The silver rain, which is considered non-toxic, makes a lot of visual impressions with its long, sweepingly hanging shoots and the silvery hairy leaves clinging to them. But does it lose out in winter or is it hardy?
The silver rain must be brought into the warm before the first frost
Not hardy in this country
Unfortunately, silver rain is not hardy in this country. He does not tolerate frost. Even temperatures around 0 °C put the plant under stress and let it freeze to death. The tender shoots are damaged first. Eventually the roots freeze.
The reason why this creeper is not hardy in this country or generally not frost-tolerant is because it has its origins in tropical to subtropical areas. It is not adapted to frost. For this reason, it is usually cultivated as an annual in Central Europe.
Overwinter the silver rain
Are you very attached to your silver rain? Then you can overwinter it! That is how it goes:
- cut back in autumn before the first frost
- Bring in the pot/box
- put in a bright place
- Temperatures between 10 and 15 °C are ideal
- well suited: cool bedrooms, cold houses, stairwells, conservatories
During the winter there is not much to consider. It is important that the soil does not dry out. Therefore, the silver rain should be poured sparingly from time to time. You should completely avoid fertilizing, because this plant should slow down its growth and not accelerate it! In the spring you can repot the silver rain.
Simply sow again in the spring
If you don't want to go through the hibernation procedure or if something went wrong during the hibernation, don't worry: the silver rain can be sown again in the spring without any problems. All you need is the seeds…
It is best if you sow the seeds at home around mid-January. They are placed in pots with seed soil or covered with a thin layer of soil. Then it's time to keep the soil moist and place it in a warm place. Seeds sprout within 2 weeks at room temperature.
tips
If you plant the silver rain outdoors, the chances of overwintering are poor. Therefore, pot or box culture is generally preferable.