The impressive mammoth leaf originally comes from Brazil and is considered to be partially hardy. The perennial usually does not survive a harsh winter unprotected. Therefore, you should think about how to winterize your mammoth leaf.
How do I winterize a mammoth leaf?
To winterize a mammoth leaf, cut off wilting leaves in autumn, shorten stems to 30 cm and remove damp foliage. Cover the plant with brushwood, fir branches or coconut mats so that it can breathe and protect potted plants in frost-free rooms.
When the mammoth leaf overwinters in the garden
Frost down to around -10 °C is usually not a problem; in a mild area, the mammoth leaf can overwinter without additional protection. However, it should also be prepared for winter there. Cut off the wilting leaves in autumn and shorten the remaining stems to about 30 centimeters.
Also remove anything that encourages root rot or where pests could nest, such as damp leaves and other plant parts. To protect against cold frost, cover your mammoth leaf with brushwood, fir branches, cut mammoth leaves, coconut mats or fleece. Make sure there is sufficient air exchange, this will also prevent the mammoth leaf from rotting.
Overwintering the mammoth leaf in the bucket
The mammoth leaf can also be planted in a pot and decorate your garden. If you want to overwinter outside, the root ball must be well protected from frost on all sides. Place the bucket on a thick wooden or Styrofoam board and wrap it with an old blanket or something similar.
An alternative is a frost-free winter quarters for your potted plant. Light is not required, a cool basement room is sufficient. Do not let the root ball dry out completely, the mammoth leaf does not need any more care in its winter quarters.
The mammoth leaf in spring
If it slowly gets warmer again in spring, then start airing your mammoth leaf regularly, but initially only for a short time during the day. Later extend the ventilation times. If the nights are frost-free, you can remove the winter protection. The young shoots of the perennial rot easily, and pests also like to nest in the old winter protection. Therefore, the protection should not remain for too long.
The most important things in brief:
- hardy to around – 10 °C
- cut back in autumn
- Protect from rot and moisture
- Cover air-permeable
- Do not remove winter protection too early (late frosts!)
- It is better to overwinter frost-free as a container plant
Tip
If there are late night frosts, you may want to cover your mammoth leaf again in the evening.
