With its fluffy flowers in bright colors, the slipper flower (Calceolaria) is a popular flowering plant for balconies, gardens and indoor plants. Its flowers are reminiscent of a slipper, hence the German name for this interesting plant, which originally comes from the subtropics of South America.
Are there winter-hardy slipper flowers?
Are slipper flowers hardy? Some varieties such as Calceolaria integrifolia “Sunset”, “Sunshine” and “Goldbukett” are particularly hardy and sprout successfully in spring. Other varieties require protection in winter with leaves and brushwood or frost-free overwintering at 10 °C in cold house conditions.
Slipper flowers in indoor culture
There are around 300 different species of slipper flower, some of which are annual, some of which are biennial or even perennial. The specimens mostly sold in August are usually just annual varieties that bloom over the winter and eventually die after flowering. These plants don't need any special overwintering, they just get a nice, warm place on the windowsill at home.
Biennial and perennial slipper flowers
Other species and varieties were bred specifically for perennial cultivation on the balcony or in the garden, although the slipper flowers in particular, which are sometimes declared to be “hardy”, are not. Although you can plant hardy slipper flowers in the garden, the plants there need sufficient protection by covering them with leaves and brushwood. In particular, two-year-old, usually not winter-hardy varieties overwinter under cold house conditions, frost-free but cool at a maximum of 10 °C. Be sure to ensure there is enough light in your winter quarters!
Propagate slipper flowers
Instead of laboriously overwintering the plants, you can simply use the mother plant for propagation in the fall and bring the cuttings over the winter instead.
Cut back slipper flowers?
Unlike many other perennials, you don't have to cut slipper flowers back before the winter break. Instead, it is sufficient to regularly remove faded and dried parts of the plant - then the plant will often develop another flower. However, you should water slipper flowers in their winter quarters from time to time, but fertilizing can be omitted.
Tip
The garden slipper flower (Calceolaria integrifolia) was bred specifically for planting in the garden. Particularly winter-hardy varieties are “Sunset”, “Sunshine” and “Goldbukett”. These usually sprout again quite successfully in the spring.