Troubleshooting worksheet
Frost damage
Leaves or stems turn water-soaked, dark, limp, translucent, or brittle after freezing temperatures.
Look before acting
A visual match narrows questions. It does not prove a diagnosis.
Compare the location, pattern, affected plant parts, recent weather, watering, and changes in care before choosing a response.
Possible causes
Keep the list open at first.
01Radiational frost
02Hard freeze
03Cold wind
04Contact with an inadequate cover
05Chilling injury above freezing
Questions to answer
Look at the whole plant and root zone.
- What minimum temperature and duration occurred?
- Is the growing point still firm?
- Are stems green beneath the surface?
- Was the cover touching foliage?
Low-risk actions
Change one thing at a time.
- Wait until tissue thaws before judging damage.
- Protect surviving plants from another cold night.
- Delay pruning until living boundaries are clear.
- Replace annuals whose growing points are dead when the season permits.
Working checklist