Of animals or plants: Delicate, easily injured by severe weather or unfavourable conditions; not hardy; needing protection. tender annual, an…

Horticulture. Of a plant: capable of surviving adverse conditions (esp. cold temperatures); (also) able to grow outside without protection…

Of a plant: Hardy.

Not able to endure much; tender, delicate, fragile. Obsolete.

Somewhat tender, rather tender.

Of a plant: needing some protection from cold winter weather. Also as n.

North American. Of a plant or plant variety: particularly robust and hardy; esp. able to withstand low temperatures and frost.