Hardiness (plants)

Hardiness in plants means how well they can survive in different temperatures and weather conditions. Think of plants as superheroes that have different levels of powers to handle different weather situations.

For example, some plants are like Superman - extremely tough and can survive in very cold or hot temperatures without a problem. These plants are called 'hardy' plants. Other plants, however, are like Batman - they can only handle mild temperatures and would wilt or die if exposed to severe cold or heat.

To measure how hardy a plant is, scientists use something called the USDA hardiness zone map. This map divides the United States into different zones based on the average minimum temperature in that area. Each zone is labeled with a number from 1 to 13 (1 being the coldest and 13 being the warmest).

When you buy a plant, it should tell you what hardiness zone it can tolerate. If you live in a colder zone, you need a plant that can handle the cold. If you live in a warmer zone, you need a plant that can handle the heat.

So next time you go plant shopping, make sure you check the hardiness zone of the plant you like, so you can ensure it will have the superpowers to survive in your climate!