Question
Hi will, I have had my coconut palm for about 8 months and it was doing quite well until the temperature fell because it was in a sun room and I live in Britain. it had two huge leaves which have now gone brown, but I was wondering there is a new leaf coming through the middle will it have the energy to get it out now that it's in a warm light room? Or will it die? Because it's still green.

Answer
Hi Aaron,

The future of your coconut Palm depends on just how much cold it was exposed to and for what duration. This is a tropical plant that does not tolerate cold well at all. It can survive temps as low as 40 degrees F. for short periods.

Cold exposure damages leaves and stems first because they are least protected. The root system is somewhat more protected by the soil and pot, so sometimes the plant will survive even though the leaves are damaged.

Keep your Coconut warm and in a sunny location. Allow the soil to dry out a bit more than usual. Do NOT repot or fertilize it. Be patient and look for signs of healthy new growth emerging within the next month. If that happens, then you know that the root system is healthy and your plant will slowly recover. If the roots have died from the cold, then you will not see any new growth and there is nothing you can do about that.

I have written an article on cold damage that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com