Succulents are masters at regulating your water balance. Over the course of their evolution, they have learned to store every drop of water and survive dry periods unscathed. Read here which types of succulents have also acquired robust winter hardiness. This is how you overwinter the ingenious survival artists in the garden and on the balcony.
Which succulents are hardy?
Hardy succulents include cacti (Opuntia, Echinocereus, Escorbaria), houseleeks (Sempervivum), thickleaf plants (Echeveria elegans, Echeveria agavoides), stonecrops (Sedum) and palm lilies (Yucca filamentosa, Yucca baccata, Yucca gloriosa, Yucca nana). They endure sub-zero temperatures and need protection from moisture in winter.
These succulents are decorative and hardy - a selection
Because their strategy has proven extremely successful, the flora around the globe is rich in succulent families, genera and species. They all have the ability to store water in their leaves, trunks or roots in order to draw on it in dry times. Only a minority are both hardy and attractive to look at. The following overview reveals what these are:
- Cacti (Cactaceae), primarily Opuntia, Echinocereus, Escorbaria as well as rarities such as Gymnocalycium and others
- Houseleek (Sempervivum), almost all of the 200 known species and countless hybrids
- Thickleaf plants (Echeveria), primarily Echeveria elegans and Echeveria agavoides
- Sedum (Sedum), here all species and varieties native to Europe and Asia
In addition, some palm lilies (yucca) are completely frost hardy. These include the popular filamentous palm lily (Yucca filamentosa), the blue palm lily (Yucca baccata), the candle palm lily (Yucca gloriosa) and the dwarf palm lily (Yucca nana). They can all endure sub-zero temperatures down to -20 and -26 degrees Celsius, provided they are protected from moisture.
Conditionally frost-resistant succulents for mild winter locations
Some of the most magnificent succulents are native to Central America and Africa, where in some regions the thermometer drops well below freezing in winter. If your garden has a mild winter microclimate or is within hardiness zones Z8 and Z7, the following succulents are suitable for cultivation outdoors:
- Aloes (Aloe), as the only species the wonderful Aloe aristata with the small teeth on the fleshy leaves
- Agaves (Agave), primarily the Agave inaequidens and the Agave parryi
The Aloe aristata can tolerate temperatures down to -5 degrees Celsius for a short time. If it is equipped with adequate winter protection, temperatures down to -12 degrees Celsius are of little concern to it. The two agaves mentioned are more robust and can withstand temperatures of up to -20 degrees Celsius as long as they are protected from moisture.
Wet protection is the be-all and end-all – tips for wintering
When botanists and master gardeners meet, information about the winter hardiness of succulents is based on the dry conditions in their habitats. Frost resistance is significantly reduced under the influence of the cold, wet winter weather in Central Europe. Providing your hardy succulents with protection from snow and rain will strengthen their resilience. These options have proven themselves well in practice:
- Ideally choose a location in the rain shadow, such as under the canopy, on the house or terrace wall
- Construct a superstructure from 4 posts, a roof made of Plexiglas or weatherproof greenhouse film
- Alternatively, build a tomato house around the succulents
The rain roof should slope at an angle so that water drains away easily and snow pressure does not build up. It is important to note that a moisture protection is open on two sides to ensure unhindered air circulation. A winter tent is not suitable for overwintering succulents outdoors. Even with daily ventilation, rot and mold form on the succulent plant parts within a short time due to the intensive evaporation.
Succulents in the pot want a winter coat
If your hardy succulents are in the pot on the balcony and terrace, they can't do without a thick winter coat. In the limited substrate volume of the plant containers, the root balls are not adequately protected from bitter frost. With this strategy you can get the plants outside he althy and happy through the cold season:
- Before the first frost, move the buckets in front of the south wall of the house
- Place pots on wood or Styrofoam
- Wrap with several layers of bubble wrap
- Put a coconut mat over it that extends a few centimeters beyond the edge of the pot
- Cover the substrate with leaves or straw
Various types of succulents contract during the winter. Cacti in particular are shrinking to a worrying extent. This behavior is of course part of their survival strategy and does not require any special measures.
Always put away small pots
In pots with a diameter of less than 30 cm, even hardy succulents are a lost cause. In this case, we recommend overwintering in a bright, frost-free room behind glass. Care in the winter quarters is limited to a little watering every few weeks so that the soil does not dry out completely. Your winter guests do not receive fertilizer. As soon as severe frosts are no longer expected in spring, you can move the plants to their original location.
Tip
Although succulents differ significantly in their external appearance, they pull together when it comes to substrate quality. The decisive criteria are good permeability and a low-nutrient composition. In the garden, the striking plants prefer a place in the poor soil of rock gardens and gravel beds. In the pot, special cactus or succulent soil meets your needs perfectly.
