The garden marshmallow has firmly established itself in our native gardens, while the Chinese hibiscus is mainly found as a container or potted plant on terraces and balconies. Both species have different requirements when it comes to overwintering.

The Garden Marshmallow

Among the hardy hibiscus species is the garden marshmallow, bot. Hibiscus syriacus (also rose mallow), which always impresses with its diverse blossoms. The garden marshmallow has adapted well to our climatic conditions. It also tolerates periods of frost with temperatures down to around -20°C relatively well.

A special winter protection is only necessary for young plants. To do this, you cover the ground around the shrub with bark mulch, dried leaves or fir branches.

As a summer bloomer, the hibiscus sprout quite late, so that night frosts hardly cause any damage to the fresh shoots. Nevertheless, it can happen that individual shoots freeze in winter or during late night frosts. You can simply remove them with regular pruning, the shrub will sprout again in these places.

Hibiscus moscheutus

Another hardy species is the marsh marshmallow, bot. Hibiscus moscheutus. Unlike the garden marshmallow, it is a herbaceous plant whose above-ground parts die off in winter or are cut back heavily before winter. Bark mulch, brushwood or dry leaves can also be used to protect the plant base from the winter. In the spring, the plant will sprout again from below.

Winter protection for the Chinese hibiscus in the tub

The Chinese hibiscus or rose mallow is usually offered as a container or potted plant for the terrace. Hibiscis rosa sinensis, used from June to September
flowers in a sunny spot. The rose mallow is very sensitive and must therefore be brought indoors before the first night frosts appear.

The hibiscus can be pruned slightly before it is brought in, which promotes new growth in spring. Indoors, the hibiscus needs a light location. A room or stairwell with an even temperature between 12 and 15°C or a well-tempered conservatory is ideal. If the temperature falls below 10°C, the plant may die.

In order for the hibiscus to hibernate and bloom vigorously again next year, you should note the following:

  • before bringing in for pest infestation, e.g. aphids,
    check and if necessary correct
  • Remove faded and dead plant parts
  • pour only moderately, the soil must not be too moist
  • in the hibernation, the hibiscus does not need fertilizer
  • regular airing prevents a possible infestation with spider mites

If the hibiscus starts to sprout in spring, you should water it regularly again. With a liquid fertilizer, the hibiscus can now be fertilized about every two weeks. Now is the right time to repot the plant into a larger container. From May the hibiscus can then be brought outside to a sunny and sheltered place.

Well intentioned and yet wrong

Even if it is well intentioned, many "overwintering measures" are exaggerated and only damage the plant. The ground around the garden marshmallow does not have to be covered with an additional film, which leads to rot and thus damages the plant. It is also not necessary to buy extra fleece in the garden center, mulch (€239.00) and brushwood are completely sufficient.

The hibiscus is still blooming and can therefore spend the winter in the warm living room? It is better to give your hibiscus a rest period in cooler rooms so that it can gather strength for the next shoot.

tips and tricks

The hibiscus needs a bright room to hibernate. If it is too dark, it could lose all its leaves. You should therefore only consider hibernating in the basement if the basement has sufficient daylight.

Category:

Vegetable garden