Hardiness (plants)

Hardiness (plants) is a term used in horticulture to describe the ability of plants to withstand cold temperatures. It is a complex trait involving a number of genetic and environmental factors, and is often used to guide gardeners and farmers in plant selection.

Etymology

The term "hardiness" comes from the Old English word "heard", meaning "strong, tough, hardy", and has been used in the context of plant biology since at least the 19th century.

Definition

In the context of plant biology, hardiness refers to the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions. It is usually limited to discussions of climatic adversity. Thus a plant's ability to tolerate cold, heat, drought, flooding, or wind are typically described as forms of hardiness.

Hardiness zones

Hardiness zones are geographic areas defined to encompass a certain range of climatic conditions relevant to plant growth and survival. The most widely used hardiness zones are those developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which are based on average annual minimum temperatures.

Factors affecting hardiness

Several factors can affect a plant's hardiness, including its genetic makeup, the environment in which it is grown, and the care it receives. Some plants are naturally more hardy than others due to their genetic makeup. For example, plants that are native to cold climates are often more hardy than those from warmer climates.

Related terms

• Frost tolerance: The ability of plants to withstand freezing temperatures.
• Drought tolerance: The ability of plants to withstand periods of low water availability.
• Heat tolerance: The ability of plants to withstand high temperatures.
• Wind tolerance: The ability of plants to withstand strong winds.

See also

• Plant physiology
• Plant adaptation
• Climate zones

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