From Frost to Flourish: Landscaping Tips Post-Freeze
Last month’s cold front left its mark across Central Florida’s landscape. Many of us in Viera are seeing browned palm fronds, wilted shrubs, and plants that look far from their usual tropical selves. While it may be tempting to start trimming and replacing plants immediately, horticulture experts recommend taking a slower, more patient approach to help your landscape recover.
According to guidance from the University of Florida’s UF/IFAS Extension program, plants that experience freeze damage often recover with time and proper care. The key is knowing what steps to take, and what not to do, while your landscape rebounds.
Be Patient Before Pruning
One of the most common mistakes after a cold snap is pruning too early. While damaged leaves and stems may look unsightly, they actually help insulate the plant and protect living tissue underneath. Removing them too soon can expose plants to additional stress or encourage new growth that could be vulnerable if another cold front arrives.
In many cases, it’s best to wait until warmer weather arrives and new growth begins to appear before making major cuts. This makes it easier to identify which portion of a plant are truly dead and which parts are still alive.
Check Soil Moisture
Freeze events can leave plants dehydrated, especially when cold temperatures and wind remove moisture from leaves and stems. Watering the soil around plants helps rehydrate stressed roots and allows them to begin recovering. Even plants that appear damaged still need water to support regrowth.
Hold Off on Fertilizing
Another common instinct is to fertilize plants to “bring them back to life,” but experts advise waiting until temperatures warm consistently. Fertilizing too early can trigger new growth before plants are ready, which can make them more vulnerable to additional cold damage. Once spring growth naturally begins, fertilizer can help support recovery.
Learn More with Florida-Friendly Landscaping Resources
If you’re unsure about what your specific plants need after a freeze, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide is a helpful resource for homeowners. Available as a free mobile app or through any web browser, the guide allows you to search plants by name and learn about their light, soil, and water requirements which will help you make informed decisions about plant care or replacements.
Upcoming Gardening Workshop
For those interested in learning more about proper pruning techniques, UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County will be hosting an upcoming workshop:
“Prune Like a Professional!”
Friday, March 27 | 10:00 AM | Brevard Discovery Garden – 3695 Lake Dr., Cocoa
Participants will learn hands-on pruning techniques from Brevard County Urban Horticulture Agent Sally Scalera while walking through the educational Discovery Garden. The class will cover how to properly remove dead or diseased plant material to promote healthy growth.
Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pruning-like-a-pro-tickets-1983957557461?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawQekdJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe73TvUyspOinPQ5WC8UAJ0d5RgQ-skyggDn9R8f2mEq-UXQWNTpNUJ7jkwLo_aem_DvGNYkLRJt-NJrQzweP1Eg
For residents who want to dive even deeper into Florida gardening, UF IFAS Extension Brevard County is also offering a comprehensive 8-week Florida-Friendly Landscaping course beginning in April.
Begins April 7th and meets every Tuesday following for 8 weeks | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This course covers topics such as botany basics, soil health, native platns, landscape design, edible gardening, pest management, and proper care of lawns, palms, and trees. Participatns will also learn how Florida-Friendly landscaping practices help to protect the water quality of both the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Johns River.
The full 8-week course is $97.88 and requires advanced registration. More details and ticket purchase can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-florida-friendly-landscaping-class-8-week-series-tickets-1734222940499?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawQempBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeJh6wmdJdzxgVklXLDx7ahhL8qViSz0sIMv9yCgtKdx0oluIgrUkDhW_plPk_aem_2SitEUBF9Dav3H6QcGp-7Q
Give Your Plants Time to Recover
Cold-damaged landscapes can look discouraging, but Florida plants are often more resilient than they appear. With a little patience and proper care, many plants will begin pushing new growth as temperatures rise. Over the next several weeks, keep an eye out for fresh buds and shoots they’re often the first sign that your landscape is on the road to recovery.