Should Pony Tail Palms Be Protected From Temps Below 35 Degrees?

Question

My palm is 45 years old, sits on a patio protected from most wind, and I live in Houston. When temps below 32-35 are expected, I wrap it in sheets and put a light bulb inside the sheet wrapping. Please tell me how to protect it from cold. Thank you

Answer 1

The thought of the light bulb under sheets worries me. They can take short cold snaps to about 25 degrees F, but prolonged cold will do them in. You don't say how tall it is but here are some other wrapping ideas. Also, the material around it shouldn't touch the plant. It should be draped over stakes. Some people just wrap the container with bubblewrap, not the plant.

If you can put your pot on a rolling base, you can move it next to the house for more warmth and protection during the winter.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protecting-plants-winter.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-covering-materials.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/wrapping-plants-in-burlap.htm