As an evergreen plant, bamboo delights our senses even in winter, when summer plants are bare and gray. Although most types of bamboo are hardy, there are still some special care tips to ensure that overwintering is a success.
How can I overwinter my bamboo successfully?
Overwintering bamboo can be done by choosing winter-hardy varieties, reducing watering in winter but not stopping, choosing a cool interior or frost-proof covers for potted plants and, if necessary. Root heaters used. Potted plants should be protected in heat-insulating materials.
When the outdoor bamboo overwinters as indoor bamboo
Like all plants, bamboos are in a dormant phase during the winter months. The bamboo in a pot or as a container plant can be transported from outside to inside as a mobile, green oasis. So that it beautifies your house, apartment or winter garden during the cold season and survives the winter safely under cover, you should heed the following location and care instructions:
The temperature in the winter quarters should be between 3 and 7 degrees. Uniform air circulation and humidity are also important. As an additional light source, a Flora light (€23.00 on Amazon) is sufficient for an hour. Important: The plant does not survive the winter without damage in heated rooms. Too much heat and dry heating air during the rest phase damages it and causes it to rot. Although the usual water requirements are reduced, the plant must not dry out. Therefore, water less but regularly with lime-free water or bamboo water. Make sure that there is no waterlogging in the pot or saucer. And do not fertilize during the winter rest phase.
How to overwinter bamboo plants outdoors
Ideally, you have already paid attention to hardy bamboo varieties when selecting plants. Whether hardy or not. Whether planted freely or in a pot - in order to overwinter outside, you should prepare the plants and location to be frost-proof:
Depending on the region and temperatures, it makes sense to cover the ground area with straw, reed mats or special fleece and to cover the plants with winter protection. The location should be protected from wind and the plants should not be exposed to too much winter sun. Direct sunlight can cause burns!
This is how bamboos overwinter in pots or buckets
To prevent the planters and root balls from freezing, pack them with heat-insulating materials such as Styrofoam or place them in Styrofoam boxes. Additionally, cover the plants themselves with fleece or bubble wrap. Overwinter bamboo plants in containers under a roof when there is permanent frost. Don't forget to water your bamboo plants on frost-free days. Make sure that the root area neither dries out nor becomes waterlogged and does not freeze! Otherwise the roots will dry out and die.
Tips & Tricks
Heating cables, heating rods or heating plates can prevent the root balls from freezing through in permanent frost. Boxes with an inner lining made of Styrofoam have also proven themselves in practice as additional protection against the cold.
