Question
I left my plant out the night it got below freezing and I think I froze the top quarter of the leaves.  They turned brown and brittle and started to break off.  Is it a good idea to trim off the dead stuff?  My mother had this same plant for many, many years and I would like to keep it as long she did.

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

I have received quite a few inquiries recently about dealing with frozen plants. This is the time of year when fickle weather tricks lots of folks!

Your plant's recovery will not be affected by whether or not you trim off the frozen plan tissue. Recovery depends on how cold it got and how long it was exposed to the cold. The damaged tips will not recover, so most people do trim them off for reasons of appearance. You can do the same, or not.

Be careful not to overwater your plant as growth rate slows down some after exposure to cold.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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