How to protect plants in Florida from cold weather and what to avoid using for plant covers

Ann Albers, Kimberly Miller and Mauricio La Plante, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·2 min read

It isn't just people and pets who need protection from the cold. Florida's tropical plants need protection from the freezing temperatures, too.

Mother Nature is prepared to wallop the South with freezing temperatures and brutal wind chills this weekend.

Parts of Florida could see some of the coldest temperatures in more than a decade this weekend, according to weather forecasters. Some areas in Florida are under freeze watches and frost warnings.

Joanne O'Malley moves dune sunflowers to a cart at Rockledge Gardens. Workers were moving all the non cold hardy plants onto carts that will be rolled in to the warehouse and the greenhouse for the night to protect them. Brevard is expecting freezing temperatures Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Joanne O'Malley moves dune sunflowers to a cart at Rockledge Gardens. Workers were moving all the non cold hardy plants onto carts that will be rolled in to the warehouse and the greenhouse for the night to protect them. Brevard is expecting freezing temperatures Saturday night into Sunday morning.

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Here's how to protect your plants from the arctic blast that's headed our way.

Add some extra covering to in-ground plants and garden beds

Specialty plant-covering material is widely available from local nurseries or landscape specialists. Landscape experts at ASI Landscape Management recommend a loose covering around the plant. If possible, minimize the cover’s contact with tender leaves and delicate stems. Some type of support structure or wire cage can be helpful.

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Saturday night low temperatures.
Saturday night low temperatures.

Cover plants to the ground and leave an air pocket

Plant covering should extend all the way to the ground for full protection, creating an “air pocket” around the plant that traps heat inside. Landscape experts recommend anchoring the covering as necessary to prevent it from blowing away or shifting position.

When the temperature rises or the winds die down, remove the covering.

Don't use plastic to protect your outdoor plants

Lawn experts say to avoid using plastic sheeting. Although plastic might seem like an easy and effective way to shield your plants, it doesn’t “breathe,” and it tends to allow moisture to form on plant leaves, causing them to burn.

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How to protect potted plants and container gardens from the cold

The University of Florida recommends extremely delicate flowering plants should, ideally, be moved indoors during a freeze. Even short-term exposure can cause leaf damage or prevent a plant from flowering. In extreme cases, cold can quickly kill a young plant.

Group containers together for warmth and cover them

If the containers are too large, or if there are too many to bring indoors, professional landscapers say it’s best to try to group the pots together as much as possible. Cover them in groups, in much the same way you would cover plants in the ground. In the morning, after the temperature rises and the sun comes up, you can uncover them and place the containers back.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida cold weather tips on how to protect plants from freezing temps