I must say , that in general buying plants this time of the year is always touch and go in the colder parts of the U.S. since they must go through so many "shocks" just getting them to the stores and then again transporting them home , and even once they're back indoors in the warmth, since all most likely were grown is some very uniform greenhouse conditions and it's hard to adapt for the dry winter conditions etc. besides the often difficult trip to the retailier. Anyway, I wouold double bag them or a closed cardboard box til you get them back in your house. Those cold winds deffinitely wouldn't help them!!

I have bought many plants in the dead of winter without any problems. Just make sure any plant shopping is left for last on your list of places to go that day.
Your car should warm up faster afterwords for the plants to have a more comfortable ride home.
Try and get as close to the store as you can (not alway easy to do around this time of year) and like "bird" said, get the plants doubled up on plastic bags, two for bottom part of the pot and two over the tops of the leaves/flowers and the plants should be fine.

Billy Rae

Two days ago it was -8F here, no kidding! Currently it's a tropical 10F degrees outside with a -15F degree windchill. I have never let freezing temperatures stop me from buying plants. I just make sure they're wrapped in one layer of plastic---I've never had a plant fatality due to cold yet. Of course you wouldn't want to stand out at the bus stop with the plants, so do have a car available. Oh, and don't keep the plants in the trunk----keep them in the warm cabin with you.

I must giggle a bit frank, no offense. Us Minnesota girls scoff at the idea that 23F could even be considered "cold!" Don't mind me though, cuz I think everyone who lives here on this godforesaken frozen tundra is crazy, and I swear I'll move south the first chance I get! Happy Growing!

frank....I'll add that it DEPENDS upon the plant material. Some are much more sensitive to cold than others.

I agree with all posters. My own personal experience has been that Dieffenbachias and Scheffleras respond poorly to being exposed to very cold temps. You may not notice the injury until after a few days have passed. My Dieff sprung back within a year and is thriving today, but the Scheff never did recover.

During the colder months, I only buy plants from independent nurseries where they will wrap the plants for you in thick brown paper. Shop at the box stores and
you're on your own. Shame, but that's the way it is.

Thank you all for the great advice!

I agree, you should have no problem if you're plant is well wrapped and you aren't putting it into a frigid car. By the way I also think 23 degrees is balmy. Just another Minnesota girl.

Poinsettias are very cold sensitive as are African Violets.

I've seen plenty of them damaged going from store to car to home. 23* would be way below average temps here.

Bring a blanket for added protection.:)

LOL @ GH.

I've bought small plants that I tucked into my coat and rode a bus home with. Even the cold can't stop a plant lover.

Ahhhhh, see Frank? NOTHING will stop a plant lover from bringing home a new plant. LOL MBT was thinking that between his body heat and the coat, the plant would be A-O-K. He was right.:)

Yes I am convinced. I brought home 3 dracaena marginatas today in the ("balmy", haha) temperature of 30F.

I've been known to do the "coat trick" as well with smaller plants, and even waiting for buses at very frigid bus stops, and that always worked well, unless it was some type of very brittle plant. Some can be a bit tricky using that method!! I would guess that the dracaenas are amongst the more forgiving plants, when it comes to short chills!!