Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Can Cactus Freeze?
Can Cactus Freeze?. Even the most novice gardeners are aware that plants can and will freeze when weather temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Several different factors help determine how susceptible a particular cactus is to freezing, including how well suited the plant is for its specific environment, how long it has been in the ground...
Even the most novice gardeners are aware that plants can and will freeze when weather temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Several different factors help determine how susceptible a particular cactus is to freezing, including how well suited the plant is for its specific environment, how long it has been in the ground and what type of protection the gardener provides for it.
Cactus Basics
Cacti are plants that have evolved to survive in harsh, hot climates with little water availability. Cacti are designed to limit evaporation and therefore contain a significant amount of moisture and liquid, an adaptation that enables them to survive for long periods of time without rainfall. Because the deserts where cacti come from are capable of both extreme heat and extreme cold, well-established cacti may be able to survive freezing temperatures but can freeze during unusually cold weather.
Types of Cacti
Some varieties of cacti are better suited for dealing with freezing temperatures and cold climates than others. If you want your cactus to survive in temperatures where plants can freeze, select a variety of cactus that is adapted to do so. Frost and freeze resistant cacti varieties include the Golden Ball cactus, Agave cacti, Prickly Pear cacti, Aloe cacti and Yucca cacti. Research cacti that survive well in your particular area and climate before planting to ensure making a good choice.
Age of Cacti
As a general rule of thumb, older, well-established cacti better withstand the ups and downs of extreme weather than young, newly planted specimens. Planting your cacti during the warmer parts of the year helps ensure it has become well established in the soil before cold weather can threaten to freeze it.
Protection
Paying attention to frost and freeze warnings in your area will also help prevent your cactus plant from freezing. Placing a cardboard box or fabric over the plant to protect it during cold weather can help prevent freezing, as will planting the cactus in an area where it receives maximum sunlight and minimal wind and weather exposure. Indoor cacti are highly unlikely to freeze.
