Question
It's my birthday and my sweet boyfriend got me one of my
favorite plants, a Jasmine plant. The problem is that
unfortunately when it was delivered they left it on my
porch, I was not aware that it was even coming and it was
outside overnight in freezing Nebraska temperatures. The
package was well insulated, but I'm afraid that this morning
when I did open it, the soil was stiff and some of the
leaves have wilted. HELP! Is there any way to save this
plant at all or is it beyond hope? I have trimmed off any
obvious dead leaves, gave it a small amount of water to
loosen and unfreeze the soil a bit (which I then immediately
poured out) and put it in a south facing window of the house
for some sunlight. The plant itself also came with ZERO
instructions for care. The last Jasmine plant that I had
about 5 years ago only lasted a few months and if this one
is salvageable I would like to see if I can keep this one
alive and maybe transplant it to a larger pot that I can
move outdoors during the warmer months and indoors during
colder months, if that's even possible. Any help in this
situation would be SO very much appreciated. THANK YOU!!

Answer
Hi Becca,

How extensive the cold damage is depends on just how cold it got, how long it was in the cold, the size of the pot and how well insulated the package was.

The foliage is most exposed to the cold so it will suffer the most severe effects of the cold. You are correct to trim off any damaged leaves or stems as they will not recover. If the roots were not too badly damaged by the cold, then you should see signs of healthy new growth within a couple of weeks. If you do not, then the Jasmine probably cannot be salvaged.

Lots of warmth and sun are important. Water the soil as soon as the surface feels dry. Do NOT repot or fertilize it. This is a situation that calls for less rather than more, so recognize the limits as to what you can do and be patient.

If your Jasmine recovers, keep it inside in the same pot and on a  sunny windowsill. Continue to water as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry. Prune back long, leggy stems. Fertilize at half strength monthly but only when it is growing vigorously. Watch carefully for spider mites, which love to feed on Jasmine.

I don't particularly recommend moving it outside in summer. But if you do, keep it in a shaded location at all times and keep temps above 50 degrees F.

I have written articles on cold damage and on Jasmine 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