PHOTO BY LOBACHEVA INA VIA UNSPLASH.COM
The recent cold snap across Central Florida has left the majority of local home gardens damaged and frosty. Still, Disney’s horticulture team says many plants can recover with a little bit of patience and proper care.
Walt Disney World maintains thousands of plants across its resort, many of them tropical species that experience cold stress during winter temperature drops. According to guidance shared by Disney horticulture experts, plants that appear wilted or severely damaged after a freeze are often still alive below the surface and can come back once temperatures stabilize.
For softer, herbaceous plants like ginger, banana, heliconia, and ferns, Disney recommends removing any portions that are mushy, dark brown, or black. These stems can be cut back to the ground, while heavily drooping or collapsed leaves should also be cleared away to prevent rot. Cleaning up damaged material and applying mulch or pine straw helps protect roots and retain warmth as plants recover.
Woody shrubs like hibiscus, bougainvillea, ixora, and croton may look a little dramatic after a freeze, but often recover well if pruned at the right time. Disney’s horticulture team advises waiting until spring for major pruning, allowing plants to show where new growth is emerging before making any heavy cuts. Light cleanup, like removing dead leaves, can be done a few days after the freeze to tidy up beds.
To determine whether branches are alive, Disney horticulturists use a simple method known as the “scratch test.” By gently scraping away a small section of bark, gardeners can check the tissue underneath. Green and moist tissue shows that the branch is still alive, while brown or dry tissue means it is dead. Cuts should be made just below the point where healthy green tissue appears.
The key message from Disney’s team is to have a little patience.
