She is beautiful and a real eye-catcher. But it is also poisonous. However, one thing has not yet been clarified: is the parrot plant, which looks so exotic, even hardy?

The parrot plant tolerates winters well in Central Europe

Sufficiently frost hardy in this country

The parrot plant looks as if it came from the tropics. But this appearance is deceptive. It finds its home in North America and is hardy due to this area of origin in this country. It is a perennial that tolerates frost well.

When should you protect the parrot plant from frost?

In certain circumstances, however, you should rather protect your parrot plant from (severe) frost:

  • freshly propagated specimens
  • in rough situations
  • at temperatures below -10 °C
  • parrot plants planted in tubs or pots and placed on the balcony or terrace

Provide winter protection after the leaves have fallen

The parrot plant sheds its foliage in the fall. In addition, their stems die off. The plant retreats to its rootstock and survives there until spring. Their seeds are often blown away and then germinate from March. From mid-October you should provide the plants that are left outside with brushwood, compost or a layer of leaves in the root area.

Overwinter parrot plants indoors in tubs

The plants that are in the bucket should be placed in late autumn in a cool but frost-free place. The soil should not dry out completely, but should remain dry. The parrot plant is not fertilized in winter.

After the winter care is announced

After the parrot plant has successfully overwintered, care is important. From the end of March, these plants receive fertilizer for the first time, for example in the form of liquid fertilizer or compost. They are now watered regularly again when they are in the bucket. It may be necessary to repot or divide them.

tips

From April you can put your overwintered parrot plant outside again and cut it back slightly if necessary.

Category:

Herbs