Cultivating Christmas roses in pots and caring for them in summer and winter is comparatively easy. Here you can find out what is important when it comes to pot size, substrate and location as well as watering and fertilizing.

In a nutshell

  • sunny and cool locations are ideal
  • Waterlogging is urgently to be avoided
  • Soil for Christmas roses should be a special mix
  • deep planters are preferable
  • Hibernation is also possible outside in the bucket

location

Christmas roses don't need much sun. A north-facing balcony is therefore optimal. The following factors are also important when planting the Christmas rose in pots:

  • partial shade to full shade
  • cool
  • If possible covered as protection against heavy rain
  • not too dark
  • protected from wind

The Christmas rose can also be completely outdoors in pot culture. However, it should then also be protected from harmful influences. This can be done, for example, by placing it near a wall, wall or larger plants.

substrate

The soil for the Christmas rose in the pot must be able to store moisture well, but it must also be permeable and not prone to waterlogging. A moderate nutrient content is also important. Experience has shown that a mixture of the following ingredients is ideal:

  • potting soil
  • compost
  • Lavagris or Perlite
  • sand

As a result, the earth fulfills all the conditions that it has to live up to in the Christmas rose.

Planter & Pot Size

The material of the flower pot is irrelevant. However, the format is not. Because the Christmas roses in the pot need a lot of space below. A pot or bucket that is very high should therefore be chosen. In order to still ensure stability, the scope must also be correspondingly large. In addition to the stability and the resulting stability, another advantage is that maintenance is comparatively easy and overwintering is easier. Because the more soil there is, the more water and nutrients can be stored. In addition, the earth also serves as insulation against frost damage.
If the Christmas roses are also to be overwintered outside in the pot, the planter must be as large as possible. Although additional protection is then also necessary, this is associated with significantly less effort, just like care in summer.

Water

When watering the Christmas rose, you should pay attention to a few points. It refers to:

Christmas rose, Helleborus niger
  • ensure that everything runs smoothly
  • prevent drying out
  • Only water when the surface is dry
  • use soft water
  • water only on frost-free days
  • flood or immerse in water
  • Avoid waterlogging
  • Bring the water to room or ambient temperature

It is ideal if the Christmas rose is poured overflowing. However, the planter or saucer should then be emptied when the water has run through. Otherwise waterlogging could occur.

Tip: The introduction of a drainage layer can also prevent waterlogging. Slow watering can also help keep the soil moist without increasing the risk of rot and mold.

fertilizer

Even if the Christmas roses are cultivated in pots, they require comparatively few nutrients. Two doses a year are enough. An organic fertilizer for flowering plants is used.
Fertilizing in spring when the plants first sprout and in late summer to autumn should still be carried out. An exception is when the plant has just been repotted. In the first year, no further nutrient supply is then necessary.

Notice: Fertilization should be done at the same time as watering. This distributes the agents better and reduces the risk of chemical burns to the roots.

repot

The soil should be replaced every two to three years. It doesn't matter whether the pot is too small or not. The change is important because frequent watering flushes out a significant amount of the nutrients.
In addition, the earth is only available in a small volume. The reserves are correspondingly small. This is especially true in summer.

care in summer

Cultivating a Christmas rose in a pot is possible without any problems, but involves increased effort. Especially in summer, the watering requirements are greater. It is therefore advisable to carry out a daily check. If the upper substrate layer has dried out or even cracked, watering must take place immediately.
It is also important to ensure that the plant is not in direct sunlight. Because here the earth not only dries out faster and stronger, but there is also a risk of burns.

Hibernation in the pot

When summer is over, hibernation begins. There are two possibilities here. On the one hand, the plant can be overwintered indoors. It should be bright and cool here, but not too hot. The temperature must not exceed ten degrees Celsius. On the other hand, wintering can take place outdoors. However, the Christmas rose in the pot should be protected from below and from the side against frost. A styrofoam plate under the planter and wrapping it with jute and fleece creates insulation and thus protection against frost.

frequently asked Questions

Christmas rose does not bloom - what to do?

In this case, you should urgently review the conditions of care and the place for planting. It may be that the temperature is too high or the lighting conditions are unsuitable. The plant should be in shady to semi-shady in summer, but bright in winter.

When does the Christmas rose bloom?

Flowering can be expected from around January to March. However, this depends on the breeding form and various factors. Below that are site conditions and climate. Flowering as early as December is therefore also possible.

Are Christmas roses hardy?

If they are planted outside in October at the latest, the plants will withstand both snow and frost. In the bucket, on the other hand, appropriate protection is required so that the soil and roots do not freeze completely.

Category:

Garden plants