Pygmy Palm Cold Damage: To Prune or Not?

Handling Frost-Bitten Pygmy Palm Fronds

After a cold snap, a pygmy palm's fronds turned brown. The owner cut off the brown ends, but a friend advises removing all fronds. The owner worries about added shock.

Expert Verdict

Nick strongly disagrees with the friend. Palms need green fronds for photosynthesis. Only completely brown fronds should be removed. Partially green fronds must stay. Over-pruning adds stress. Water sparingly while roots recover, and wait for new growth to determine viability.