Frost Tolerant Plants That Thrive in Cold Weather

Frost can be a gardener’s biggest challenge — one cold night is all it takes to damage delicate foliage or kill off tender new growth. But don’t worry: not all plants are afraid of a chill. In fact, many species not only survive frost, they thrive in it.

Whether you live in a frost-prone area or are prepping your garden for winter, this guide will help you discover the best frost-tolerant plants for Australian conditions — including hardy flowering shrubs, trees, grasses, and groundcovers that can handle sub-zero temperatures with ease.

What Is Frost and Why Does It Matter?

Frost forms when cold air causes surface temperatures to drop below 0°C, freezing the moisture on leaves and stems. This can:

Damage or blacken tender foliage
Kill new buds or shoots
Ruin flowering and fruiting cycles
Lead to dieback in sensitive species

The key to a resilient winter garden is planting species that can naturally tolerate frost — especially if you're in areas like Canberra, Orange, Armidale, the Adelaide Hills, or elevated parts of Victoria, NSW and QLD.

Best Frost-Tolerant Plants for Australian Gardens

🌸 1. Camellia japonica

Known for its beautiful winter blooms, Camellia japonica handles frost surprisingly well once established.

Position: Morning sun, protection from harsh afternoon light
Height: 2–4m
Flowers: Red, pink, white — blooms from autumn into winter
Bonus: Great in pots or hedges

🌳 2. Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)

A stunning deciduous tree with blazing autumn colour and excellent frost tolerance.

Height: 6–8m
Foliage: Fiery red and orange in autumn
Frost rating: Down to –6°C
Best for: Driveways, feature trees, country properties

🌿 3. Lomandra longifolia

A hardy, strappy-leafed grass perfect for borders, mass planting, or erosion control.

Height: 50cm–1m
Tolerates: Frost, drought, poor soil
Low maintenance: No pruning needed
Varieties to try: ‘Tanika’, ‘Nyalla’, ‘Katrinus Deluxe’

🪴 4. Correa (Native Fuchsia)

A native shrub with tubular flowers loved by birds and bees — and tough as nails in frost.

Height: 1–2m
Flowers: Pink, red, or green in winter
Frost rating: Very high
Great for: Shady gardens, native hedging, winter interest

🌺 5. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Mediterranean by origin, lavender copes surprisingly well with cold, especially in well-drained soil.

Height: 50cm–1.2m
Foliage: Silvery grey
Flowers: Purple spikes, excellent for pollinators
Varieties to try: English Lavender (‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’) for the best frost resistance

🌳 6. Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

This deciduous favourite handles cold nights with ease and rewards you with dazzling blooms in summer.

Height: 3–8m depending on variety
Foliage: Autumn colour + winter branch interest
Frost rating: Moderate to high (once established)
Flowers: Pink, white, purple, red in summer

🌾 7. Dianella caerulea (Flax Lily)

An Aussie native grass-like plant with brilliant blue flowers and berries.

Height: 40–60cm
Best for: Borders, native gardens, understorey planting
Toughness: Drought and frost-tolerant

🌼 8. Sedum (Stonecrop)

Perfect for low borders or pots, sedum varieties are incredibly resilient and frost-hardy.

Height: 15–50cm
Foliage: Succulent leaves
Flowers: Pink, red or yellow clusters in late summer
Tip: Let them die back naturally in winter — new growth appears in spring

🌿 9. Box Hedge (Buxus microphylla)

A classic choice for formal gardens and frost-prone areas alike.

Height: 50cm–1.5m
Uses: Edging, parterre gardens, topiary
Frost rating: High
Low water needs once established

🌳 10. Maple Trees (Acer spp.)

Japanese and ornamental maples love a cold snap and reward you with breathtaking autumn displays.

Height: 2–10m depending on species
Foliage: Spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows
Frost rating: High
Best in: Well-drained, partly shaded positions

Tips for Gardening in Frost Zones

Even with frost-tolerant plants, a few extra measures can improve survival and performance:

✅ Choose Local or Cold-Adapted Species

Plants native to your climate or grown locally are more likely to withstand winter extremes.

✅ Improve Soil Drainage

Wet, soggy soil in winter amplifies cold damage. Raise beds and improve drainage with compost or coarse sand.

✅ Mulch Generously

Apply 5–7 cm of mulch around the base of plants to insulate roots from extreme cold.

✅ Water in the Morning

If a dry spell hits, water early in the day so moisture is absorbed before the overnight drop in temperature.

✅ Avoid Pruning Too Late

Don’t heavily prune frost-sensitive plants in late autumn — tender regrowth is vulnerable to frost damage.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to sacrifice beauty or variety just because your garden experiences frost. With the right plant selection, your garden can flourish even through the coldest months. From flowering shrubs to hardy natives and show-stopping trees, frost-tolerant plants offer year-round interest, resilience, and colour.

Explore our range of frost-tolerant plants today — delivered Australia-wide with expert support and our 30-day healthy plant guarantee.

Frost Tolerant Plants in Australia