How to Care for an Umbrella Plant After a Frost

Wait until there is no more threat of frost because the umbrella plant begins to put on new growth. Early spring is the best time to prune frost damage. It may take some time to determine the extent of the damage, and pruning may stimulate new, tender growth that will be more susceptible to subsequent frost. The frozen foliage insulates the plant and protects it from further damage. While you wait to prune, keep the umbrella plant well hydrated with 1 inch of water per week. Moist soil will keep the umbrella plant warm, hydrated and prevent further injury.

Wipe your pruning shears down with isopropyl alcohol. Pruning cuts are susceptible to infections transmitted via pruning shears.

Prune any frost damaged stems. Frost damaged stems look much different than healthy stems and are easy to spot: they droop and cannot support their own weight as they once did when they are healthy, they look almost transparent and waterlogged and are mushier than healthy green leaves. You must prune this tissue because it is dead. Prune wholly damaged stems at their base. Prune stems with only partial damage 1 inch beyond the damaged area into healthy plant tissue (the damaged stem portion that you prune away should have 1 inch of healthy stem tissue attached). Leaving healthy tissue behind on an only partially damaged stem will help the umbrella plant bounce back from damage more readily.

Prune frost damaged leaves at their base to remove them from the umbrella plant's stem. They are dead and if left on the plant will attract fungus and disease as they decay.