Houston's Temperature Rollercoaster: What Your Sugar Land Yard Needs When We Go From 30s to 80s in a Week
By Todd Farber, Texas A&M Horticulturist | Serving Sugar Land Since 1991
If you live in Sugar Land, you know the drill: one day you're covering your jasmine vines with bed sheets, and three days later you're in shorts wondering if you should water. Welcome to Houston winter—where Mother Nature has commitment issues.
This week's temperature swing from the 30s back into the 80s has my phone blowing up with questions from Sienna, Telfair, and Sugar Creek homeowners. Everyone's asking the same thing: "What do I do NOW?"
After 33 years of watching Houston yards survive (and sometimes fail) these wild temperature swings, I've learned exactly what works. Let me walk you through it.
First Rule: Don't Panic (Seriously)
Your plants are tougher than you think. Most established Sugar Land landscapes have survived plenty of these freeze-thaw cycles. The 2021 freeze taught us which plants are true survivors in Zone 9, and guess what? Most of them bounced back just fine.
The biggest mistakes I see homeowners make happen in the warm-up period, not during the cold snap. So let's make sure you don't accidentally undo your plants' hard work.
What's Actually Happening to Your Plants Right Now
When temperatures drop into the 30s and then rocket back up, your plants go through something like jet lag. Their internal systems are confused. Think of it like your body trying to adjust after a cross-country flight—everything needs time to recalibrate.
Here's what's happening under the surface:
In your St. Augustine lawn: The grass went dormant to protect itself during the cold. Now that warmth is coming back, it's trying to decide whether to wake up or stay in survival mode. (Spoiler: It's too early. Don't encourage it yet.)
In your shrubs and perennials: Some cells froze, some didn't. The plant is running diagnostics to figure out what's salvageable. This takes weeks, not days.
In your trees: They barely noticed. Established trees in Sugar Land laugh at a brief cold snap. They'll be fine.
The "Wait and See" List (Don't Touch These Yet!)
I know the brown, crispy leaves on your plants are driving you crazy. I get it. But do not prune anything yet. Here's why:
Those damaged leaves and stems are actually protecting the healthy tissue underneath. When we get another cold snap in January or February (and we probably will), that dead foliage acts like a blanket.
Plants to leave alone for now:
Esperanza (yeah, it looks dead—it's not)
Lantana (it's playing possum)
Mexican Bush Sage (same deal)
Plumbago (give it until March)
Any tropical that looks questionable
When to prune: Wait until late February or early March when you see new growth emerging. Then cut back to just above the new green shoots.
What You Should Actually Do This Week
Okay, so if we're not pruning, what ARE we doing? Here's your game plan:
1. Water Selectively (Not Everything Needs It)
With temperatures heading back into the 80s, some plants will need water, but not all of them.
DO water:
Container plants (they dry out fast)
Newly planted shrubs from fall (less than 6 months old)
Any plant that was dry going into the freeze
DON'T water:
Your St. Augustine lawn (it's dormant—leave it alone)
Established trees and shrubs (they're fine)
Anything in soggy soil (feel the soil first!)
Pro tip for Sugar Land clay soil: Stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil. If it feels moist, skip the water. Our clay holds moisture like a sponge, and overwatering after a freeze causes more damage than the cold did.
2. Watch for Opportunistic Pests
This is the sneaky one most homeowners miss. When we get a warm-up after a cold snap, pests wake up before their predators do. It's like they hit the snooze button on the bugs that eat them.
Keep an eye out for:
Aphids on new growth (especially on roses and esperanza)
Scale insects on citrus and gardenias
Spider mites on just about everything
If you see pests, text me a photo. Usually a strong spray with the hose knocks them back, but sometimes we need to bring in reinforcements.
3. Hold Off on Fertilizer (I'm Begging You)
Every spring, without fail, someone fertilizes their lawn in January when we get a warm week. Then we get another freeze in February, and the new tender growth they just encouraged gets zapped.
Don't fertilize anything until:
Late February (earliest) for shrubs
March for St. Augustine lawns
After the last average freeze date (we're not there yet)
Your plants are still in "survival mode," not "grow mode." Feeding them now is like offering an espresso to someone who hasn't slept in three days. They need rest, not stimulation.
4. Assess Damage (But Don't Act Yet)
Take a walk around your yard and make notes on what looks rough. Take photos if it helps.
Signs a plant is fine (even if it looks dead):
Green when you scrape the bark with your fingernail
Stems that are still flexible, not brittle and snap off
New growth emerging at the base
Signs a plant might be toast:
Stems snap like dry twigs
No green under the bark anywhere
Mushy, black stems (this is rot, not freeze damage)
Even then, wait until March to make final calls. I've seen plants that looked 100% dead in January push out new growth in April. Give them time.
The Sugar Land-Specific Considerations
If you live in newer developments like Sienna or Telfair, your soil is probably more compacted clay than folks in older neighborhoods. This matters because:
Drainage is slower - Don't overwater thinking you're helping. You'll drown roots that are already stressed.
Soil temperature lags behind air temperature - Just because it's 80°F outside doesn't mean your soil has warmed up. Your plants know this, even if you don't.
Your microclimates matter - South-facing beds warm up faster than north-facing ones. Beds against brick walls get hotter faster. Pay attention to these differences.
What About My St. Augustine Lawn Specifically?
This is the #1 question I'm getting this week, so let's address it head-on.
Your St. Augustine lawn is dormant. It's brown because it went to sleep to survive the cold. This is completely normal and exactly what it's supposed to do.
Do not:
Fertilize it
Scalp it
Overseed it with ryegrass (too late now anyway)
Panic about the brown color
Do:
Leave it alone
Keep foot traffic to a minimum
Remove any heavy debris (fallen branches, leaves)
Wait patiently for green-up in March/April
If you absolutely must do something, gently rake up any matted leaves. That's it. Your lawn will thank you for the restraint.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Next Swing
Because let's be honest—this won't be the last temperature rollercoaster this winter. Here's how to be ready next time:
Keep frost cloth handy - If you covered plants this time, keep the cloth accessible. We'll probably need it again in January or early February.
Know your most vulnerable plants - Tropicals, new plantings, and anything in containers are your high-maintenance crew. Mark them mentally (or literally with stakes) so you can protect them quickly.
Don't plant anything new until March - I know the warm weather is tempting. Resist. Anything you plant now has to survive the next cold snap with zero root establishment. Wait until spring.
The Bottom Line (What Todd Really Wants You to Know)
After three decades of helping Sugar Land homeowners navigate Houston's crazy weather, here's what I've learned:
Your yard is more resilient than you think. Most damage I see happens from well-meaning homeowners doing too much, too soon. The plants that make it through our winters are the ones we leave alone to do their thing.
Patience pays off. I know those crispy leaves are ugly. I know you want to prune. But the homeowners with the best-looking yards in April are the ones who resisted the urge to "fix" things in January.
When in doubt, ask. That's literally why I'm here. Send me photos, ask questions, tell me what you're seeing. I'd rather answer a dozen questions now than help you replace dead plants in March because you pruned too early or overwatered.
Got Questions About Your Specific Yard?
This week's temperature swing affects every Sugar Land yard differently depending on your soil, sun exposure, plant selection, and drainage. If you're wondering whether your specific situation needs attention, I want to see it.
Text me photos of:
Plants that look questionable
Lawn areas that concern you
Anything you're not sure about
I'll give you honest, practical advice based on what I see—and yes, it's free. Just leave us a quick review on Google or Nextdoor after I help you. That's the deal.
📸 Text Your Photos: 281-208-4400
📧 Email Your Question: hi@askgardenguy.com
🌐 Submit Online: askgardenguy.com/advice
Todd Farber is a Texas A&M horticulture graduate who has been helping Sugar Land and Houston homeowners since 1991. Garden Guy has been voted Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite since 2021 and specializes in practical, no-BS landscaping advice for Zone 9 gardens.
Ready to transform your Sugar Land yard? Book a consultation or browse recently answered questions from your neighbors.
Related Articles You Might Need:
Best Freeze-Resistant Shrubs for Houston: Expert Guide from a Texas A&M Horticulturist
December Landscaping Checklist for Houston Homeowners: Your Complete Guide
Freeze-Proof Your Sienna, Telfair, or Sugar Creek Yard: Essential Lessons from a Local Expert
Tags: Sugar Land landscaping, Houston temperature swings, freeze damage, St. Augustine lawn care, Zone 9 gardening, Texas winter gardening, Sienna landscaping, Telfair yards, Sugar Creek gardens, post-freeze plant care
