How to Keep Your Houston, Texas Plants from Freezing This Winter

In Houston, Texas, a frost doesn't usually occur until mid December, but sometimes a cold front can come out of nowhere and take you (and your plants) by surprise. There's no need to panic, however, when freezing temperatures approach; just follow the guide below for your Houston, Texas plants, and they will come out of the freezing temperatures just fine.

General Tips. Mulch is always a good idea, and in general won't harm your Houston, Texas plants, so if you were remiss in mulching your garden in the fall, go out and do a little now. If you have automatic sprinklers in your garden, turn them off accordingly (no plant wants to be blasted with water when temperatures are freezing.) Be careful about covering, as a freezing morning can blossom into a 70-degree day, so covering your Houston, Texas plants can do more harm than good. However, if a freezing rain is predicted, cover your plants with blankets and then a plastic sheet. Move tender plants inside, if possible, when the temperatures drop to freezing in your Houston, Texas garden.

Hibiscus. Believe it or not, these tropical beauties can survive freezing temperatures quite well. Although they will die back, you can expect them to return without problems in the spring in your Houston, Texas garden. (Freezing temperatures in your garden may cause them to lose their tops.) If you have planted them in a container, move them into your garage or porch just to be safe if the Houston, Texas temperatures hover at freezing for an extended period.

Lantana. This gorgeous, butterfly-attracting plant will survive freezing temperatures just fine (in fact, does anything kill Lantana?) Just to be safe, you should mulch them well in the fall, but in general these plants have no problem during the Houston, Texas winter. Lantana are very root hardy, making them a great choice for your Houston, Texas garden.

Hummingbird Bush. You don't have to rush out and cover your Hummingbird Bush when a frost threatens your garden. These hardy Houston, Texas bushes may be a little damaged from the cold, but will come roaring back once spring comes. The new growth will come from the roots, so prune accordingly in the spring.

Alyssum. This is one of the hardiest flowers you can choose for your Houston, Texas garden. They don't even need to be covered when the temperatures drop below freezing (unless it drops below 20 degrees, which is unlikely in Houston, Texas. If that happens, cover them.)

Snapdragons. This is another hardy plant that can withstand the freezing temperatures in your garden. If it drops down to 20 degrees or lower (again, unlikely in Houston, Texas) cover them or they may sustain a little damage from the freezing weather, but should be just fine come the spring. In fact, don't be surprised by flowers all winter, straight through June, in your Houston, Texas garden, as Snapdragons prefer the cooler weather.

Dianthus. These beautiful flowers are a great choice for your Houston, Texas garden because they easily survive the Houston, Texas winters. If the temperatures in your garden threaten to drop to 20 degrees or colder, you should cover them, but otherwise they tolerate freezing temperatures just fine.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.chron.com/apps/chron_data/plants.mpl