Frost damage can look scary - but don’t panic and don’t start cutting everything down immediately.
Here’s what to do:
• Wait a few days before pruning. Some damage looks worse than it is.
• Scratch test stems - if it’s green underneath, it’s alive.
• Prune only the dead growth once temperatures warm back up. Cut to healthy tissue.
• Avoid heavy watering. Cold + soggy soil = root rot. Keep soil lightly moist only.
• Hold fertilizer until you see new growth. Feeding too early stresses the plant.
Many tropicals in Central Florida (crotons, cordyline, hibiscus, ixora, etc.) will push new growth from the base once we’re consistently warm again.
Give your plants time. Warm weather fixes a lot.




Watering Schedule:

When planting trees and shrubs in Central Florida, it's beneficial to use a starter fertilizer to promote healthy root development and establishment. A balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio such as 10-10-10 provides essential nutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) in equal amounts.
It's generally recommended to fertilize trees and shrubs twice a year: once in Early Spring (around March) and again in Late Fall (around November). However, it's important to follow specific plant needs and soil test results to avoid over-fertilization.
Controlled-release fertilizer usually comes in granular form and is often recommended for its gradual nutrient release. You can purchase fertilizers at ACE Hardware, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and/or online.
We will soon offer our special blend fertilizer that is particular to Central Florida's soil composition.

Podocarpus, Ligustrum (Waxleaf / Jack Frost), Viburnum, Boxwood, Sky Pencil Holly, Wax Myrtle.
- Best Time to Plant: October - February
- Acceptable: March - April
- Avoid: May - September
Notes: Best planted in cool months. Summer planting needs daily watering at first.

Gardenia Frostproof, Gardenia August Beauty, Loropetalums
- Best Time to Plant: October - March
- Acceptable: March - April
- Avoid: May - September
Notes: Flowering suffers if roots are stressed. Cold won’t hurt these - heat will.

Leyland Cypress, Italian Cypress, Juniper Spartan, Magnolia, Crape Myrtle
- Best Time to Plant: November - February
- Acceptable: March
- Avoid: April - September
Notes: Trees planted in winter establish roots before heat = faster growth next year.

Croton Petra, Croton Mammy, Hibiscuses, Trinettes, Bottle Brush, Ixoras
- Best Time to Plant: March - August
- Acceptable: September, October
- Avoid: November - February
Notes: These hate cold soil. Planting in winter = stalled growth or damage.

Blue Daze, Blue My Mind, Firecracker
- Best Time to Plant: March - September
- Acceptable: October
- Avoid: November - February
Notes: Full sun + summer = burn unless irrigated and mulched.

Areca, Roebellini, Sago
- Best Time to Plant: March - August
- Acceptable: September - November
- Avoid: December - February
Notes: Warm soil only. Cold months slow or stop root growth.
Elizabeth Murray
Copyright © 2026 Fort Christmas Nursery - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience.