How to Tell if Your Plants Survived the San Antonio Winter

Local experts share tips on assessing plant health after freezing temperatures hit the area.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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After a recent cold snap in San Antonio, many local residents are unsure if their plants have survived the winter weather. Gardening experts advise checking the roots and stems for signs of life, rather than just looking at the leaves, and waiting until spring to prune any damaged plants.

Why it matters

With unpredictable winter weather becoming more common, understanding how to properly assess plant health after a freeze is crucial for San Antonio gardeners to avoid prematurely discarding plants that may still recover.

The details

According to Brandon Kirby, owner of Rainbow Gardens, the best way to check if a plant is still alive is to dig down to the base and inspect the roots. Healthy roots will be white and pliable, while black, slimy or mushy roots indicate the plant did not survive. Leaf damage alone does not mean a plant is dead, as many will simply go dormant and push out new growth. For trees, Kirby recommends checking the branch tips for emerging buds, and for palms and cacti, cutting back damaged areas until healthy tissue is found. Gardeners should wait at least 10 days after the last freeze before pruning any damaged plants.

  • After a recent cold snap hit the San Antonio area.

The players

Brandon Kirby

Owner of Rainbow Gardens, a local gardening expert.

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What they’re saying

“The best way to check if your plant is alive is to scratch the trunk or dig down to the dirt and look at the roots.”

— Brandon Kirby, Owner, Rainbow Gardens (ksat.com)

“If the roots are gone, the plant won't come back.”

— Brandon Kirby, Owner, Rainbow Gardens (ksat.com)

“If you see green underneath and it's moist, that's a really good sign.”

— Brandon Kirby, Owner, Rainbow Gardens (ksat.com)

What’s next

Gardeners should wait until at least 10 days after the last freeze before pruning any damaged plants, to give them time to potentially recover.

The takeaway

With unpredictable winter weather becoming more common in San Antonio, learning how to properly assess plant health after a freeze is crucial for local gardeners. By checking the roots and stems for signs of life, rather than just looking at the leaves, and waiting until spring to prune, many plants that appear damaged may still be able to recover.