Frozen hibiscus

The power went out in the greenhouse and had been out all night. I didn't discover it til morning when I went to check the plants . What a disaster! I dragged as many of the plants I could into the house, but the damage was done. My daughter trusted me with her tropical hibiscus's and their leaves were black! Is there anything I can do to try and save them? This morning their leaves have fallen off and I will keep them in the basement in a south window, but not sure if I should cut down or what. Any ideas?

If the leaves were black the plants were frozen.Not much hope. Let me know in the spring and I can get you a few kinds .I have extras you may have.After all I get to Chicago every so often. :-)

Kyle

Thank you, that is very nice of you to offer. I did cut some of them down, a few had green wood near the bottom, so I have them in a sunny window now and we'll see if they either grow or wither away.

I left a large one out one cold November night. It got down into the 20s. It's leaves did not turn black but they all dropped off. It took a month before I saw any life but it only lost a few branches and looked respectable within a few months. I kept it for another 5 years before it outgrew my space and I had to give it away.
Don't give up on it for at least a month or 2.
Andy P

I'm glad you told me that Andy, so at least I know to keep watering and nursing it til spring . Thanks for telling me that, Doris.

If it doesn't have any leaves it can not evaporate any water. Do Not water it until the soil gets a bit dry. Without the leaves the water will build up and cause another set of problems.
Andy P