The Christmas rose blooms in the middle of winter. It tolerates frost well - even without additional winter protection. However, in rougher locations or when kept in a pot, you should provide light protection so that the flower, also known as the Christmas rose, develops flowers earlier.
Is the Christmas rose hardy and does it need winter protection?
The Christmas rose is hardy and normally does not require winter protection. However, in rough locations or in pots, light protection with leaves, bark mulch or foil is recommended to avoid drying out and frost and to promote earlier flowering.
Overwintering the hardy snow rose outdoors
The low temperatures are less of a problem for the snow rose than excessive drying out of the soil. This can be a problem in winters with little precipitation.
It is best to plant the snow rose in a favorable spot in a somewhat more sheltered location. A location under trees and bushes that shed leaves in autumn is ideal.
Just leave the leaves lying there. They provide natural winter protection and at the same time prevent the earth from drying out too much.
Overwintering in harsh locations
If the wind blows unhindered over the area, even the hardy Christmas rose can freeze to death. Provide winter protection by using mulching materials such as
- Leaves
- Bark mulch
- Grass clippings
- Straw
spread out as a blanket around the Christmas rose.
The Christmas rose in the pot needs more winter protection
When caring for it in a pot, even the hardy Christmas rose always needs winter protection. The soil cools down much more in the pot than in the open ground.
Place the pot on a Styrofoam plate to protect the snow rose from below. A good location is a sheltered corner on the terrace. Additionally, cover the Christmas rose with foil (€34.00 on Amazon) or fleece from the hardware store if the place is very drafty.
Don't let the soil dry out completely. Water whenever the top part has dried out. Under no circumstances should you fertilize the Christmas rose in the pot in winter.
Overwintering Christmas roses in the house
The Christmas rose can also be overwintered indoors if necessary.
It should then be as cool and bright as possible, but not sunny. Make sure that the soil does not dry out completely.
With a bit of luck, even older Christmas roses will bloom around Christmas time.
Tips & Tricks
The Christmas rose owes its nickname Christmas rose to the flowering that is possible in the house around Christmas time. In the past, the plants were cultivated specifically for flowering at Christmas.
