Mediterranean plants need to be put away in winter. What about the Strelitzia? Does it tolerate frost, does it drop its leaves or should it be overwintered to survive?
Is the Strelitzia hardy and how do you overwinter it?
The Strelitzia is not hardy and cannot tolerate frost. To overwinter it should be placed in a bright and cool location in the house at 10 to 12 °C, such as a stairwell, bedroom, winter garden or hallway. The following applies: water little, do not fertilize and avoid dry heating air.
Not winterproof
The Strelitzia is not hardy. It absolutely cannot tolerate frost. Even temperatures below 10 °C paralyze their growth. If the thermometer display moves between 0 and 5 °C, this tropical plant is weakened to such an extent that it can die.
Therefore, you should only cultivate this plant as a houseplant in a pot. When the temperatures are around 12°C at night in September/October, it's time to put the parrot flower inside.
Make a location change
If you want to enjoy your Strelitzia every year, you should overwinter it. A change of location is advisable. Did the plant sit outside over the summer? Then it should be put in in the fall. The location for overwintering should be bright but cool.
Suitable wintering locations
Light is important because this plant is evergreen and needs light for photosynthesis even in winter. The warmer the location, the more light is required. It is therefore better to choose a cooler but frost-free place! For example, the following are suitable:
- Staircase
- Bedroom
- Winter Garden
- Hallway
Normal room temperatures are less recommended
Room temperatures of 20 °C and more are rather bad for overwintering the Strelitzia. But it is possible. It's bad because the plant doesn't have a proper winter rest at such high temperatures. However, it needs this to gather strength and be able to bloom a few months later.
Overwinter at 10 to 12 °C
From September until around January, this plant comes into its overwintering quarters. It should ideally be between 10 and 12 °C. Now it's time to water little and stop fertilizing. From February the Strelitzia can move to a warmer place and from mid-May it can go outside.
Tip
Try to choose a location where the humidity is not too low. Dry heating air can quickly lead to pest infestation (especially scale insects) on the Strelitzia.