Mediterranean plants must be allowed in winter. What about the Strelitzia? Does it tolerate frost, does it shed its leaves, or should it be hibernated to survive?
Strelitzias are not hardy and must be overwintered indoors
Not winterized
The Strelitzia is not hardy. It absolutely does not tolerate frost. Even temperatures below 10 °C paralyze their growth. If the thermometer reads between 0 and 5 °C, this tropical plant is so weakened that it can die.
Therefore, you should only cultivate this plant as a houseplant in a pot. When temperatures in September/October are around 12°C at night, it is time to put the parrot flower inside.
Change location
If you want to enjoy your Strelitzia every year, you should overwinter it. A change of location is advisable for this purpose. Was the plant outside over the summer? Then it should be put in in the fall. The hibernation location should be bright but cool.
Suitable wintering sites
Light is important as this plant is evergreen and needs light for photosynthesis even in winter. The warmer the location, the more light is required. It is therefore better to choose a cooler but frost-free place! For example:
- staircase
- bedroom
- conservatory
- hallway
Usual room temperatures are less recommended
Room temperatures of 20 °C and more are rather bad for the Strelitzia to overwinter. But it is possible. It is bad because the plant does not really hibernate at such high temperatures. However, she needs this in order to gather strength and be able to flower a few months later.
Overwinter at 10 to 12 °C
From September to around January, this plant comes into its winter quarters. It should ideally be between 10 and 12 °C cool there. Now it's time to water less and stop fertilizing. From February, the Strelitzia can move to a warmer place and from mid-May it can go outside.
tips
If possible, try to choose a location where the humidity is not too low. Dry heating air can quickly lead to pest infestation (especially scale insects) in the Strelitzia.