A simple, practical guide for keeping houseplants and gardens alive during extreme winter weather — and helping them recover afterward.
When a major winter storm hits, plants don’t need heroics — they need calm, steady care.
If you’re hunkered down this weekend with snow, ice, or power outages, this guide walks you through what actually helps… and what can wait.
BEFORE THE STORM (If you still have time)
Outdoor plants
- Water lightly before hard freezes if soil is dry (hydrated roots handle cold better)
- Mulch exposed soil if possible
- Cover tender plants with cloth (not plastic touching leaves)
Houseplants
- Move away from windows (cold radiates through glass)
- Group plants together (they create a warmer microclimate)
- Avoid heavy watering before cold snaps
Goal: reduce stress before it happens.
DURING THE STORM (Power outages & cold homes)
If heat or power goes out:
- Move plants into interior rooms or hallways
- Group them close together
- Cover loosely with cloth or towels at night
- Use battery-powered LEDs if light is completely gone
- Do not overwater — cold + wet roots are a common killer
What NOT to do
- Don’t fertilize
- Don’t prune
- Don’t “panic repot”
Plants in cold conditions slow down. Let them.
AFTER THE STORM (This is where people mess up)
First 48–72 hours
- Return plants gradually to normal locations
- Resume normal watering slowly
- Wait before pruning — freeze damage reveals itself over time
For outdoor plants
- Expect cosmetic damage
- New growth will tell you what survived
- Delay fertilization until active growth resumes
Gentle recovery
After stress, roots need stability more than stimulation.
If you already keep REV on hand:
- Use a light recovery drench once temperatures stabilize
- Focus on supporting the root zone
- Avoid pushing growth — recovery first, growth later
REV isn’t a rescue trick.
It’s a way to help roots regain balance after stress.
A little hope
Storms pass. Plants are tougher than they look.
And if you’re stuck inside, this is actually a great weekend to start seeds indoors — calmly, without rushing.
Simple reminder:
- Seed starting is about foundations, not perfection.
- Strong starts come from stable roots and patience.
Be Safe!
Stay safe. Stay warm.
If you have questions this weekend, we’re here — just like your plants, we’re riding this out together.
Happy Growing - Organic REV
