This storm has given me a lot of time to ponder. Despite all of our scientific advances, YouTube tips and "best practices", I find myself still relying on things my grandmother taught me..."Old Wives Tales". I had the time - so I dug into one of these classics:
When winter storms hit, one of the simplest pieces of plant-care advice you’ll hear is:
“Group your plants together.”
It sounds almost too easy — maybe even a little old-fashioned. But there’s real plant science behind it, and understanding why it works can help you make better decisions during cold snaps, power outages, and dry winter conditions.
This isn’t a trick. It’s about how plants naturally protect themselves.
Plants Create Their Own Microclimate
Plants aren’t passive decorations. They’re living systems that constantly interact with their surroundings.
When plants are placed close together, they create a small shared environment — a microclimate — that is more stable than the surrounding air.
This happens naturally and quietly, without any intervention from us.
What Actually Changes When Plants Are Grouped Together
1. Local Humidity Increases
Plants release moisture through their leaves in a process called transpiration.
- A single plant releases moisture that quickly disperses • Several plants together allow that moisture to linger
That slightly higher humidity:
- reduces leaf drying
- protects tender tissue
- helps plants handle cold, dry indoor air
This is especially important during winter storms (like the current one) and power outages, when indoor air becomes very dry.
2. Air Movement Slows
Cold stress isn’t just about temperature — it’s also about drying.
When plants are grouped:
- air moves more slowly between leaves
- cold drafts are less damaging
- moisture loss happens more gradually
This is why plants near doors and windows often suffer first, and why moving them inward and grouping them helps.
3. Radiant Heat Loss Is Reduced
Leaves lose heat by radiating it toward colder surfaces like windows, walls, or night air.
When plants are clustered together:
- they “see” each other instead of cold surfaces
- radiant heat loss slows
- leaf temperature stays slightly higher
Even a small temperature difference can matter during short-term cold stress.
4. Stress Happens More Gradually
Under sudden cold or dry conditions, plants experience stress quickly.
Grouped plants tend to experience:
- slower temperature swings
- gentler moisture loss
- less abrupt stress signals
This gives plants time to adjust — and time often determines whether damage is temporary or severe.
What Grouping Plants Does Not Do
It’s important to be realistic.
Grouping plants together:
- does not make them freeze-proof
- does not replace proper temperatures
- does not justify overwatering or sealing plants airtight
It’s a buffer, not armor.
And buffers matter.
Why Gardeners Have Done This for Generations
Long before the word “microclimate” was common, gardeners (like my Grandma) understood this instinctively.
• Greenhouses are packed tighter on cold nights • Outdoor pots are moved closer together • Forest plants survive colder conditions than isolated plants
Nature rarely grows plants in isolation — and there’s a reason for that.
The Takeaway
Grouping plants together is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress during winter weather.
It doesn’t require special tools, products, or perfect conditions.
It simply works with how plants already behave — quietly, cooperatively, and effectively.
During storms, cold snaps, or power outages, small actions like this can make a real difference.
And when winter passes, your plants will thank you for it.
Stay Warm!
