The leaves are falling down - the winter time is approaching with sure steps. Time to winterize the garden plants and say goodbye to annual plant creatures. But what happens to the lemon verbena?
Of long-term and short-term low temperatures
The lemon verbena is not designed to survive a Central European winter. It can only tolerate temperatures of -5 °C for several weeks. The temperatures should not fall any lower in the long term. That would mean the end for the lemon verbena.
In this country this is unrealistic. Most of the time, winter temperatures drop well below -5°C and last for several days and nights. Even in wine-growing regions it likes to get cooler.
But don't worry: If the thermometer display suddenly reads -10 °C overnight, for example, that does not mean that the lemon verbena will freeze to death. For a short time she can cope with such minus temperatures. But then it's time to make it winterproof immediately or bring the pot into the house.
Overwinter, replant or propagate
Don't want to give up your lemon verbena? The cool winter time means that you must either overwinter your lemon verbena or replant them in the spring. Alternatively, you have the option of propagating the shrub in the fall using cuttings and growing them at home until spring.
Overwintering is only worthwhile if the lemon verbena grows in a pot. That's how it's done:
- in autumn cut off all shoots up to 20 cm above the ground
- choose a dark and cool place to spend the winter, e.g. e.g. garage or basement
- rooms with high humidity are ideal
During the winter period, the lemon verbena should be given a touch of care: watering. This is necessary so that the roots survive and do not dry out. Water sparingly and only when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 cm.
tips and tricks
Even if the lemon verbena has to be watered in hibernation mode, it should be protected from fertilization. For this reason, make sure that the irrigation water that you may also use for other plants at home does not contain any liquid fertilizer.
KKF