In the colder months, these desert dwelling plants can sometimes benefit from a little extra attention.
Freezing temperatures have been rolling through town recently. Any idea how your cacti and agave plants are doing? If any of them are looking a little dark or mushy, they may have taken a hit from the frigid temperatures.
Drooping leaves, mushy areas, brown or blackened spines are key indicators that your plant has been affected by the cold.
To treat winter damage in fleshy cactus species like prickly pear and cholla, you can just prune away the damaged areas. Use clean, sterilized pruning tools and make cuts just above healthy tissue. This helps prevent the spread of any further damage and promote new growth. 
Mulching around the base of the plant is also an effective method to help insulate the root zone and protect it from lower temperatures.
As for tough plants like agaves, pruning damaged limbs by hand can be a quick and easy solution to tidy up plants. Simply peeling mushy or dying leaves away from the base of the plant is the easiest technique; however, use pruning tools for plants with tougher leaves. Mulching around the base after removing leaves is recommended.
During the winter months, these desert dwelling plants can sometimes benefit from a little extra attention to survive the frigid environment we occasionally experience in South Texas. By taking action this season, you’ll be rewarded with healthier plants, stronger growth and often better blooms when warmer days return.
