Cold Hardiness

Cold hardiness is a plant's ability to withstand low temperatures, usually measured as the lowest temperature a plant can tolerate without suffering physical damage. Cold hardiness is important in agriculture and forestry, and can be enhanced through breeding. Cold hardy plants are much more resilient to extreme cold temperatures and can thus survive in harsher climates than their non-hardy counterparts. In some cases, cold hardiness can be the difference between success and failure in crop production. Cold hardy plants also provide greater protection for animals and people who depend on them for food and shelter in cold climates.