Frost flowers typically appear in the Eastern U.S., particularly in colder regions where hard freezes are more likely. Resembling clouds of cotton candy or spun glass, these icy blooms are incredibly fragile and can vanish with a simple touch, usually lasting only for a few hours before the sun melts them.
Over the past couple of days, social media platforms have been flooded with captivating photographs from states like Indiana, Missouri, and Tennessee, showcasing fields and backyards adorned with these ephemeral artworks shortly after the hard freeze. Alan Templeton, a professor emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasizes the fleeting nature of frost flowers: You see them and you know they’re going to be gone in an hour or two. It’s this very ephemeral, but highly variable beauty that captivates me.
While frost flowers can emerge near the base of certain common plants such as white and yellow wingstem, the precise conditions for their occurrence are critical. Warm, moist ground is necessary to allow water from the roots to rise into the plant's stem, while the air must be cold enough to freeze the liquid and form the flower-like appearance. As Templeton notes, these ice structures are not only uniquely beautiful, but also each bloom is distinct, ensuring that no two frost flowers are alike.
Despite the rarity of encountering these stunning displays, many locals are discovering frost flowers for the first time this season. Crystal Legens, a resident of Tennessee, recalls mistaking them for spider webs upon her first encounter. Others share similar sentiments, noting that many people may live in areas where frost flowers flourish but are unaware of their existence due to not being in the right place at the right time.
