Landscaping Plants That Weren’t Affected by the Recent Cold in Daytona Beach, FL — And Why They’re the Smartest Choice by Cole's Landscaping and Property Maintenance LLC

The recent cold snap in Daytona Beach and throughout Volusia County proved something important: plant selection matters.

While many tropical plants burned or declined after freezing temperatures, several landscape plants came through the cold looking strong and healthy.

At Cole’s Landscaping and Property Maintenance LLC, we pay attention to real-world results. The recent freeze clearly showed which plants are truly built for Central Florida conditions.

If you’re planning new landscaping in Daytona Beach or surrounding areas, choosing cold-hardy plants can save you money, frustration, and future replacements.

Proven Cold-Hardy Landscaping Plants in Daytona Beach, FL

Below are plants that handled the recent cold well — along with why they’re smart long-term investments.

🌿 Viburnum

Cold Hardiness: Generally tolerant into the low 20s°F

Benefits:

• Excellent privacy hedge

• Fast growing

• Dense structure

• Handles pruning well

• Evergreen in most winters

Viburnum proved once again that it’s a reliable structural plant. It provides privacy and fullness year-round with strong cold tolerance compared to tropical hedge options.

🌳 Live Oak

Cold Hardiness: Extremely hardy well below typical Florida freeze temps

Benefits:

• Massive shade canopy

• Storm resistant

• Long-lived

• Increases property value

• Native to Florida

Live oaks were largely unaffected by the cold snap. They are one of the strongest and most dependable shade trees you can install in Daytona Beach.

🌾 Muhly Grass

Cold Hardiness: Tolerant into the teens once established

Benefits:

• Native ornamental grass

• Low maintenance

• Drought tolerant

• Adds texture and seasonal color

• Great for erosion control

Muhly grass handled the cold beautifully and continues to offer soft texture and fall color without the sensitivity of tropical grasses.

🌿 Indian Hawthorn

Cold Hardiness: Into the low 20s°F

Benefits:

• Compact growth habit

• Beautiful seasonal blooms

• Great for foundation plantings

• Salt tolerant

Indian Hawthorn showed strong resilience and remains a dependable shrub for coastal landscapes.

🌿 Coontie

Cold Hardiness: Into the teens once established

Benefits:

• Florida native

• Extremely drought tolerant

• Low maintenance

• Unique tropical look

• Host plant for butterflies

Coontie is one of the toughest native plants available. It may show minor cosmetic damage in extreme cold but rebounds quickly and thrives long-term.

Additional Strong Performers

🌿 Holly & Schilling Holly

Cold Hardiness: Into the teens

Benefits:

• Dense evergreen foliage

• Excellent hedge structure

• Clean, manicured look

• Low maintenance

Schilling Holly in particular is compact and perfect for formal designs while being extremely cold resilient.

🌲 Arborvitae

Cold Hardiness: Very strong cold tolerance

Benefits:

• Vertical privacy screening

• Clean formal appearance

• Evergreen year-round

• Good wind buffer

Arborvitaes offer structured privacy with solid cold durability when properly selected for our zone.

🎋 Clumping Bamboo

Cold Hardiness: Many varieties tolerate mid to upper 20s°F

Benefits:

• Fast-growing privacy

• Non-invasive

• Tropical look with better durability

• Modern landscape appeal

Despite its tropical appearance, clumping bamboo handled the recent cold very well and remains one of the best natural privacy solutions available.

Palms That Proved Resilient

🌴 Pineapple Palm (Canary Island Date Palm)

Cold Hardiness: Around 15–20°F once mature

• Bold focal point

• Strong trunk structure

• More cold tolerant than many tropical palms

🌴 Sylvester Palm (Silver Date Palm)

Cold Hardiness: Around 15–20°F

• Blue-green fronds

• Elegant structure

• Excellent durability

🌴 Chinese Fan Palm

Cold Hardiness: Into upper teens

• Adaptable

• Wide fan fronds

• Handles both heat and cold swings well

🌴 Cabbage Palm (Sabal Palm)

Cold Hardiness: Down to approximately 15–20°F once established

Benefits:

• Florida native

• Extremely wind and salt tolerant

• Low maintenance

• Strong root system

• Long lifespan

The Sabal Palm is Florida’s state tree for a reason. It handles heat, storms, drought, and cold snaps with minimal damage. It’s one of the safest palm choices for Volusia County landscapes.

🌹 Cold-Hardy Rose Varieties

Certain rose varieties performed well, including:

• Knock Out Roses

• Drift Roses

• Belinda’s Dream

• Hardy shrub-style roses

Cold Hardiness: Generally into low 20s°FBenefits:

• Repeat blooms

• Disease resistance

• Structured color in beds

• Bounce back quickly after stress

When properly maintained, these varieties add dependable color without extreme sensitivity.

Why Cold-Hardy Plants Are the Smartest Choice in Volusia County

Landscapes in:

Daytona Beach, South Daytona, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach Ormond Beach

deal with:

• Salt air

• Sandy soil

• High humidity

• Intense summer heat

• Occasional winter freezes

Choosing plants that tolerate both heat and cold means:

• Fewer replacements

• Lower long-term costs

• Stronger root systems

• Better property value

• Consistent curb appeal

The recent freeze made one thing clear — durability matters.

Build a Landscape That’s Beautiful and Built to Last

Tropical plants still have their place. But the smartest landscapes in Central Florida use durable, cold-hardy plants as the foundation — then layer in accent pieces for color and personality.

At Cole’s Landscaping and Property Maintenance LLC, we design landscapes that are built for real Florida conditions — not just ideal weather.

Serving Daytona Beach, South Daytona, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, and surrounding areas in Volusia County, Florida, we specialize in plant selection and professional installation that stands the test of time.

📞 Ready to build a landscape that can handle Florida’s heat and cold? Contact Cole’s Landscaping and Property Maintenance LLC today and let’s design something that lasts. 🌿