The ideal temperatures in a greenhouse for overwintering potted plants are above 5 °C, but vary quite a bit depending on the type of plant. The exotics overwinter optimally if the interior is divided into several climate zones in which the plants are not too close together.
What are ideal conditions for container plants to overwinter in a greenhouse?
Greenhouses for overwintering potted plants should be at least frost-free and offer temperatures between 5 to 8 °C. For optimal conditions, several climate zones can be set up to suit the different plant species and adequate ventilation and suitable shading must be provided.
First of all, the potted plants should be placed in a protective greenhouse in good time before the first frost. Since there are usually different varieties, a compromise must be found when it comes to temperatures that suits all plants as best as possible. Your greenhouse for overwintering potted plants should be at least frost-free, ideal would becontinuous heating between 5 to 8 °C Some particularly sensitive plants, such as the hibiscus, even need around 12 hours during their natural rest phase °C.
The greenhouse equipment for winter guests
If the house only has a simple glass cover, additional insulation, for example with a bubble wrap (€34.00 on Amazon), is recommended to provide better heat. Care must also be taken to ensure adequate ventilation options, if necessary viaforced ventilation using a fan, especially if the potted plants are quite close together. On days with intense sunlight, external or internal shading is also helpful, as it not only protects against extreme light during winter rest, but also keeps heating costs within limits. Some examples of the climatic conditions that a greenhouse should provide for overwintering potted plants:
| Name of the plant | recommended temperature (°C) | Light conditions |
|---|---|---|
| African Lily | 8 to 10 | bright |
| Begonia | 10 to 15 | dark |
| Boxwood | cool, around 0 °C | bright |
| Dahlias | frost-free | dark |
| Citrus plants | 8 to 10 | bright |
| Gladiolus | frost-free | dark |
| Laurel | just above 0 °C | bright |
| lantana | 8 to 10 | bright |
| Freesia | around 15 | dark |
| Gentian | frost-free | bright |
Caring for potted plants during overwintering
Basically, your winter guests need very little water and hardly any additional nutrients until well into February. Only when you notice that the crumbly soil is starting to loosen around the edge of the pot do you carefully apply something to the roots. This is different with the tropical species, which require moderate watering and fertilization even during the winter months. From March onwards, however, the water requirement will be slightly higher for all potted plants, as budding will now slowly start again. Particularly important: During the overwintering of the potted plants, pay regular attention topossible pest infestations and the usual plant diseases and remove dead plant parts regularly.
Tip
Start by moving outside, depending on the frost hardiness of the plants for varieties that have not yet sprouted. When frost is no longer expected from mid-May, all potted plants can be moved outside again.
