Hydrangeas are relatively hardy and can remain in their planters on the balcony or terrace during the cold season. Alternatively, a frost-free room can be used as winter quarters. You can find out what you need to pay attention to when overwintering the hydrangea in this article.
How can you overwinter a hydrangea in a pot?
To overwinter a hydrangea in a pot, place the planter in a location protected from wind and sun, cover the pot with jute or bubble wrap, cover the hydrangea with plant fleece and check the soil moisture regularly. The plant still needs to be watered in winter.
Preparing for winter
Prepare the plant for the winter period in the fall with appropriate care measures.
Set fertilizer
So that the hydrangeas do not freeze back at low temperatures, the plant should no longer be fertilized in autumn. As a result, the shoots fully mature and are frost-resistant. In addition, the hydrangea does not sprout immediately on the first mild days of spring, which can lead to the flower buds freezing in the event of sudden night frosts.
Remove dried plant parts
In autumn, carefully cut off all withered and damaged plant parts. These are entry points for numerous plant diseases and fungi. Be sure to avoid radical pruning, as this robs the plant of a lot of its strength at the beginning of winter dormancy.
Fight diseases and parasites
When pruning, check the hydrangea for common pests such as
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Thrips
and any plant diseases. Fight these with effective means (€9.00 at Amazon) before the hydrangea moves into winter quarters.
Suitable planters
So that the soil in the bucket does not completely freeze, it should have a diameter of at least forty centimeters. Thick-walled tubs are ideal because the material provides a certain degree of protection from the cold.
Overwintering hydrangeas in the house
Hydrangeas that are grown in smaller pots should be moved to a bright and cool room, such as the basement, before the first frosts. Temperatures of around five degrees are optimal. Please remember that the hydrangea needs to be watered regularly even in winter.
Overwinter hydrangeas in a pot on the balcony
If the hydrangea is in a sufficiently large planter, you can also care for it on the balcony or terrace in winter. To ensure that the plant survives the cold season well, follow these steps:
- Place the hydrangea in a pot in a place on the wall of the house that is protected from the wind and sun.
- Wrap the pot in jute or bubble wrap.
- Cover the hydrangea with a special plant fleece.
- Check regularly whether the soil is still moist and water if necessary.
Tips & Tricks
Leave the dried flower heads on the hydrangea during the winter. These protect the emerging flowers from frost.
