Still, some other plants can grow in mild winters. Root vegetables like garlic, carrots, and radishes grow well in cold temperatures. So do leafy greens like collards, kale, and cabbage. However, even most cold crops grow best if they're protected from frost and freezing temperatures.
Pansies and violas bloom for most of the winter in mild climates, and some types will rebound in the spring in cold climates. They're technically annuals, but many varieties drop seeds so they'll come back again next spring.
1. ZZ Plant. Alternatively known as the Arum Fern, the ZZ Plant is an iconic houseplant that is best known for its bright, green foliage. The defining quality of this plant, however, is the fact that it can withstand any degree of winter cold.
Evergreens are known for their ability to survive winter, but they aren't the only cold-tolerant, frost-resistant plants out there! Leafy vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, kale, collards, and chard can tolerate some frost.
Pansies. Remarkable as a winter plant, Pansies can survive freezing coldness and can thrive vigorously when summer returns. Its “smiling face” flowers are vibrant in color and fragrance that can fill up your space with so much joy.
Choose The Right Containers
Terra-cotta and ceramic pots absorb moisture, which expands as it freezes and cracks the container. Metal, concrete and wood containers typically handle freezes well, as do fiberglass and resin pots. Some plastic pots also survive winter fine, but may become brittle over time.
Contrary to popular belief, there are quite a few fruits that actually thrive in cold weather, like apricots, pears, and Mandarin oranges. If you're looking for delicious ideas for fruits that grow in winter, your options will depend on your location's USDA Plant Hardiness Zone.
Snowdrops. Galanthus nivalis, commonly referred to as snowdrops, grow well in zones 3 through 7. They are one of the earliest blooming flowers in the spring, often peeking up through the snow as early as February. They do best in well-drained soils and are well adapted to rock gardens.
Carrots, turnips, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, chard, and head lettuce can be harvested from under a blanket of snow. Scallions and fall leeks to the size of scallions can be harvested from under snow. Onions can remain in the garden under snow if a protective layer of mulch lies in between.
The start of winter brings cooler weather to the state, so December is the month to focus on plants and vegetables that can bear lower temperatures. Find out what you should plant this month with these suggestions based on the Florida climate zones.
While some plants are well adapted to the cold, a bad season can cause damage to even the hardier trees, shrubs, and perennials. Plants are vulnerable to a range of different damage throughout the winter season. Simply freezing, for those plants that are not cold tolerant, usually means death for the plant.
Most houseplants are tropicals and prefer temperatures between 65-75°F during the day and about 10 degrees cooler at night. For many plants, temperatures below 50°F can cause problems. Adjust thermostats to cater to your comfort, but remember your plants need some consideration.
If you're wondering at what temperature threshold you should be bringing your plants, there's a short answer: when nighttime temperatures reach 45 degrees (F), it's time to bring your plants indoors.
There are a few bulbs that are winter blooming flowers. Dainty and delicate, snowdrops (Galanthus) are true spring harbingers. No bigger than a dandelion, they bravely push through snow and even ice to grace the garden with their dangling white bell blooms.
Name: Helleborus sp. commonly known as winter rose or Hellebore. Belongs: to the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. Origins: Europe to western China. Flowering: Winter to early spring.
So what's the solution… Focus on frost hardy annuals. Some of these annuals that can withstand 20 degrees or so, including pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, alyssum, dusty miller, viola, and osteospermum. Keep in mind that flowers may be a bit ragged after such cold but the plants should make it through ok.
Perennials. The newly emerged growth of most perennials can tolerate temperatures in the low 30s and upper 20s °F. This includes many early emerging perennials such as bleeding heart, daylily, catmint, and columbine. In most cases, early leaf growth on these plants will be just fine with cold temperatures.
Most roses can withstand a quick cold snap of temperatures down to 10 degrees F, but it is best to protect them if you expect an extended period of time when temperatures dip under 20 degrees F. The amount of protection your roses need depends on the climate in which you live.
Plants to move inside: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and others that will not survive frost. Plants to cover: Potatoes, radishes, spinach, leaf lettuce, beets, mustard. Plants that do not need to be covered: Onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, turnips, kale.