Protect Your Plants: Cold Front & Extreme Cold Watch for Houston! ❄️
Feb. 18, 2025
By Todd Farber, Aggie Horticulturist & Founder of Garden Guy
The National Weather Service Galveston-Houston is forecasting a strong cold front moving into the Sugar Land area tonight, bringing rain, gusty winds up to 35 mph, and temperatures dropping to 39°F. Even colder wind chills are expected Wednesday morning, and an Extreme Cold Watch is in place for Thursday morning.
That means it's time to follow the 4 Ps: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants! Today, we’re focusing on how to protect your plants and landscaping from freeze damage.
🌱 5 Key Steps to Protect Your Plants from Houston’s Freeze
1️⃣ Cover Your Plants the Right Way
Use breathable freeze cloth or old sheets, NOT plastic! ❌
Drape covers loosely over plants, ensuring they reach the ground to trap heat.
Secure covers with bricks, rocks, or stakes to prevent them from blowing away. 🌬️
2️⃣ Water Your Plants Before the Freeze
Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, helping insulate roots.
Water early in the day before temperatures drop. 💧
3️⃣ Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
Add a 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of plants to lock in soil warmth.
Pine straw, shredded leaves, or hardwood mulch work best! 🍂
4️⃣ Protect Potted Plants
Move pots against a wall, under a covered patio, or inside a garage.
If you can’t move them, wrap the pot in burlap, bubble wrap, or towels for insulation. 🏡
5️⃣ Check for Freeze Damage Later
Don’t prune immediately if you see damage—wait until spring to assess plant health.
Perform a scratch test to check for life under the bark. If it's green, it's alive! 🌿
🌴 Special Protection for Palms & Tropical Plants
🌿 Palms:
✔️ Wrap the trunk with burlap, frost cloth, or old blankets to insulate against the cold.
✔️ Protect the crown (growth point): Stuff dry straw, leaves, or burlap into the center to shield the heart of the palm.
✔️ For severe freezes: Use old-fashioned Christmas lights (not LED) to provide gentle warmth.
🍍 Tropical Plants (Bananas, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, etc.):
✔️ Cover completely with frost cloth and anchor it to the ground.
✔️ Mulch heavily around the base to protect the roots.
✔️ Banana plants: Cut the leaves back and wrap the trunk in insulation (like frost cloth or towels).
🌡️ Taking action NOW can save your plants from freeze damage later!
📖 Need more tips? Visit our garden question resource page
🌱 Have questions? Click here
Text us on 281-208-4400 for quick help!
Todd Farber, Garden Guy
#HoustonGardening 🌿 #FreezeProtection ❄️
Get More Gardening Tips
Subscribe to receive expert gardening and landscaping advice straight to your inbox.
