Balcony plants can suffer from the winter cold more than you think. Protecting delicate plants and choosing the right methods becomes essential before the arrival of frost, especially in cities and windy areas.
There are details that escape us sometimes. We are used to seeing strong balcony plants in summer, when a little water in the evening is enough, the soil warming up in the sun, some curious insects buzzing among the leaves. But as soon as the air gets bitter, everything changes. Some species are not prepared for winter at all. Not even in the city, where temperatures seem less severe. Thus, every year, between October and November, the same doubt is repeated: how to protect the plants most sensitive to the cold?
Balcony plants: which ones suffer the cold most?
Not all plants fear winter in the same way. Tropical plants, those with large, fleshy leaves, are the first to suffer. Hibiscus, geraniums, bougainvillea and many varieties of succulents cannot tolerate night frost. But even aromatic herbs, such as basil and mint, can be affected by the first changes in temperature. One night with the thermometer below 5°C is enough to see them wither. Cyclamen and violets, on the other hand, are more resistant, but here too there is a difference: cyclamen love fresh air, not ice.
Then there is a curious detail: potted plants often fear the cold more than their “sisters” in the open ground. The reason is simple, even if we don’t always think about it. In pots the soil cools quickly and the roots remain more exposed. A plant on a windowsill experiences more extreme conditions in November than one in the garden.
When to start protecting plants from the cold
There’s no need to wait for the big cold. Even with the first nights below 10°C, many plants begin to suffer. A rule of thumb? Better to play in advance. Towards the end of October or the beginning of November, it is worth taking a good look at the leaves: if dark spots or soft parts appear, it means that the cold is starting to be felt. There’s no need to panic, but small signs – a leaf that bends, a flower that closes too early – say more than a weather forecast.
One more thing: watch out for drafts. Balconies facing north, or near windy intersections, should be protected first. Some people already put up the sheets at the end of October. Others move the pots under a shed or near the wall. There is no absolute rule, but a certain sensitivity to signals helps more than a thousand calendars.
How to protect sensitive plants on the balcony
There are many methods, sometimes a little is enough. The classic non-woven fabric (the white, light one) works well: it envelops the plant without suffocating it, letting air and light pass through. Some prefer to use cardboard around the pots, or even old sweaters to insulate the roots (maybe not beautiful to look at, but practical). For smaller plants, just move them close to a wall in the house. The heat rising from the walls makes a difference on the coldest nights.
Don’t neglect the saucers. Raising them with wooden or brick feet prevents the roots from being in direct contact with the frost. And watch out for the water: in winter it is better to reduce watering, because stagnation in cold pots is the main cause of rot. Another trick, little used but effective, is to cover the earth with a layer of bark or straw. It serves to keep the temperature more stable and reduces the risk of sudden changes.
In the end, just observe. A plant that survives the winter in good health will have more generous blooms the following spring. And even if it loses a few leaves, that’s not always a bad thing. There are those who, looking at the bare plants on the balcony in January, are surprised at how alive they can be, despite appearing asleep. After all, changing perspective costs nothing.
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