Overwintering container plants properly

In short: Many popular container plants such as oleander, citrus trees, olive or fuchsia come from warmer regions and tolerate little or no frost. They need a sheltered place over winter.

In more detail: Light, temperature and water are what matter. Evergreen plants need light even in winter, while deciduous ones can be kept darker. A cool spot is usually better than a warm living room.

In detail

• Bring them in on time: Move frost-sensitive plants to their winter quarters before the first harder frosts. Some species such as oleander cope briefly with a few degrees below zero, others do not.
• Evergreen plants: Oleander, citrus and olive are best overwintered in a light, cool place, such as an unheated but frost-free room or conservatory.
• Deciduous plants: Fuchsias or angel’s trumpets often lose their leaves in winter. They can then be kept cool and darker, for example in a cellar.
• Watering: Water only sparingly in winter so that the root ball does not dry out. Waterlogging is particularly harmful at low temperatures.
• No feeding: During the rest period plants do not need fertiliser. Start feeding again when new growth begins in spring.
• Check for pests: Scale insects and spider mites multiply easily in dry indoor air. Check plants regularly and ventilate on mild days.
• Hardy plants in pots: Even hardy plants are more vulnerable in containers because the roots are less protected. Wrap pots in hessian or fleece and stand them on an insulating base.
• Evergreens outdoors: Evergreen container plants lose water through their leaves even in winter. Water them on frost-free days so they do not dry out.
• Acclimatise in spring: After the last frosts, put the plants in a shady spot first and get them used to the sun gradually, or the leaves may be damaged (garten-im-winter-vorbereiten, zimmerpflanzen-pflegen, richtig-giessen-im-garten).