While many balconies are lushly greened in summer and the flowers in the balcony boxes are happily blooming, it usually looks pretty desolate in autumn and winter. However, that doesn't have to be the case, because the snow heather that blooms in winter in particular provides some color accents in the dreary wintry grey. The common heather, which also blooms quite late, is also very suitable for balcony planting, and both heather plants are winter-hardy and can therefore easily persevere outdoors.
Heather brings color to the balcony in autumn
location and substrate
Summer heather or common heather in particular prefers a location that is as sunny as possible, although it usually also feels very comfortable in light penumbra. On the other hand, balconies that are too shady or poorly lit are not suitable for planting with heather plants, as the plants there only grow poorly and will hardly bloom. In addition to a sunny location, most heather plants also prefer moist and acidic soil. For this you can use a mixture of commercially available flower and bog soil as potting soil, which can also be enriched with sand to loosen it up.
Proper care for heather in the pot
This point is important because heather needs moisture, but does not tolerate waterlogging at all. For this reason you should ensure good drainage in the pot. This can be done by adding sand to the substrate and a layer of expanded clay (€19.73) or similar at the bottom of the planter. In addition, the pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom, but do not leave excess water standing, but pour it off again and again. Plant the individual heather plants either individually in a pot or at a distance of 10 to 15 centimeters in a balcony box. Fertilization is only done two to three times during the vegetation period with a good fertilizer for ericaceous plants or with horn shavings.(32.93€)
Overwinter heather in a pot
Heather is very robust and hardy even in pots. Nevertheless, you should plant the plants at temperatures from about minus 10 °C - especially on sunny days, otherwise the heather can dry out! - protect from the cold. To do this, place the planter on a piece of Styrofoam in a protected corner, preferably on a heat-radiating house wall. You can cover the substrate with leaves or brushwood.
tips
Cut back the heather vigorously in spring - around the middle to the end of April - then the plants will sprout again and bloom all the more magnificently.