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Some types of palm trees tolerate short-term temperatures of - 20 degrees, provided they are adequately protected in winter. If the cold period lasts longer, it can happen that the palm suffers from cold damage. Often these look worse than they actually are and the plant will recover quickly with a little care.
Most palm trees can hardly deal with deep sub-zero temperatures
Only the leaves are frozen
These injuries occur when the sap in the leaves freezes. The liquid expands and the cell walls burst. This can be seen from the outside by the so-called glazing. Depending on the extent, dark spots appear on the fronds or they are completely dark green.
As long as no moisture and consequently no fungi penetrate into the growth center of the palm tree, the plant usually recovers well. Do not cut off the frozen fronds right away, they continue to serve as protection against the cold for the heart of the palm.
If the temperatures rise, the only slightly affected fronds contribute to the regeneration of the plant through photosynthesis. Completely frozen shoots should now be cut back close to the trunk. The palm tree will soon sprout again and after a few weeks the frost damage can only be guessed at.
The heart of the palm is damaged
If the fronds are frozen down to the heart, the palm tree is in serious danger. It is often not even the frost that causes the plant to die. Instead, fungal spores can now penetrate the growth center at this point. These are active even at sub-zero temperatures. Only a suitable fungicide from a specialist dealer can help here.
Prevention is better than cure
So that the palm survives the winter well, it is advisable to pack the southern beauty carefully:
- Cover the soil around the root ball with a thick layer of mulch.
- Wrap insulating straw mats around the trunk.
- Protect the crown from the cold with a slatted frame, plant fleece and jute.
All these materials are breathable and prevent moisture from collecting under the winter protection. This effectively prevents the dreaded formation of rot.
tips
Decide in autumn whether you want the palm tree to spend the cold season well packed outdoors or whether you want the plant to spend the winter indoors. Palm trees do not like to be moved and are extremely sensitive to frequent changes of location.