In terms of winter hardiness, the types of wire bush are quite different. While the black-fruited wire bush, Mühlenbeckia axillaris, is moderately hardy, the white-fruited wire bush, Mühlenbeckia complexa, can only tolerate frost for a few days and is therefore not necessarily hardy.
Is the wire bush hardy?
The black-fruited wire bush (Mühlenbeckia axillaris) is moderately hardy and can overwinter outside with winter protection made of leaves, brushwood or fleece. The white-fruited wire bush (Mühlenbeckia complexa) can only tolerate frost for a short time and is better off overwintering frost-free.
Which wire bush can overwinter outside?
In a harsh area, at most the black-fruited wire bush should overwinter outside. However, it then requires sufficient winter protection, although in some cases it can tolerate temperatures as low as -20 °C. Cover the plant with a layer of brushwood and leaves so that it can still get air underneath or protect the wire bush with a plant fleece (€10.00 on Amazon).
Which winter quarters are suitable for non-frost-hardy wire bushes?
The winter quarters for the white-fruited wire bush should be frost-free and bright. Ideally the temperature there is around 5 °C to 10 °C. If there is too little light, it easily forms horny shoots; these should be cut off in spring. Maybe you have a winter garden that has this temperature or a frost-free greenhouse. The wire bush would feel very comfortable there.
How should I care for my wire bush in winter?
The wire bush is quite easy to care for, even in winter. All it needs is a little water so that the root ball doesn't dry out too much. Some species are very suitable as houseplants, but you should keep them a little cooler in winter. Do not fertilize the wire bush at all until April.
Does the wire bush need special care in spring?
In the spring, uncover the wire bush that has overwintered outside early so that it can get some air. Occasional night frosts usually do not harm it. If you repot it now, it won't need fertilizer for some time. Otherwise, give it a slow-release fertilizer or fertilize it monthly. If your wire bush is a ground cover, you can mow it down to stimulate sprouting.
Wintering tips for the wire bush:
- can overwinter outside: Mühlenbeckia axillaris
- Winter protection: leaves, brushwood or fleece
- water something on frost-free days
- can only tolerate frost for a short time: Mühlenbeckia complexa
- Possible winter quarters: cool winter garden, greenhouse
- water little
- do not fertilize
Tip
The white-fruited wire bush tolerates less frost than the black-fruited wire bush. Therefore it is better to overwinter frost-free.