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Frost Sensitive Plants

Feb 192 min read

In Eastern Massachusetts, the average first frost date is between October 1st and 15th. And, New Englander’s know that when we get a frost warning, it’s time to cover plants, or bring them indoors when you can.


Do you know which plants need this special care? If not, we’re here to help. The plant list below will tell you which plants typically need to be brought indoors, covered, or otherwise protected when frost is expected. Some perennials can survive a cold Massachusetts winter if they're mulched heavily or grown in more sheltered locations, but many will need to be treated as annuals or moved indoors over the winter. For example, you can grow the same Dahlia tubers year to year, but you’ll want to dig up and store the tubers indoors until Spring. If you want to learn more about which plants you’ll want to consider storing for the winter, check out our Tender Perennials to Winter Indoors, website post.


Frost-Sensitive Annuals

  • Marigolds (Tagetes)

  • Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)

  • Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

  • Begonias (Begonia spp.)

  • Petunias (Petunia spp.)

  • Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)

  • Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

  • Morning Glories (Ipomoea spp.)

  • Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)

  • Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)


Frost-Sensitive Perennials

  • Dahlias (Dahlia spp.)

  • Cannas (Canna spp.)

  • Elephant Ears (Colocasia spp.)

  • Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)

  • Tender Ferns (e.g., Boston Fern)

  • Tuberous Begonias (Begonia tuberhybrida)

  • Fuchsias (Fuchsia spp.)

  • Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)

  • Salvia (Salvia splendens)

  • New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)


Frost-Sensitive Vegetables and Herbs


By our first frost, most of these plants will have been harvested, done growing, and/or dying off. However, in case you have some particularly robust plants or we have an especially early frost, keep the following plants in mind during a frost warning.

  • Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)

  • Peppers (Capsicum spp.)

  • Eggplants (Solanum melongena)

  • Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

  • Squash (Cucurbita spp.)

  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

  • Beans (Phaseolus spp.)

  • Corn (Zea mays)

  • Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

  • Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo)

  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

  • Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

  • Dill (Anethum graveolens)

  • Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

  • Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)


Frost-Sensitive Flowering Shrubs

  • Hydrangeas (some varieties, e.g., Hydrangea macrophylla)

  • Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

  • Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)


Thanks for reading! Check out more advice and plant-facts at newenglandnurseries.com.

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