Can You Save a Houseplant from Winter Frost? Generally, Sure.

I’ve ruined crops in chilly temperatures greater than as soon as. Some survived however most departed this world and have become a lesson for me as a gardener and plant guardian. I’ve discovered when a plant will be saved—and the best way to do it—and when it’s time to let it go after a chilly snap.

The African Violet I Misplaced

I like African violets. They’re lovely little houseplants with quite a few colourful blooms and fascinating furry leaves. They’re not troublesome to develop both, regardless of a unhealthy fame. They like oblique gentle, humidity, and common feedings.

What this Africa native doesn’t like is chilly. One of many first violets I grew, which had survived a entire 12 months and bloomed for me a number of occasions, died once I tried to present it some recent air.

African violet is barely hardy in USDA zones 11 and 12, which implies it actually doesn’t tolerate chilly. So, I put it outdoors in spring, pondering it will love the breeze and air, solely to be stunned by a late frost.

After all, I had forgotten to deliver the plant in for the evening, so it suffered for a lot of hours outside. The leaves had wilted, and a few have been already black. I introduced the violet inside and hoped for the most effective, however nothing occurred. It was a goner.

The Peace Lily I Saved

Consider it or not, I made the identical mistake with a peace lily. This huge plant has been with me for many years. I made a decision to deal with it to recent air one 12 months, and naturally, this was once more when a late season chilly snap moved by the world.

This time I remembered to test on the plant. Once I realized it had been uncovered to chilly temperatures, I moved it in rapidly. The following pointers helped me put it aside:

• I watered it immediately, letting a good quantity of water move by the pot and soak the roots.

• Peace lily loves humidity, so I additionally spritzed the leaves because it soaked up water by the roots.

• I resisted the urge to place it in entrance of a heating vent, which some fast analysis informed me was the unsuitable factor to do. I do know now that it’s best to let a chilly plant come again as much as temperature slowly.

• As an alternative of trimming again dead-looking leaves immediately, as was my impulse, I gave it a couple weeks to see what would occur. Some new progress got here in and a few foliage rebounded. I then trimmed off the leaves that have been undoubtedly lifeless.

Saving a cold-shocked tropical plant is hit and miss. Generally it really works, and generally it’s too late. As a gardener, you must settle for the latter generally.