Desert gardening is typically seen as gardening in harsh heat and elements. However even in true deserts, there is potential for freezing temperatures. If cactus and succulent plants get too cold, especially during freezing temperatures at night, they have the chance of sustaining freeze damage. Particularly tall cacti and succulents can sag and droop during a long cool spell and have black spots during harsh cold weather.
Freeze Damaged Plants
Freeze damage on plants can not be reversed or repaired. Many times it is seen as black spots on the exposed portions of the plant. It may be on a small section of the plant or an entire area of the cacti/succulent. These black spots may become crisp and dry. While not reversible, many times the damage is only temporary, even after it has been subjected to a long cold spell. This temporary freeze damage can just be cosmetic and the plant may be able to grow out of it and be fine. A plant that has been damaged by cold may take years to grow out of and start looking like a healthy cacti or succulent again.
Preventing Freeze Damage
To prevent freeze and cold damage, find the temperature requirements of the plants used. Planting particularly sensitive plants should be placed by walls or hills, areas that will have a radiated heat during the evening. Being out in the open as a lone plant has the ability to get cold wind damage and be subjected to lower temperatures than plants with some windscreens. Coverings also keep cold from getting to sensitive succulents and cacti, using cotton to lightly over during the evening. Use cotton if a covering prevention is the method chosen as plastic can freeze a plant wherever it touches it due to poor insulation.
Container Succulents and Cacti
Using containers to plant your cacti and succulents in is a good idea, as they can be brought indoors during particularly cold snaps or hard freezes. They can also be put near walls and hills so that they can get the night heat radiation. They have the most portability which can make them easier to move around during weather changes. Using containers can help if you are in a particular geographic area where there are frequent cold nights.
Finding black spots or a saggy arm on a succulent or cacti isn’t the end of your desert garden. There are ways to prevent freeze and cold damage and there are some plants that can grow out of their damage.
Source:
University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
