Coneflowers like we all know like to get a good amount of sun per day.
They are also heat and drought resistant and some rookie coneflower gardeners have wondered if these plants can survive frost.
Coneflowers are derived from wildflowers and therefore they can survive cold weather.
Coneflowers can survive frost on their own and deadheading them can also help to keep them safe further.
However, if you live in a colder climate than their natural habitat, it is advisable that you give them some winter protection.
This article will discuss the effects of frost on plants as well as the ways you can help them survive the winter.
What Effects Does Frost Have on Plants?
Frost can occur in two ways and they can both affect your plants. Preparation against frost damage in your plants is one of the major concerns of gardeners.
A light frost develops when the air temperature falls below zero but the average temp does not.
Whenever the air is chilly and the ground is firm, a hard frost forms.
Many plants can withstand the occasional light frost, but this is not always the case with heavy frost.
The consequences of minor frost might range from browning or burning of leaves to full stem collapse.
As a result, it’s usually a good idea to give some frost protection to all of your plants.
A mild frost can damage tender and immature plants, including tropical and subtropical types. The water inside the plant crystallizes when it becomes chilly.
When it warms up, it slices the inside of the plant, allowing moisture to escape and ultimately killing it.
Frost damage occurs when the stem freezes around the flag leaf or in the boot of legume pods and seeds, canola pods, flowers and seeds, cereal grains, blooms, or complete heads.
Frost-sensitive crops include flowering wheat, triticale, podding canola, and field peas. The most tolerable grains are barley and oats.
Here is an article I wrote on how much water do coneflowers need
Can Coneflowers Survive Frost?
Coneflowers are hardy perennial plants that are frost-resistant and require little care.
With or without deadheading your coneflowers, they will do well during winter and will not get frost damage.
It is not required to cut back coneflowers at the end of the blooming season. While this will not harm your plant, many birds will.
Because this is a perennial, if a harsh cold snap freezes the back portion of the foliage, the plant will re-emerge in the spring as long as the roots are not frozen.
Potted coneflowers however might need a little more care than those in the ground during winter. They require more water as potted soil dries out faster.
Young coneflowers might also require some frost protection so their stems are not damaged. After the stress of the winter, you will be rewarded with blooming healthy plants.
Do Coneflowers Need Frost Protection?
Apart from mulching or deadheading, frost protection is another good method to prevent frost damage in plants.
Frost protection is the act of using cover on plants such as a sleeping bag, burlap, blankets or even old clothes.
Coneflowers do not necessarily require frost protection or winter cover.
However, if you are in a climate that is very chilly, you might want to consider giving your plants frost protection.
It is usually better to bring potted coneflowers indoors rather than give them a frost cover.
Potted plants are more vulnerable to frost than in the ground as they do not have the necessary insulation.
That way you check on them everyday and ensure the young seedlings (if any) are not affected.
What is the Lowest Temperature Coneflowers Can Tolerate?
Coneflower as a prairie plant, thrives in hot, dry climates but can tolerate a range of temperature and humidity fluctuations.
However, they do not thrive in extremely humid climates or in regions where the soil remains wet.
There is no exact temperature they can withstand as their hardiness also depends on the variety and cultivar.
Purple coneflowers for example are one the hardiest cultivars and can be found anywhere around the world.
If you live in an area that gets extremely cold weather then it’s best if your plants are prepared and covered for winter.
Also check out this article on how to transport coneflowers
How to Protect Coneflowers From Frost?
The best protection against frost damage for coneflowers is to mulch the root zone with an organic barrier up to 4 inches deep and to cover plants with a frost cover.
Move tender coneflowers to a more sheltered location, such as under the eaves of a porch or into sheltered corners, where cold air cannot penetrate and water supplies will not freeze.
Place potted Coneflowers on a table, porch, or balcony, which will be warmer than the ground.
Cover pots with a light frost blanket to retain heat and prevent cracking in freezing temperatures.
Select frost-resistant varieties of coneflower that thrive in your climate zone so that you are less stressed during the winter.
What Temperature is Too Hot for Coneflowers?
Coneflowers do quite well in heat as they are drought and heat tolerant. As mature plants, you do not have to worry about them as long as you water them from time to time.
When planting coneflowers, it is best to plant them during spring or fall.
Coneflowers seedlings will not grow if they planted in temperatures less that 65°C. The heat is usually too much for the plants.
Whenever you plant coneflowers, ensure they get enough sun and light, water and organic materials.
Conclusion
Coneflowers are strong to withstand what some other plants cannot. As such they can easily withstand and survive frost during the cold periods.
They do not require deadheading and frost protection during winter. Although younger and potted plants are often more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
You should not be worried about your plants as winter approaches. Make sure they are healthy, and follow the tips we have outlined below.
