In its homeland, a shady park tree, the Australian chestnut is traded as a houseplant in this country. It has nothing more in common with the native chestnut than the name, because it belongs to the legume family (bot. Fabaceae).
How do you properly care for an Australian chestnut?
Caring for the Australian chestnut includes a warm, sunny location, regular watering without waterlogging, fertilization from spring to autumn and overwintering at room temperature. In summer it can be left outside, but it should be slowly accustomed to direct sun.
The ideal location for the Australian chestnut
The Australian chestnut likes it warm and bright. A sunny to partially shaded spot near the window is therefore ideal. Nevertheless, the plant probably won't bloom in your living room. However, that doesn't detract from their attractiveness.
The Australian chestnut should be slowly accustomed to direct sunlight, but then it can spend the summer in the garden or on your balcony. Take the plant back indoors in good time in the fall before it suffers from cool nights.
Planting and repotting
The Australian chestnut thrives best in humus-rich, permeable soil. You can also use a 1:1 mix of cactus soil and regular potting soil. In the first few years of life, repotting the plant in spring is recommended, later only rarely.
Watering and fertilizing
When it's warm, your Australian chestnut needs a relatively large amount of water. Never let your floor dry out completely, but letting the surface dry slightly won't do any harm. The Australian chestnut also cannot tolerate waterlogging. So water regularly, but in such a way that excess water does not remain in the pot. Fertilize the plant about once or twice a month as it grows.
Overwintering the Australian chestnut
You don't necessarily have to move the Australian chestnut to a (cool) winter quarters, it survives the winter very well at normal room temperature. Under no circumstances should this frost-sensitive plant overwinter below 12 °C. It only survives temperatures around freezing point for a few days.
The care of the Australian chestnut in brief:
- Location: warm, sunny or partial shade
- please put it outside in summer
- slowly get used to direct sun
- water regularly, allow to dry slightly in between
- Avoid waterlogging and prolonged dryness
- fertilize regularly from spring to autumn
- overwinter: at 15 °C or room temperature
Tip
By choosing a small planter, you limit the growth of the Australian chestnut.
