Frost damage to potted plants

Question

Outdoor plants in the South. Usually, when we have a chance of freeze, besides watering and covering the flower beds, our potted plants are safe up against the house, 6-12 feet under a patio covering. This year we went down to 24 degrees for approximately 6+ hours. What to do about corn plants with leaves drooping and gray-green, and a schefflera burned brown? Most of those plants are alive, but the corn plants look very sad.

Answer 1

First, make sure the plants aren’t further damaged by any future freezes. If cold weather is coming, move the plants indoors if possible. If not, try to cover them with dry blankets or an upside-down trash can if possible.

Avoid pruning the damaged plants until spring. Plants can often recover from freeze damage, but they need time. If they start growing again in the spring, you’ll be able to see which parts are alive and which are dead and prune accordingly. Avoid overwatering them until they recover, because damaged plants often use less water. Also see these articles:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-treat-frozen-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm