- Overwinter the moth king bright and frost-free
- Properly overwintered, the moth king drives out vigorously in the second year
The so-called moth king (Plectranthus) is often also referred to as incense nettle or elf gold. The frost-sensitive plant is not hardy outdoors in this country, but under the right conditions it can be successfully cultivated for several years.
The moth king has to move indoors or in the heated greenhouse in winter
Overwinter the moth king bright and frost-free
Because of its special smell, this plant is often planted in the garden to deter various types of vermin, as well as cats and dogs. Before the first night frosts, however, you should plant the moth king in a pot and take it inside with you. Similar to the room azalea, the moth king can also hibernate in heated rooms in the house, but a cool and bright room would actually be better. The root ball of the moth king should not dry out in winter, but it should not be kept too moist either.
Properly overwintered, the moth king drives out vigorously in the second year
The question of location when overwintering is particularly important if the moth king is to be planted out again in spring. Once he has gotten used to the constant warmth, he can hardly tolerate the outdoor climate. However, if the incense nettle overwintered cool and light, there is a good chance of a particularly strong new shoot after planting out and pruning. You support this through:
- a sunny location
- extensive watering
- suitable liquid fertilizer
tips
Similar to the dragon tree, the leaves of the moth king have attractively colored variegated leaf structures. With good care, however, extremely impressive inflorescences can form between May and August.