The forget-me-not is a native, hardy plant. It is used to cold winters and can easily survive periods of severe frost. Winter protection is only advisable for freshly planted perennials or for care in pots.
Is the forget-me-not hardy?
Forget-me-nots are hardy and can easily survive frost outdoors. Winter protection is only necessary for freshly planted perennials or potted plants. Leaves, brushwood or fir branch covers and insulated pot positions help here.
The forget-me-not is hardy
Even strong frost cannot harm the forget-me-not outdoors. The popular spring flower is hardy and requires no special winter protection. However, there are a few exceptions where it makes sense to provide protection against frost.
When is winter protection necessary?
Forget-me-not is usually kept as a biennial plant. Sowing takes place in the first year, followed by flowering in the second year. Sowing should take place by July so that the young forget-me-nots can be planted out by autumn.
If the perennial is sown too late, it can only be transplanted later. It does not have enough time to develop roots and foliage and is not fully hardy.
In this case, you should protect the forget-me-not from severe frost in winter with a cover of leaves or brushwood. A cover with fir branches is also possible.
Overwintering forget-me-nots in the pot
If you grow forget-me-nots in a pot on the balcony or terrace, winter protection is always necessary. You can overwinter the pots in a frost-free but very cool place, such as a cold greenhouse. A basement is suitable if it is bright enough. However, overwintering in a warm room is not possible.
If you don't have a greenhouse or there isn't enough space in the basement, you can also overwinter forget-me-nots outside. The forget-me-not will survive the winter in the pot if you protect it sufficiently from frost:
- Place the bucket on Styrofoam or wood
- Wrap the pot with bubble wrap
- Covering plants with leaves
Place the pot in a protected corner on the balcony or terrace. Make sure the soil does not dry out completely. On frost-free days you can water the forget-me-not once.
Tip
Forget-me-not is an ideal children's plant. It is easy to grow, blooms almost always and is also completely non-toxic.
