Существует ли способ удалить в по необходимости, не синхронизируя Вашему клиенту?

function updatePlots() {
  // this way, the global plant function is not overwritten
  // @see JavaScript variable scope
  var plant;
  // You might want to 'var' your other local (?) variables, too
  // var fullplots, i, status, growth;
  fullplots = [];
  for (i = 0; i < plots.length; i++) { //get fullplots
    if (plots[i].length) {
      fullplots.push(i);
    }
  }

  for (i = 0; i < fullplots.length; i++) {
    // at this line of code you overwrite the global plant, which is not a function anymore then
    plant = plots[fullplots[i]][0];
    status = plots[fullplots[i]][1];
    growth = plots[fullplots[i]][2];

    if (growth < 100) { //increment
        plots[fullplots[i]][2]++;
    }
  }

  if (document.getElementById('plots').style.display == 'block') {
    getPlots();
  }
}