Long-term and short-term persistent low temperatures
The lemon verbena is not designed to survive a central European winter. It can withstand temperatures of -5 ° C for several weeks. Temperatures should not fall any lower in the long term. That would mean the end for lemon verbena.
also read
- Survive ice and snow - the lemon verbena hibernate
- What care does lemon verbena need?
- How can lemon verbena be propagated?
In this country this is unrealistic. Most of the time, winter temperatures drop well below -5 ° C and last for several days and nights. Even in wine-growing regions it likes to get cooler.
But don't worry: if the thermometer display suddenly shows -10 ° C for one night, for example, this does not mean that the lemon verbena will freeze to death. For a short time it can cope with such sub-zero temperatures. But then it's time to make winterproof immediately or bring the pot into the house.
Hibernate, replant or multiply
You don't want to do without your lemon verbena? The cool wintertime requires you to either hibernate your lemon verbena or replant it in the spring. Alternatively, you have the option of propagating the shrub using cuttings in autumn and growing them at home until spring.
Wintering is only worthwhile if the lemon verbena grows in a pot. That's how it's done:
- in autumn cut off all shoots up to 20 cm above the ground
- Choose a dark and cool area to spend the winter, e.g. B. garage or basement
- Rooms with high humidity are ideal
During the winter months, lemon verbena should be given a touch of care: watering. This is necessary for the roots to survive and not dry out. Water sparingly and only when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 cm.
Tips & Tricks
Even if the lemon verbena has to be watered in winter mode, it should be preserved from fertilization. For this reason, make sure that the irrigation water, which you may also use for other plants at home, does not contain liquid fertilizer.
KKF
