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If I extract RNA from a (leaf tissue) sample using a one-step phenol:chloroform extraction, how long can those samples be stored at -80°C? And how many times can I defrost and refreeze them before they will become degraded?

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I'd guess that this will depend heavily on the purification of the sample, pure RNA (no Mg2+ e.g) can be stored for a very long time at lower temperatures. Pure RNA in water can be stable for months at 4°C. Freezing and thawing RNA can affect the folding (for RNA with important tertiary structure) as I have observed. – Mad Scientist♦ Feb 10 '12 at 14:12
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If you're worried about freeze/thaw cycling, aliquot them into multiple tubes -- that way you only thaw what you need to use. – jp89 Feb 10 '12 at 19:49

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I've found that extracted RNA using commercial kits has stayed stable for many years at -80 C. I would certainly aliquot it before freezing however as RNA is particularly sensitive to freeze-thaw cleavage.

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We can keep extracted RNA in -80°C for a few weeks, but before the start of any experiments, it needs to be validated by gel electrophoresis.

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