Colored nettles are particularly impressive with their attractive leaf colors and shapes and a large variety of varieties. Their appearance ensures a spectacular appearance as a container or houseplant, because they are not winter hardy.
Hardy or not?
The colored nettle originally comes from regions with significantly warmer temperatures. The climatic conditions in this country are therefore not ideal for these plants, it is far too cold. It doesn't even have to be frosty, autumn temperatures can cause irreparable damage. Frost is usually fatal to the colored nettle.
Any damage caused by frost can no longer be corrected or repaired. When planted in the bed, colored nettles only grow as an annual. However, the plants can also be dug up and planted in pots over the winter. In the tub or as a houseplant they can then be kept for several years with appropriate overwintering and proper care and develop into shrub-like plants about 80 cm high.
Tip: Can over the summer
these pieces of jewelery can be left outdoors without any problems, but must be cleared again in good time.Prepare for wintering
In order to get these plants through the cold season, some preparation is necessary. They start in August.
- Stop fertilizing from the end of August
- do not start again until March
- also cut off the inflorescences in August
- no unnecessary force for the formation of seeds is lost
- Pruning plants that have been outdoors in summer
- can prevent possible fungal diseases
- Remove all wilted, dead or diseased parts of the plant
- Check the colored nettle for pests
If there is a pest infestation, it should be eliminated before moving it to the winter quarters. Sometimes it can make sense to cut back the plant by about two thirds. This is particularly useful if the space in the winter quarters is limited.
Time to clear
Since the colored nettle is already on cooler temperatures
if you react sensitively, you shouldn't wait too long before putting it away. Definitely not until the first frost. At the latest when the temperatures approach the 15-degree mark, it is time to move to winter quarters. If they fall permanently under, the plant stops growing. The result is withered leaves or even leaf fall. However, there is nothing against bringing the colored nettle into the house much earlier.
Care in winter quarters
As a rule, all rooms that are bright and at least 15 degrees warm are suitable as winter quarters. It shouldn't get colder. A sunny window sill is very suitable, especially in terms of light output.
- Temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees are ideal
- ensure sufficient humidity in heated rooms
- by spraying the plant every two to three days
- or setting up humidifiers
- Water very sparingly in winter
- The substrate should not dry out completely
- The amount and frequency of pouring depend on the prevailing temperatures
- the cooler the quarter, the less pour it
- do not fertilize until spring
Tip: The winter quarters should not be too warm due to the limited light intensity during the cold season. The heat would stimulate the metabolism, but the colored nettle cannot produce new ones
Form reserve substances that it needs for healthy growth.Hibernate as an offshoot
A good alternative for a particularly space-saving winter storage is cutting and wintering of cuttings. This is also useful for specimens that are already heavily lignified and bald, for which wintering is often no longer worthwhile. You cut approx. 10 cm long leafy, not yet lignified shoot pieces. Except for the upper pair of leaves, all leaves are removed and the cuttings are rooted in the water glass. After the roots have taken root, plant them in small pots with potting soil and put them in a cool and light place for the winter. Care in winter corresponds to that of adult plants.
Failure to hibernate
Good ventilation should be provided in winter quarters without causing drafts. Without adequate ventilation, both fungal and animal pests such as spider mites, mealybugs and mealybugs have an easy time. They occur above all when the air in the heating system is too dry and warm in winter. The plants should not be too close either.
Furthermore, the colored nettle should not be too dark, this would result in the formation of long, thin, soft and powerless shoots known as Geiltriebe. If too much water is poured in winter, there is a risk of waterlogging and root rot. Irrigation water that collects in saucers or planters should also be removed promptly. If this does not happen and the pad is permanently wet, it will cause cold feet, which the colored nettle could resent.
Tip: Ideally, you only use lime-free or lime-free water for watering.
