The chocolate flower thrives in warm, sunny locations. But what happens in winter when these conditions are no longer met? We reveal whether it is possible to successfully overwinter a chocolate flower outdoors.
Is the chocolate flower hardy?
Is the chocolate flower hardy? No, it is not hardy and requires a frost-free location during the cold months. Dry, cool and dark conditions are recommended for overwintering. Chocolate flowers can be kept in beds or containers, although their tubers must be dug out of the bed and stored in winter.
Hardy?
The chocolate flower is a perennial, but it is not hardy. Due to its origin - the black cosmos originally comes from California - it is used to a warm to hot climate and does not experience frosty temperatures in the cold season. Although it is now a popular ornamental plant in Germany, it has not adapted to the European climate. So she can't stay outside in winter.
When to bring it into the house?
Before the first frost, the chocolate flower must be moved to a warm location. The first night frosts can occur as early as October. You should also wait until the ice saints are over in mid-May before you take the chocolate flower out of its winter quarters.
Note: The chocolate flower impresses in beds with its dark red flowers. However, it is also suitable for keeping in containers, which makes it much easier to change location for overwintering.
Wintering tips
The following location conditions are recommended for wintering:
- dry location (moisture causes rot)
- cool basement room
- as dark as possible
- Temperatures from 8°C to 10°C
Note: You should ventilate your cellar on frost-free nights.
Overwintering chocolate flowers in a pot
When keeping containers, no other measures are required other than changing the location. The tuber can easily remain in the substrate of the plant pot.
Overwintering chocolate flowers from the bed
After the chocolate flower has bloomed, all that remains is its bulb in the ground. which you have to dig up for overwintering.
Tip
Would you like to expand your chocolate flower inventory? Then now is the right time for a division. To do this, separate as many sections as you like from the existing tuber and overwinter them as individual specimens.
With the chocolate flower, it is common practice to shrivel the tubers and hang them in a potato sack during the winter. In very dry cellars, however, it is recommended to store it in fresh substrate in a ventilated wooden box.
After hibernation
At the end of February and beginning of March it is time to get the chocolate flower used to the rising temperatures. This can be done in the same pot in which the tubers spent the winter. When the weather is nice, the plant enjoys a few hours in the fresh air. Choose a bright, warm location that is not exposed to direct sun.
In addition, you should water your flower regularly from now on. The resumption of fertilizer application also benefits growth in spring. However, remember that you can only plant your chocolate flower outdoors again after the Ice Saints in mid-May, when the night frosts have completely subsided.
