The historic freeze that hit Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast this weekend is now giving way to some warmer temperatures. But homeowners may not know what to do with plants after this cold snap — or when to do it.
WPTV Treasure Coast Reporter Tyler Hatfield connected with Ian Pinder, general manager of Pinder’s Nursery in Martin County.
WATCH: Martin County nursery offers essential tips for recovery
Pinder said you can use the “scratch test” on plant bark to know if they’ll recover. Just take your fingernail and scratch the upper layer.
If it’s green, Pinder said the plant isn’t damaged and should recover. If the inside is brown and/or mushy, it has probably been frozen and is no good.
If you decide to prune, Pinder said only take off about a third of the total plant size.
Jennifer Lopez, owner of Life in Green Landscaping, also recommends lightly pruning, but wait to bring out any fertilizer.
“You don’t want to shock it more, because fertilization is slow release, so you want to hold off on that,” said Lopez.
The best advice, Lopez said, is to plant your patience.
“I would say a good three to four weeks, you’ll see growth in anything if you care for them properly,” said Lopez.
Here are some more tips to help plants recover and avoid causing more damage, from Sara MacDonald at the University of Florida/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County.
WATERING
Freezing temperatures dry out plants, so water them to help rehydrate. Damage to plants after a freeze can often show up weeks later. New spring growth will be a good gauge of what’s damaged and what’s not.
PRUNING
Don’t do any heavy pruning after the freeze, as it can stimulate vulnerable new growth that can be damaged by additional cold weather. Wait for warmer weather to fertilize. When you do prune, it’s helpful to scratch the bark to see the condition. If it’s green, it’s alive. If it’s brown or black, it’s dead.
LANDSCAPING AFTER FREEZE
Seeing brown grass is often normal after a freeze. Avoid fertilizing until spring.
WATCH OUT FOR:
Delayed or no spring bud breakWeak or uneven growthBranch dieback over time
The bottom line, according to MacDonald: Patience is key, as some plants recover slowly after a freeze.
MORE WPTV COVERAGE:
Weather News
Farmers cover crops with freezing temps in the forecast
Weather News
‘This was a little too cold’: Farmers tend to crops, animals during cold snap
Copyright 2026 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.