if you want to keep your plants safe from frost damage, here are tips to keep in mind.
Cover Outdoor Plants
To safeguard delicate plants from freezing temperatures, you can cover them with protective materials such as burlap sacks, plastic plant covers, bedsheets, or upside-down plastic containers. It is best to cover the plants at night and remove the covers in the morning, which will protect them from frost and help keep them warm.
Keep Potted Tropical Plants Inside
If you live in an area with occasional cold weather during the winter, bringing your plants indoors or putting them under a covered porch or deck for protection is a good idea. If there is a forecast for very cold temperatures, moving the plants to a garage or sunroom is best to keep them safe.
Grow Cold-Tolerant Plants
To ensure the success of your plants during the winter, consider growing varieties that are tolerant of cold temperatures. Native plants, which have evolved to thrive in your specific region, are also a good choice because they are more adapted to the local climate and are more likely to survive colder weather. If you have moved and want to keep your more tropical plants, you can move them indoors near a window or in a heated greenhouse to protect them from the cold.
SEE: How to Grow and Care for Party Time Plant
I followed these steps to revive my frozen plant, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. After a few days of care and attention, I began noticing new plant growth. Its leaves were no longer drooping, and it seemed to be standing up a bit straighter. I continued to care for it; before long, my plant was fully revived and looked as healthy as ever.
Overall, reviving a frozen plant requires patience, care, and attention to detail. But with the right approach and a bit of effort, it is definitely possible to bring a frozen plant back to life.