Garden Glossary

Desiccate

Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term desiccate. This means to dry out. Desiccation happens when the plant can’t get enough water to keep the leaves hydrated. This can happen with dry soils in the summer or in the winter. This can be a problem with evergreen plants in the winter. When the soil is frozen the plants can’t take up water to keep the leaves hydrated especially if there is a dry wind blowing. The leaves dry out and die. Once a leaf is desiccated it is dead.