Why are some plants more frost tolerant

Why are some plants more frost tolerant than others?

Frost or freeze damage occurs when the water in plant cells expands as it turns to ice, and then bursts the cell walls. However, when the temperatures cool, cool-season vegetables and other cold-hardy varieties may produce more sugars, and sugar water freezes at a lower temperature than water, which keeps the water in the cells from freezing and bursting the cell walls. This is also why frost-tolerant vegetables tend to get sweeter with cool temperatures. The sweetening process takes time, providing the most protection when the autumn cool-down is slow and consistent. Sweetening is one of a few strategies plants may have to avoid frost or freeze damage, and it is a strategy often seen in cool season vegetables. Shorter varieties have the advantage of being closer to the ground, which is insulated and radiates some heat, often enough to quell the possible effects of short bursts of freezing temperatures. Also, the more mature the frost-tolerant plant, the better able it is to withstand frost or freezing. Humidity can help protect plants from frost because moisture holds heat, effectively insulating the air. However, a clear or windy night can sweep away any warm air radiating from the ground, allowing colder air to sink in.
Crop frost-tolerance varies between varieties. Greens like kale or spinach, and especially those with savoyed, wavy, curled, or textured leaves are generally hardier. Mulched root crops like beets, carrots, leeks, radishes, and parsnips can be harvested later in fall before the ground freezes, and some even survive a ground freeze. Search for your crops below to determine their frost tolerance level.

Likely damaged by light frost:
Amaranth, beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, melons, okra, peppers, pumpkins, quinoa, New Zealand spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, tomatillo, watermelon, and winter squash (plants only; fruit can withstand 1 to 2 light frosts).

Can withstand light frost:
Artichokes, bok choy, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, peas, quinoa, and radicchio.

Can withstand hard frost:
Arugula, broccoli, broccoli raab, Brussels sprouts, beets, cabbage, carrots, collards, endive, escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce (tolerance varies with variety), mâche, mustard, mustard spinach (komatsuna), onions, parsley, parsnips, radishes, bunching onions/scallions, sorrel, spinach, Swiss chard, tatsoi, and turnips.

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