Pittosporum is a genus of plants within the sticky seed family that is particularly characterized by its sticky coated seeds. Shiny leaves and eye-catching inflorescences make these subshrubs a sought-after ornament for the home and garden.
Are sticky seeds hardy?
Sticky seeds (Pittosporum) are conditionally hardy and can withstand temperatures down to a maximum of -10 degrees Celsius. Bright, cool rooms (5-10 degrees Celsius) are ideal for overwintering. Potted plants should be protected in winter and cultivated indoors.
Cultivate sticky seeds in the bucket
In nature, sticky seeds occur primarily in the Paleotropis, this zone includes the following regions of the earth:
- Africa
- India
- Southeast Asia
Since sticky seeds can only withstand frosty temperatures to a maximum of minus 10 degrees Celsius, they can usually only be cultivated outdoors all year round to a very limited extent in European regions north of the Alps. Unless your garden is on a British Channel Island, growing in a container usually produces better results. Similar to palm trees cultivated in the garden or oleanders grown in pots, sticky seeds love their place in the sun outdoors in summer, but they spend the winter better protected in a suitable winter quarters.
The right winter quarters for the sticky seeds
The following conditions prevail in an ideal winter quarters for sticky seeds:
- no permanent minus temperatures
- optimal: temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius
- bright lighting conditions
For a short time, sticky seeds can withstand temperature drops down to around minus 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, they are less sensitive than some other plants if they are not brought indoors as soon as autumn. Like many potted plants, sticky seeds need the brightest possible winter quarters. The room temperature should be between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius as evenly as possible.
Care sticky seeds in the house all year round
Sticky seeds can not only be grown as potted plants on the balcony and terrace, the low subshrubs and bushes are also often cultivated as houseplants. The plants receive the necessary sunlight in front of a window front or in the winter garden, for example. However, specimens that are cultivated indoors all year round should be placed in a cooler room to overwinter and thus prepared for a phase of hibernation.
Tip
Sticky seeds should only be watered relatively little during wintering and, if possible, not fertilized fresh at all. Since these plants are occasionally attacked by common spider mites, aphids, mealybugs and mealybugs, you should also regularly carry out a brief infestation check on the undersides of the leaves in the winter quarters.
