How to Save a Ficus Tree With Frostbite

Check for and evaluate any damage by scraping away a small piece of bark on the trunk and stem regions of the ficus. If the area beneath the bark is bright green or yellowish in color, the roots probably did not freeze and the tissue is still alive, making full recovery very hopeful. If the area under the bark shows browning, assume the roots did freeze, and some tissue damage has occurred. Even under those conditions, it is possible for the ficus to return to good health.

Bring the tree inside immediately and place it before a window that receives a high amount of bright sunlight, preferably a South-facing window. Maintain a consistent indoor temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While it may be tempting to warm the tree as quickly as possible, do not position it next to a fireplace or in a room with the heat cranked up. This temperamental tree is very sensitive to any kind of change, and an abrupt switch from a cold shock to intense heat will only add to the strain it is already under.

Resist the urge to prune any part of the ficus until you see signs of new growth, which may take up to a month, but be patient so that the fussy ficus, already traumatized by its cold misfortune, does not stress from contact with the pruning shears. Remove dried foliage and prune small areas that are obviously dead only after the ficus has begun to grow. Avoid major pruning until nature has had a chance to help the tree recover and return to its normal growth pattern.

Postpone adding fertilizer to the soil until you at least see evidence of new growth, but consider waiting longer. Some horticulturists recommend not fertilizing frost-damaged plants until the following winter after a frostbite situation since nitrogen in the fertilizer may put more strain on the plant by causing it to leaf out too quickly.

Keep the soil moist, but take care to not over-water the ficus. Using water that is room-temperature, ensure the root ball gets adequately watered by tightly packing soil around the circumference of the pot, which will prevent water from running straight through the soil and failing to hydrate the root ball. Spare the ficus from root rot by ensuring the drainage holes in the pot are not obstructed.