While many perennials in beds develop a certain resistance to cold, potted plants are particularly susceptible to freezing temperatures. Therefore, adequate frost protection is essential in winter. At the same time, incorrect measures can also cause damage to the plant. You can find out which methods have proven successful and what you need to pay attention to in this guide.
How do I protect potted plants from frost in winter?
To protect potted plants from frost in winter, you should insulate the planter, e.g. with bubble wrap or jute, lift the pot off the ground and also briefly cover the plant with linen cloths on very cold days. Also pay attention to irrigation and a protected location.
Tips for the bucket
On particularly icy winter days, even a well-equipped bucket can be powerless against the cold. If the temperatures are very below zero, you should move your plant to a warm place, for example in the house or garage. However, heavy buckets make the move an effort. Read on this page how you can reduce the weight of large plant pots using simple tricks without having to forego an attractive appearance.
Good winter protection
Insulation is essential to make a planter winter-proof. Unfortunately, it doesn't look particularly nice when the garden only consists of covered plants. However, there are ways to still make frost protection attractive:
- Wrap bubble wrap around the bucket.
- On top of this, place a layer of coconut mats, jute, willow mats, barkwood mats or sheep's wool.
- The covers mentioned are also available with colored patterns.
- Alternatively, use a jute planter (€11.00 on Amazon) from the store.
- Secure the cover with a jute cord or braid.
- Apply a layer of mulch to the planting substrate.
- Place the bucket a little higher to avoid contact with the ground.
Stay away from foils
Unlike jute bags or linen cloths, films do not have ventilation holes. Due to the stagnant air under the cover, mold quickly forms on the plant. Therefore, films are not suitable for protecting a plant from frost over the winter. But you should also only put jute or linen fabrics over the plant for a short time. Sufficient light is very important for further growth, especially in winter. Apply a cover only on very cold days.
Care during the winter
Despite low temperatures, watering in winter should not be neglected. However, you must use drainage to ensure that the water in the bucket does not freeze. This can also affect the coaster. But why does the plant need as much water as it does in warm weather? Gardeners often underestimate the enormous power of the winter sun. The intense rays are enough to evaporate the water in the leaves. Therefore, you should not place your planter on a south wall, but rather in a protected location.
