Most verbena species do not tolerate frost at all or at least are extremely sensitive when temperatures fall below 0 °C. But with the right strategy, you can keep your verbena for up to 3 years and get it through the winter months.

On the usefulness of overwintering verbena

Basically, it is not advisable to make the effort to overwinter frost-sensitive verbena. These plants bloom from summer to autumn and form numerous seeds with which they like to reproduce independently.

This is how it works: plants outdoors and in pots

Proceed as follows with plants outdoors:

  • cut back to the ground in autumn
  • Water properly for the last time before the onset of the first frost
  • Cover the root area with a thick layer of straw, leaves or brushwood

Potted plants on the balcony:

  • place in a cool, light and well-ventilated space such as the bedroom
  • alternatively: place in a corner on the balcony, fill with foil or fleece, place a block of wood under the pot
  • water sparingly over the winter period (too much moisture increases the risk of fungal diseases and rot)
  • do not fertilize

After hibernation

After the ice saints have passed in May, you can free your verbena in the garden from its frost protection coat and put the pot back on the balcony without protection. If you forgot it in the fall, cut off the shoots to just above the ground.

tips and tricks

If you haven't decided yet, opt for hardy verbena like Verbena hastata or Verbena officinalis.

KKF

Category:

Indoor plants