Snakebeard is an ornamental plant that is grown in the garden and in containers as well as as a houseplant. While the houseplants are not hardy, the decorative black snake's beard can survive temperatures down to minus 10 degrees for a short time.
Is snake beard hardy and how do you protect it in winter?
Is snake beard hardy? Black snake beard is partially hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees for short periods. Protect the location in the garden, do not cut in autumn, cover with mulch and brushwood. Snake beard is not hardy in a pot and needs a protected, frost-free place.
Wintering the black snake beard outdoors
- Plant in a protected location
- never cut in autumn
- Cover soil with mulching material
- Cover the plant with brushwood or fir
Plant snake beard in a convenient location in the garden. It should be bright but protected. Above all, it shouldn't be too drafty.
To protect against frost, do not cut the snake beard in autumn, but wait until spring before cutting it back.
A thick layer of mulch not only ensures that the soil does not cool down too much, it also prevents the soil from drying out in winter. Suitable materials include mature compost, leaves, grass clippings or straw.
Overwintering snake's beard in a bucket
Snakebeard looks very decorative in the pot. In summer, the pot can be moved to the terrace or to a sunny spot in the garden. Before winter approaches, you must ensure appropriate winter protection, as snake beard is not hardy in a pot.
Find a protected location on the terrace for the snake's beard. Corners near the house wall are well suited. Here the plant is protected from the wind and gets some warmth through the wall. Place the bucket on wood or Styrofoam to protect the soil from frost below.
Cover the pot with bubble wrap and cover the plant with brushwood or pine branches. Here, too, the snake beard must not be cut in autumn. Don't forget to water the plant on frost-free days so that the soil doesn't dry out completely.
Snakebeard as a houseplant is not hardy
If you care for snake beard as a houseplant all year round, you must note that the plant needs a rest period from mid-October to early March.
During this time, the pot is placed in a cool but bright place. The temperatures should be between five and eight degrees.
The overwintering room must be frost-free, as the houseplant is not hardy and will die immediately.
Tip
Strong winter sun can burn the leaves of black snakebeard. That's why protection from the sun makes sense. Burnt leaves are cut in spring.
