Freeze Data for Plants in Houston
by Donald Ray Burger
Attorney at Law

This is an alphabetical listing of plants and what I know about their freeze tolerance.

Abelia (Abelia grandiflora). Evergreen shrub in Houston. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Aloe vera Protect from freeze. Bring it in if the temperature approaches 28.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana). Native perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Anacharis ___. Water growing perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it. Even when the whiskey barrel pond freezes over this plant does ok. Of course, our freezes don't last all that long.

Apple, Reverend Morgan Atlaspur. Apple tree. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Asian Jasmine (Trachelosjermum asiaticum). Perennial vine used as a groundcover. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorun Sprengeri). Perennial fern. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Aztec Sweet Herb (Lippia dulcis). Perennial. It dies back in Houston winters, but comes back from the roots if mulched.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum). Annual herb. Doesn't like even cool weather. I have tried to keep it alive in the garage over winter, but have not been succesful. Dies in winter. Plant new basil in the spring.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma).Perennial. No good info.

Begonia (Semperflorens begonia, 'Whiskey.') This is a hardy perennial. Doesn't like the cold. I bring the ones in pots in with low 30's.

Blackberry, Rosborough (Rosaceae 'Rosborough').Blackberry. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). This is a great tree for Houston. It produces dependable fall color even in mild winters. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis). Annual. Plant in the fall. It will die back in freeze but roots remain hardy.

Blue Daze (Evolvulus nuttallianus). Annual. Dies in winter.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis). A freeze will knock it down, but it will sometimes come back from the roots if thoroughly mulched.

Bridal Wreath Spiraea (Spiraea Vanhouttei). My plant is in the ground. I have piled leaves up as a mulch. It has come back fine.

Bromeliad (Bromelia spp). Stemless perennnials. Members of the pineapple family. Protect from freeze.

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) This tree has no freeze problems.

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) Perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.Somne gardeners have reported that it will die in hard winters.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Perennial. Mine have taken the winters since 1995 without ill effect.

Caladiums (Caladium bicolor). Annual. They die in the winter.

Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis). Evergreen vine. I can't remember how this does.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum). Perennial herb. I have had this herb overwinter on occassion without protection .

Cilantro(Coriandrum sativum). Cool weather annual here. Also called corander and chinese parsley. Excellent leaf for authentic salsa. Great on fajitas. We can usually plant it from seeds by mid-October. It thrives in cool weather and can stand temperatures as low as we ever get in Houston. It is reported to do ok to about 15 degrees F.

Coleus (Coleus hybridus). Annual. Dies in winter. In the fall, take cuttings for next spring.

Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Coreopsis Moonbeam (Coreopsis grandiflora "moonbeam.") Perennial. Comes back in Spring without any protection.

Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroenia indica). Deciduous tree. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Cyclamen (Primulaceae spp). Annual here. Cyclamens like winter, but I bring mine in if it is going to go below 26, although I have heard they can take temperatures down to 22 degrees.

Dill (Anethum graveolens). Annual herb. Dies in winter.

Dwarf Crapemyrtle, Baton Rouge Lagerstroemia indica "Baton Rouge"). Perennial shrub in Houston. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Dwarf Nandina (Nandina domestica "Harbour Dwarf"). Perennial shrub. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria "Nana"). Perennial shrub. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Fennel (Foenicululm vulgare) Herb. Dies in winter.

Firebush (Hamelia patens). Perennial. Freezes to the ground if we get an especially cold winter. It will come back, although it does not bloom until mid-summer if it freezes.

Giant Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus). Perennial. Will freeze back but is root hardy. Slow to rebloom.

Ginger (Zingiberaceae 'Dwarf Bamboo.') Tops will freeze but, if mulched, this plant will come back from the roots.

Glossy Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)This is a perennial shrub here in Houston in all but the most severe winter.

Gulf Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris). Perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Hardy Orchid (Bletilla striata). Perennial. Mulch to protect from hard freeze.

Hibiscus(Hibiscus spp)Perennial, if you move it inside during the winter. This is a tropical perennial. It will not survive Houston winters. Some of mine that were planted in the ground came back but they did not bloom much until October. Keep them in pots and move them inside when the weather turns cold.

Honey Babe Minature Peach(Rosaceae Prunus persica). This is a self-fruitful freestone peach. No problem unless blooms nipped by a late frost.

Hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab). Treat as an annual vine in Houston. Usually comes back from roots if the winter is mild.

Ice plant (Aizoaceae aptenia). Perennial succulent in Houston, but doesn't like the cold. Mine dies in winter.

Impatiens (Impatiens spp). Annual. Gone by winter.

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa). Perennial. Plant in the fall. It will die back in freeze but roots remain hardy.

Inland Sea Oats (Chasmarthium latifolium). Perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Jade Plant(Crassula argentea). Succulent. Cannot take the cold. Protect from freeze.

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe ssp).Tender perennial in Houston. Protect from cold weather.

Katie's Ruellia (Ruellia brittoniana "Katie"). Perennial. I mulched mine with leaves and it did fine.

Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzintina). Perennial. Can't remember how it winters.

Lantana (Lantata camara). Evergreen shrub. Blooms from spring until frost. Sometimes comes back from freeze.

Leatherwood (Cyrilla racemiflora). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogan citratus). Perenial in Houston. Freezes back to roots but comes back strong.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha). Perennial. Can't remember freeze data.

Mexican Lime(Rutaceae ______). Not cold tolerant. Grow in pots and bring in when even high 30's are expected. This tree will suffer damage even at 32 degrees F.

Mexican Mint Marigold - Texas Tarragon (Tagetes lucida). This perennial herb is the Houston substitute for Tarragon, which will not grow here. It is root hardy, but the tops may freeze some.

Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens). Perennial. Survives mild winters. May freeze if it get really cold.

Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana). This is a small tree. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha). Can take temperatures into the mid twenties.

Meyer Lemon(Citrus limon "Meyer"). The lemon plant for Houston. Supposed to take our (mild) winters. Does begin to suffer at 30 degrees F.

Mid-Pride Peach (Rosaceae Prunus persica) No problem unless blooms nipped.

Mother-in Law's Tongue This plant will freeze and die. Bring it in before it reaches 28. Throw it away if you forget.

Mussaenda (Mussdaenda ssp). Tender perennial which suffers when temperatures dip into the 40's. Will often survive winter if heavily mulched. Slow to come back, however. I keep a small plant in a clay pot in the garage in winter. I put my others in the landscape. That way, if we have an especially rough winter, I still have stems with which to start more cuttings. I know this is a lot of work, but I love this plant.

Parsley (Petroselmon crispum). Annual in Houston. Likes cool weather. Plant in fall. Dies in winter.

Parsley Hawthorne (Crataegus marshallii). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Passionflower vine (Passiflora spp) I mulch stem and root area. Dies back to roots but comes back strong.

Passionflower vine, crimson (passiflora vitifolia) I have heard that the red passionflower vine is much less winter hardy than the purple-blue one but mine came back from the roots. Mulch the stem and roots.

Pentas(Pentas laceolata)If we have a mild winter it will survive. In the winter of 1995 I lost some pentas, but not all of them.Slow to come back.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Perennial. Will come back from roots. No special care needed for freeze protection.

Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) Perennial. Came back from roots.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum "Wonderful"). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'). I have heard this grass doesn't do well in our winter.

Pyracantha (Pyracantha koidzumii "Victory"). This is an evergreen shrub in Houston. Beautiful red berries provide needed winter color. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Red Bud (Cercis candensis). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Red Maple, "Woodlands" (Acer rubrum "Woodland"). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Most rosemary plants do fine with Houston winters with no special care. "Arp" is especially cold tolerant.

Roses (Rosa). Click here for rose protection.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta). Some sagos in Houston have frozen back but most of them did not die. They came back strong within a year.

Salvia, Lady-in-Red (Salvia ____). This salvia can overwinter here in mild winters.

Salvia, Victoria (Salvia ____). White. This salvia can overwinter here, even if we get to 25 degrees.

Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium sp.). Perennials. Scented geraniums will suffer damage at mid 30's and below. Keep them in clay pots and take them inside.

Shrimp Plant (Justicia Brandegeana) Perennial. Dies to the ground in a freeze, but comes back from the roots. Mulch root zone.

Snap Dragons (Antirrhinum spp.). Annual. This is a cool weather plant in Houston. Protect with freeze cloth from prolonged freeze.

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea). Perennial. Handles Houston winters without difficulty.

Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum). Perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata). Perennial herb. Dies back in winter but comes back from roots.

Starfish Flower(Stapelia nobilis) This is a perennial in Houston. Tender perennial. Bring inside if freeze expected.

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). Perennial. It stays green long into winter and comes back strong in the spring. The roots grow all winter so keep it watered in December and January if we don't get rain.

Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis). Perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima "Carpet of Snow." Annual. Can take temperatures into the teens.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). Perennial. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Texas Lantana (Lantana horrida). This is an easy to grow perennial. It freezes back if we have a hard winter but usually comes back strong.

Texas Mountain Laurel (Sopora secundiflora). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Texas Sabal Palm (Sabal texana). This is the most freeze tolerant palm for Houston.Plam people recommend wraping the trunks with attic insulation (foil side out). I have done that but it is probably not necesary unless temperatures drop below 25 degrees.

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens). Perennial shrub. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Thunbergia Grandiflora Acanthaceae grandiflora). Perennial vine. Freezes in winter but comes back from its roots.

Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera senpervirens). Evergreen vine. Can't rememeber.

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans). Deciduous vine. Can't remember.

Umbrella Plant, dwarf (Cyperus a. nana "Dwarf Umbrella Plant") Perennial water garden plant. Has survived a couple of winters even when the water froze for a short time.

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera). Evergreen tree. I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Wood Fern (Dryopleris normalis). Perennial. Freezes to ground but usually comes back from the roots.

Yarrow (Achillea spp.). Perennial. Freezes to ground but comes back from roots.

Yaupon Holly, Weeping (Ilex vomitoria). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Yaupon Holly, Saratoga (Ilex vomitoria). I have never had any freeze problems with this plant. I take no special steps to protect it.

Yellow Alder (Turnera ulmfolia). Perennial. Yellow blooms from spring to frost. Don't know how it winters.

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