Gerbera is perennial, but is usually only kept as an annual plant as a houseplant or in the garden. This is due to the freezing temperatures and the long, dark days in winter. With a few tips you can get your gerbera through the cold season.
Can you keep gerberas for several years?
Gerbera can be kept perennial by bringing it indoors in winter or by cultivating it in the garden as a hardy variety. In the house, the plant needs a bright location with temperatures of 12-15 degrees and winter protection in the garden at temperatures down to minus five degrees.
Gerbera needs a winter break
If you care for gerberas as a houseplant, you can experience a very long bloom if the conditions are right. The location must be warm, bright and not too dry. Then the plant can continuously develop new flowers.
It is usually impossible to create the ideal conditions in the house. Therefore, send the houseplant into hibernation in October. Put them in a place that:
- It's very bright
- Temperatures between 12 and a maximum of 15 degrees
- It's not too dry
- Water only once a month
- Do not fertilize
Cut off dead flowers and dry leaves. Slowly get the gerbera used to the warm place on the windowsill when it is longer light again.
Keeping gerberas in the garden as perennials
There are two ways to care for perennial gerberas in the garden. Either plant a hardy variety or bring the plants indoors in winter.
If you keep hardy gerberas, you must ensure winter protection, as these varieties can also survive a maximum of minus five degrees.
Overwintering gerberas in the house
Dig up non-hardy varieties in September or early October. To do this, dig out the root ball generously and place the plant in a pot with enough soil.
Place the gerbera indoors in a bright place with temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees.
At the beginning of May you start to take the gerberas out of winter dormancy and get them used to the fresh air. You can finally replant them from the end of May, when no more frosts are expected.
Tips & Tricks
Gerbera houseplants purchased in the supermarket or hardware store are often treated with a growth inhibitor. It is intended to ensure that the plant does not grow too tall. These potted plants usually only bloom for one season and cannot be kept for several years.
