Although the symbolic edelweiss is generally considered to be very easy to care for, it still has its pitfalls. This mainly affects its winter hardiness.

Edelweiss grows in the mountains and is therefore hardy

Protect Edelweiss from moisture

As a typical plant of the high mountains, the edelweiss is of course absolutely hardy. In winter, the above-ground parts of the perennial die off, but they will reliably sprout again in spring - provided that the winter conditions have not killed them. In its natural habitat, the edelweiss is covered by a thick blanket of snow and is thus protected from extreme cold. You should simulate this cover in the event of a frost, for example with fir or spruce branches. However, extreme caution is required in wet winters, as these are deadly for the moisture-sensitive plant.

Protect edelweiss in the pot from frost

Edelweiss in the garden usually does not need any special protection against the cold, but edelweiss in a pot certainly does. Either pack the pot for winter and then place the plant in a sheltered place. Possible protective packaging against frost can be:

  • fleece
  • heat protection film
  • a jute sack filled with leaves

The pot should be left open at the top, but covered with brushwood (e.g. fir or spruce branches). Be sure to avoid excessive moisture, as this is usually the reason why the edelweiss does not survive the winter. It would be best, however, if you would bury the plant and its pot in the garden.

Cut edelweiss before or after winter?

Basically, the dead shoots of the edelweiss should be cut off. However, when you make this cut is up to your personal taste. If you want to get seeds for propagation, you can stand the shoots and let the seeds mature. If this is not the case, you can cut the plant back to ground level immediately after flowering. In this way, the edelweiss can save energy that it would otherwise put into the formation of seeds.

tips and tricks

Edelweiss should always overwinter outside; the plant usually does not survive overwintering indoors due to the lack of light.

Category:

Herbs