Question
Hello. My mom got me a plant a few months ago that I believe
is a Yucca but am not entirely sure. When the plant arrived
at my home, I put it in a spot that received plenty of
daylight and it did beautifully!

I recently moved and a huge error was made with the plant
being placed in the open box of a truck, and transported at
60 km/h speeds in -10 weather for about 15 minutes. Upon
entering the new home, I placed the plant in the brightest
location, but obviously due to the wind damage, the plant
was very distressed. I did not know what type of plant this
is (still am not 100% it's a yucca) and figured if the plant
was so sad, it might want some food. I gave it a bit of
liquid (I am not sure which brand, it is a dark green fluid,
maybe something called Schultz?) Since then, the plant has
begun to show round white spots on.

The plant is in a pot with almost a foot of soil and a
diameter of about a foot as well. It is about two and a half
feet tall, and the longest leaves on the taller stalk are
almost two feet long (now they are drooping nearly to the
floor, but they used to fan out, sort of like bamboo leaves
but thicker). The shorter stalk seems to be a tiny bit
livelier, but it is also showing the white spots. The white
spots are spreading quick, since this morning, they have
nearly doubled. The plant is kept in a house with a wood
stove, so the temperature varies from about 15 - 24 degrees
throughout the day. The house is very very dry.

Any advice you can give would be wonderful! Thank you. I am
very concerned about how to care for this plant.

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

Your description does match that of a Yucca, but I cannot be sure without a photo. In any case, it is  a tropical plant that cannot withstand freezing temperatures and the wind just caused even more damage. The foliage is most vulnerable to the cold because the leaves are fully exposed to the cold and wind. The roots are a bit more insulated by the soil and pot.

The leaf damage will continue for up to another week or so. It will not recover, so damaged or discolored leaves are best trimmed off. You may lose all of the leaves.

If the roots did not get too frozen, then they will help the plant recover by pushing out healthy new growth. However, this is a slow process and it cannot be forced by fertilizer or repotting or excessive water. Provide as much light and warm temperatures as possible and water only when the top quarter of the soil is dry. The dry air is not a problem.

Be patient and don't try to do too much.

I have written an article on Yucca care that I will email for free to anyone who sends a request to me at my address below.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC