Chrysanthemums bring color to the autumnal garden and lift the mood when the days become shorter and grayer again. However, the perennials originally from East Asia are not always hardy. Specimens cultivated in pots in particular need protection in winter.
How can you overwinter chrysanthemums in a pot?
In order to successfully overwinter chrysanthemums in pots, hardy varieties should remain outdoors and be wrapped with a jute sack or fleece, while non-hardy varieties should be brought indoors under cold house conditions. In both cases the plant must be kept moist.
Overwinter potted chrysanthemums properly
Basically you have two options for keeping chrysanthemums in pots over the winter. If it is a winter-hardy variety, the pot can remain outside - provided it is large enough, as small plant containers freeze too quickly - and is wrapped with a jute sack or fleece. On the other hand, cut the dead plant down to just above the ground; it will sprout again in spring. Cover the substrate and root area with a thick layer of leaves and brushwood. There is a styrofoam plate under the bucket (€14.00 on Amazon) to keep out the cold radiating from the ground. On the other hand, chrysanthemums that are not hardy (or only hardy) belong in the house under cold house conditions (i.e. bright and frost-free, but cool).
Tips & Tricks
Chrysanthemums should definitely be kept moist even in winter!
