Succulents are masters at regulating their water balance. In the course of their evolution, they have learned to store every drop of water and survive dry periods unscathed. Read here which succulent species have also acquired robust winter hardiness. This is how you overwinter the ingenious survivors in the garden and on the balcony.

Sempervivum is hardy

These succulents are ornamental and hardy - a selection

Because their strategy has proven to be extraordinarily successful, the flora around the globe is richly populated with succulent families, genera and species. They all have the ability to store water in their leaves, stems or roots in order to use it during dry periods. Only a minority is both hardy and attractive in appearance. The following overview reveals what these are:

  • Cacti (Cactaceae), primarily Opuntia, Echinocereus, Escorbaria and rarities such as Gymnocalycium and others
  • Houseleek (Sempervivum), almost all of the 200 known species and countless hybrids
  • Thick leaf plants (Echeveria), primarily Echeveria elegans and Echeveria agavoides
  • Stonecrops (Sedum), here all species and varieties native to Europe and Asia

In addition, some palm lilies (yucca) are completely frost hardy. These include the popular filamentous yucca (Yucca filamentosa), blue yucca (Yucca baccata), candle yucca (Yucca gloriosa) and dwarf yucca (Yucca nana). They all endure minus temperatures down to - 20 and - 26 degrees Celsius, as long as they are protected from moisture.

Conditionally frost-resistant succulents for locations with mild winters

Some of the most gorgeous succulents are native to Central America and Africa, where winter temperatures fall well below freezing in some regions. If your garden has a mild winter microclimate or is within hardiness zones Z8 and Z7, the following succulents are suitable for outdoor cultivation:

  • Aloes (Aloe), as the only species the wonderful Aloe aristata with the small teeth on the fleshy leaves
  • Agaves (agave), primarily the agave inaequidens and the agave parryi

The aloe aristata tolerates temperatures down to - 5 degrees Celsius for a short time. If it is equipped with adequate winter protection, temperatures down to -12 degrees Celsius don't bother it much. The two agaves mentioned are more robust and can withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius, provided they are protected from moisture.

Protection against moisture is the be-all and end-all - tips for wintering

When botanists and master gardeners make statements about the winter hardiness of succulents, these are related to the dry conditions in their habitats. Under the influence of the cold, wet winter weather in Central Europe, frost resistance is significantly reduced. By providing your hardy succulents with shelter from snow and rain, resilience is boosted. These options have proven themselves well in practice:

  • Ideally choose a location in the rain shadow, such as under the canopy, on the house or patio wall
  • Construct a superstructure from 4 posts, a roof made of Plexiglas or weatherproof greenhouse film
  • Alternatively build a tomato house around the succulents

The rain cover should slope down so that water runs off well and snow pressure does not build up. It is important to note that a moisture protection is open on two sides to ensure unhindered air circulation. A winter tent is not suitable for wintering succulents outdoors. Even with daily airing, rot and mold will form on the succulent parts of the plant within a short period of time as a result of the intensive evaporation.

Succulents in pots want a winter coat

If your hardy succulents are in the limelight in pots on the balcony or patio, they can't do without a thick winter coat. In the tight substrate volume of the planters, the root balls are not adequately protected from the freezing frost. With this strategy, you can keep the plants outside healthy and lively through the cold season:

  • Before the first frost, rearrange the buckets in front of the south wall of the house
  • Place pots on wood or styrofoam
  • Cover with several layers of bubble wrap
  • Pull a coconut mat over it that protrudes the edge of the pot by a few centimetres
  • Cover the substrate with leaves or straw

Various types of succulents shrink during the winter. Cacti in particular are shrinking to an alarming extent. Of course, this behavior is part of their survival strategy and does not require any special measures.

Always put away small pots

In pots with a diameter of less than 30 cm, hardy succulents are also lost. In this case, we recommend overwintering in a bright, frost-free room behind glass. In the winter quarters, care is limited to a little watering every few weeks so that the soil does not dry out completely. Your winter guests do not receive fertilizer. As soon as no more severe frosts are to be expected in spring, you can clear out the plants to their original location.

tips

Although succulents differ significantly in their external appearance, they all pull together when it comes to the quality of the substrate. Decisive criteria are good permeability and a low-nutrient composition. In the garden, the striking plants favor a place in the poor soil of rock gardens and gravel beds. In the pot, special cactus or succulent soil meets your requirements perfectly.

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Vegetable garden