An important part of Christmas preparations is Advent decoration: For many people, Christmas houseplants are a must on their shopping list. Poinsettias or amaryllis decorate the living room. But how do these and all other plants that are actually used to tropical temperatures get home safely? And survive there safe and sound?

Tips and tricks when buying houseplants

With a few tips, you can safely buy houseplants in winter so that your new roommates arrive at their new home safe and protected.

Millions of poinsettias migrate from the greenhouses to the living rooms at home during Advent. Image: Pexels
Millions of poinsettias migrate from the greenhouses to the living rooms at home during Advent. Image: Pexels

No plants from the entrance area

It starts with selecting the plants. Tropical plants that are located near the entrance to a supermarket or hardware store are already exposed to a massive stress test when they have to endure the warm air from inside when the doors are closed and then again and again the freezing cold air from outside when the doors are opened. This can work, but it doesn't have to. And damage caused by this drafty location usually only becomes noticeable at home when it is too late. Such unfavorable sales locations should not happen in garden centers. If so, this should give customers pause.

Don't buy limp plants

Drooping leaves or limp flowers are often attributed to a lack of water. But simply watering isn't necessarily enough. The limp appearance of a plant can also be attributed to the first frost damage. This doesn't get any better if the plant is bought with the best of intentions. To be sure that you are bringing a healthy plant home, it should also look healthy in the store and not have its flowers and leaves hanging or losing them. If you find dark, discolored leaves or white spots, then the plant most likely already has frost damage.

Do not transport plants unprotected in the cold

It is very important not to transport houseplants unprotected during frost. Plants consist largely of water. And water freezes very quickly at temperatures below zero. Freezing is the worst form of cold damage to a plant. As frozen water expands, the ice crystals destroy the cells, meaning the plant no longer has a chance to maintain its metabolism. Their leaves then wilt or even become mushy and turn dark. Not only leaves and flowers are affected, damage can also occur to roots and shoots. It is therefore important to protect the entire plant from the freezing cold.

If the plants are not well protected for transport with suitable packaging materials when sold, customers should definitely do this themselves. Old newspaper or used bubble wrap are suitable materials. In the car, such tropical plants do not belong in the cold trunk, but in the warmer interior.

Lack of adjustment time

The temperature shock also works the other way around. If plants that have spent a long time in very cool temperatures, they should not be immediately moved to their new place on the windowsill above the living room heater, but should be given the chance to slowly get used to the new, warm temperatures. A few hours or days in a cooler hallway or a less heated room works wonders. But they shouldn't be too dark. Plants need light.

How quickly does frost damage occur?

Caution is advised here because it only takes a few minutes for water in plants to freeze. This can be enough if the air is ventilated for too long or a plant is located directly next to a window that is frequently opened. For tropical and subtropical plants this can already be the case at +5°C. It is advisable to keep an eye on the temperature outside the window.

Despite all caution, frost damage?

If it turns out that your new roommate has been exposed to too much cold despite all the precautionary measures, only patience and confidence will help. Many plants recover despite this temperature stress, but this can take some time. Visible damage such as frozen leaves should only be removed once the plant has sprouted again. If leaves are only partially affected, the frozen part can be cut off. It is best not to cut into the still healthy part so as not to put even more strain on the stressed plant.

Source:

Ökotest , Green Media House , Botanicly
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