Red star - dead?

Javi.xeneize · March 2023

Hi

i have a couple of red star (Cordyline australis) and after winter snow they look awful. Do you reckon those will recover or are dead?

JennyJ · March 2023

That top growth is dead but the plant might regenerate from lower down, maybe even from ground level. I would leave it alone until the cold weather is over because the dead stuff will provide some protection if the roots are still alive, then carefully remove the old leaves right down to the base of each leaf, looking out for any new growth coming through so you don't damage it.

Fairygirl · March 2023

There are loads of threads re cordylines this year. It's the combination of wet then freezing which causes the most damage. Yours might come back @Javi.xeneize, but you'll just have to wait and see as @JennyJ says, then take appropriate action with a bit of fresh compost around the base.
Consistently wet soil which then gets frosty/icy spells, is always difficult, which is why they tend to look dreadful here in the west most years. They cope in drier conditions much more easily, so a lighter, sandier soil is always easier for them to deal with in less than perfect spells.

Javi.xeneize · March 2023

Thanks! There’s more snow on the way this week ;(. I will wait till April and follow your advise. Thanks!

Fairygirl · March 2023

It's not snow that's the problem as such. It's the wet then freezing cycle for a prolonged spell. Unless you have feet of snow which stays solid until temps are warm enough to cause serious snow melt [highly unlikely - unless you're much further north of me or Canada etc] that's not what causes it. All those tiny alpine plants wouldn't thrive if that was the case

If you had more than just a couple of inches of snow [which does no harm at all ] you would shake it off anything susceptible, especially leafy evergreens, as it's more likely to do damage by breaking stems/branches on plants than anything else. Snow is also an insulator, especially if it's dry snow, rather than the very wet stuff, and especially if it falls onto drier ground.

Red star - dead?

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