The hollyhock is considered to be conditionally hardy, which means it can tolerate some frost for a limited time. The hollyhock survives the winter down to around -8 °C or -10 °C without special protection, but at lower temperatures it can have problems.
How do hollyhocks overwinter successfully?
In order to overwinter hollyhocks successfully, sensitive varieties should be kept frost-free at 8-12 °C and less sensitive varieties in rough areas should be covered with leaves or brushwood. Water every two weeks and do not fertilize in winter.
How should the hollyhock overwinter?
It's best to find out when you buy your plant whether your hollyhock is one of the winter-hardy varieties. If you buy seeds, this information will be on the package. In a harsh area, cover the partially hardy species with a layer of leaves or brushwood. This means they are protected from the worst frost. The hollyhock leaves die in the winter anyway, so you don't have to worry about that.
If your hollyhock is not hardy, then move the plant to a frost-free winter quarters in late autumn. Temperatures of around 8 °C to 12 °C are ideal, as the hollyhocks feel most comfortable there.
Water your hollyhocks about every two weeks and make sure that the root ball does not dry out completely in between. Outdoor plants can also be watered from time to time on frost-free days. You can avoid giving fertilizer in winter. Recover your hollyhocks in April to prevent mallow rust.
The best winter tips for the hollyhock:
- overwinter sensitive varieties frost-free
- ideal temperature in winter quarters: approx. 8 – 12 °C
- cover less sensitive varieties with leaves or brushwood
- water about every two weeks
- Don’t let the root ball dry out completely
- do not fertilize
Tip
Even hardy varieties of hollyhock need winter protection in a harsh area during a long period of frost.
