Pygmy Date Palms and 28 degree central Florida weather - What to do?

[Skenny]

The palms we all talked about over here

back in June are going to be exposed to the coldest weather around Orlando in 16 years this coming weekend with temps expected to be all the way down to 28 degrees.  We went with these because they are supposed to be somewhat cold resistant but having temps drop below freezing around here is super rare so not sure what to do.

We just got these back in June so they have only been in the ground for seven months.  It's our first time going through this level of cold with these trees so what are we supposed to do to get them through this unprecedented artic blast?  We have three of these two trunk trees in the same general area in front of the house so any advice on what we are supposed to do?

[kinzyjr]

In my own case, Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm) is on its own, for better or worse.

[zero]

@Skenny, I wouldn't worry about exposure to 28°F.  If there's a a heavy frost predicted I would cover it with a frost cloth or a sheet.  My Phoenix roebelenii is about the same size as yours and mine has endured 27°F unprotected for each of the last 4 years.  No frond damage except one year it had a spear-pull but quickly grew out of it.

[Merlyn]

@Skenny 28 is not normally a problem for Roebellini, even with frost.  Mine see that almost every winter here near Sanford, with some mild frond burn.  Even at 24.6F and frost they didn't have severe defoliation burn, maybe 25% or so burn.  For sure they are "reasonably hardy," even if not super hardy into the teens.

[TropicsEnjoyer]

Bigger ones will likely not need major protection, maybe just a frost cloth.

My neighbor just had a small pygmy spear pull but it’s one of a clump of 3 that’s only about a foot tall so it’s not very strong yet. 

Expect to see leaf bronzing from the cold. My only roebelinii is a potted clump of 5 that I have in my garage because they’re my precious babies.

[VA Jeff]

I walked past several relatively tall robellinis last night in coastal Georgia.  No damage.  Six miles away I saw 19F this year, but I know it was warmer on the islands.  I saw some other ones yesterday in a spot that must have seen 25 this year and looked fine.

[Skenny]

So here is what everything looks like now that the weather has warmed back up.  Each one the fronds (if thats the right term( have turned brown, or is that bronze?  I have a closer picture of each one near the trunks, there is still lots of green there, just at the base.

Is there anything we are supposed to do now or just wait?

Tree 1:

 

 

Tree 2:

 

Tree 3:

 

 

[aztropic]

Wait. They will be coming back.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[Johnny Palmseed]

Agree with waiting. There is nothing that can be done at this point to save them. Although they probably could use some water. The area looks dry. Once the weather warms up to 60ish degree minimums they should start growing again. Mid March to early April you should give them some palm fertilizer and make sure they are well hydrated. Don’t cut anything off unless it’s fungal.

[Skenny]

Okay, I'll keep them watered.

The temps are going to be back in the 80s this weekend but still cooler at night for a couple of more weeks.  For the fronds themselves, do I leave those until they come back or fall off?  I wont cut anything, I am just wondering what to expect from everything that is on there now.

[Mazat]

On 2/9/2026 at 10:27 PM, Skenny said:

So here is what everything looks like now that the weather has warmed back up.  Each one the fronds (if thats the right term( have turned brown, or is that bronze?  I have a closer picture of each one near the trunks, there is still lots of green there, just at the base.

Is there anything we are supposed to do now or just wait?

Tree 1:

 

 

Tree 2:

 

Tree 3:

 

 

We had a few days in January when it was briefly -4°C and once -5°C on the balcony, but they are recovering. They will certainly regenerate at your place. I have a subtropical microclimate (USDA 9b) on my balcony, and you have a much warmer climate than I do. It will be fine at your place.

[Johnny Palmseed]

19 hours ago, Skenny said:

Okay, I'll keep them watered.

The temps are going to be back in the 80s this weekend but still cooler at night for a couple of more weeks.  For the fronds themselves, do I leave those until they come back or fall off?  I wont cut anything, I am just wondering what to expect from everything that is on there now.

Roebeleniis tend to not drop their fronds until long after the plant is done using them. Leave everything alone until you see solid green growth that is identified in the center spears. Let the palm try to heal itself. If you can get it to grow out in the spring/summer, then you can remove the damaged fronds. The damaged fronds will never recover but if the plant can extract nutrients from them, it will. Resist the urge to trim for aesthetic reasons and wait until they are brown and dry. At that point, the plant has extracted everything and so cutting it off will be fine.