How to Care for Plants After a Freeze in Houston

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After a freeze, Houston gardeners may be wondering what to do with their brown, droopy plants. Skip Richter, host of the Gardenline radio show, provides a timeline and advice on when to prune, how to check for life using the scratch test, and other care tips like avoiding immediate fertilization and adding mulch to protect root zones. Richter cautions against rushing to cut back plants, as many will regrow from the crown, and encourages homeowners to "live with ugly" for a bit to prevent further damage.

Why it matters

Houston's subtropical climate means plants can be sensitive to rare freezing temperatures, which can cause significant damage above ground even if the roots survive. Knowing how to properly assess and care for plants after a freeze can help homeowners revive their gardens and landscapes.

The details

Richter advises against immediately pruning back plants after a freeze, as the damage may not be as severe as it appears. He recommends doing a "scratch test" by lightly scraping the bark to check for green, living tissue underneath. If the tissue is brown, the branch is likely dead. Richter also cautions against fertilizing too soon, as that can further stress the plants. Instead, he suggests adding mulch to protect the root zone and help the soil temperature recover. For larger shrubs and trees, Richter recommends consulting a professional, as improper pruning can lead to further damage.

• After a freeze, it can take a few days of warmer weather for the full extent of the damage to become clear.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Skip Richter will be a special guest at the upcoming Houston Home and Garden Show at NRG Park this weekend, where he can provide additional gardening advice and tips.