Fall is the time to winterize your potted plants, sooner rather than later depending on their species. Winter-hardy plants can spend the winter outside if they are properly prepared, while sensitive ones need suitable winter quarters.

Container plants should be overwintered outside, well insulated

What do I have to protect potted plants from?

Sensitive potted plants should not only be protected from frost, but also from excessive moisture and cold wind. They should therefore be brought to a suitable winter quarters in good time. Depending on the temperature sensitivity of the individual plants, this can be quite early in autumn.

Excessive wetness is often a problem in mild winters that is not always recognized in good time. Then the roots quickly rot and the plant dies. In icy winds, on the other hand, plants freeze to death even at temperatures well above freezing. When wintering in the garden, it is best to choose a place that is well protected from wind and rain.

Do frost hardy plants need winter protection?

You should also treat your frost-hardy potted plants to winter protection. The root ball in particular can freeze surprisingly quickly. So pack the planter warm. Air-permeable material such as burlap sacks or an old blanket often works better than impermeable bubble wrap, especially if you're wrapping parts of the plant with it.

Does it make sense to cut back in the fall?

A pruning in autumn makes sense if you want to bring the corresponding plant to a winter quarter with little space. Otherwise you should not cut back your potted plants before winter. On the one hand, the green serves as additional winter protection, but on the other hand, for example with Chinese reed, it can also be very decorative.

The essentials in brief:

  • do not fertilize after August
  • Bring sensitive plants to their winter quarters early
  • pay attention to suitable lighting conditions in the winter quarters
  • Avoid pruning in the fall if possible
  • Protect root ball from frost
  • Water evergreen plants even in winter

tips

If you make your potted plants winter-proof in good time, then you will certainly enjoy them next year.

Category:

Indoor plants