In the genus of harp shrubs there are mostly perennial herbaceous plants or subshrubs, which are not winter-hardy in Central Europe. Many species come from Africa or Southeast Asia and are well adapted to the local climate.
The harp shrub comes from warmer countries in Africa or Asia and is not hardy
Nevertheless, you do not necessarily have to buy new plants every spring, because there are other ways to prevent this besides overwintering old plants. The harp bush grows quite quickly and can be easily propagated by leaf cuttings. When the leaf nodes of hanging shoots hit the ground, small roots quickly form there. After some time, you can easily separate and transplant the daughter plants.
How to care for the harp bush in winter?
Occasionally the harp bush can also be found as a houseplant. In the winter it goes dormant. During this time it needs no fertilizer and less water than during the growing season. Temperatures between 12 and 15 °C are ideal. Under similar conditions, you can also try overwintering your garden harp shrub, for example in a heated greenhouse or conservatory. This is especially true for freshly grown young plants.
The harp bush can be propagated practically at any time. It is best to start in late summer, then next spring you will have vigorous plants that will keep cats and other unwanted animals out of your flower beds.
Take cuttings about 5 - 7 cm long and remove the lower leaves. Then stick these shoots directly into the growing substrate and keep it moderately moist. In a bright place without direct sunlight, fresh roots will form after a short time. Now you can repot the plants. The young plants should remain indoors until the end of May.
Winter tips for the harp bush:
- most species not frost hardy
- Use winter to grow new plants
- ideal winter temperature: 12 - 15 °C
- do not fertilize
- pour little
tips
Use the winter to grow new young plants for the coming spring.