Sticky seeds (Pittosporum) is a genus of plants within the sticky-seed family, which is particularly characterized by its sticky coated seeds. Shiny leaves and eye-catching inflorescences make these subshrubs a coveted ornament for the home and garden.

Sticky seeds are usually hardy to around -10°C

Cultivate sticky seeds in the bucket

In nature, sticky seeds occur primarily in the paleotropics, this zone includes the following regions of the earth:

  • Africa
  • India
  • South East Asia

Since sticky seeds can only withstand frosty temperatures to a maximum of minus 10 degrees Celsius to a limited extent, they can generally only be cultivated outdoors to a very limited extent in European regions north of the Alps. Unless your garden is on a British Channel Island, pot culture usually produces better results. Similar to palm trees cultivated in the garden or oleanders grown in pots, sticky seeds love their place in the sun outdoors in summer, but they spend the winter better protected in a suitable winter quarters.

The right winter quarters for the sticky seeds

In an ideal winter quarters for sticky seeds, the following conditions prevail:

  • no permanent minus degrees
  • optimal: temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius
  • bright light conditions

For a short time, sticky seeds can withstand drops in temperature down to around minus 10 degrees Celsius. They are therefore less sensitive than some other plants if they are not brought indoors so soon in autumn. Like many potted plants, sticky seeds need the brightest possible winter quarters. The room temperature should be as even as possible between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Maintain sticky seeds indoors all year round

Sticky seeds can not only be grown as potted plants on the balcony and terrace, the low subshrubs and shrubs are also often cultivated as houseplants. The plants get the necessary sunlight, for example, in front of a window front or in the conservatory. However, specimens cultivated indoors all year round should also be placed in a cooler room for the winter and thus be prepared for a phase of hibernation.

tips

Sticky seeds should only be watered relatively little during the winter and should not be freshly fertilized at all if possible. Since these plants are occasionally infested by common spider mites, aphids, mealybugs and mealybugs, you should regularly carry out a brief infestation check on the undersides of the leaves in the winter quarters.

Category:

Garden design