Which container plants to overwinter?

21 years ago

This is the first year my container plants have actually survived the summer (i.e. I remembered to water them!). Most are annuals (at least in this region) and I wonder which of these are worth trying to keep alive indoors in my sunroom over the winter. (A few are biennials or perennials.) This room gets a decent amount of light -- lots of indirect light and about 5-6 hours of direct light. It has an 8' sliding glass door which helps keep it bright.

I am interested in keeping them alive through the winter so that I can put them outside again for next year and/or having them indoors so I can enjoy blooms for at least part of the winter.

Of the following plants, any ideas on which will live (providing conditions are right) through the winter and next growing season, which will truly die regardless of conditions, which will continue to flower . . .

I've never really attempted overwintering before so I'm curious as to what to expect. Currently I'm bringing them in most nights and for part of the day to get them used to the different conditions indoors.

They are:

African daisies

Petunias

Thunbergina (I think this is called the black-eyed susan vine)

Tropical milkweed

Oregano

Parsley

Alyssum

Impatiens balsamina

Moonflower vine

Basil

Verbena bonaresis

Malva sylvestris

Thanks for any info or advice you might have!

:-) Mel

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Comments (3)

username_5
21 years ago
Parsley is biennial so unless you want seeds from it, don't expect it to be much next year. The basil can be overwintered as can the oregano. The basil may or may not do much next year, but the oregano is like a weed and will likely come back and have babies from seed coming up as well.

Moonflower is perennial, but may be challenging to keep healthy overwinter indoors. The black eyed susan vine is an annual, but I am not sure how long it will actually live.

The rest I will leave to someone else. The only items on your list that I have actually overwintered or grown indoors are the herbs. I am not sure how I would even attempt to overwinter moonflower vines ;-)
iris_gal
21 years ago
Impatien balsamia I believe is the one I have and if so definately is an annual. Mine grows 20 inches tall, very branched with a delicate mauve-pink/white bloom. Reseeds prolifically. Basil also is an annual here in zone 9.
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theinfamousj
21 years ago
Very much take the basil inside. Not only can it handle the light conditions you are describing, but it will save you the hassle of growing from seed next year. Oh, and you will have basil over the winter.

Cuttings of basil root easily in water if you don't want to take the whole plant inside. Keep flowers pinched back and all is good.

I've done this successfully 4 winters in a row (with less light than you describe). Same basil plant (or at least same basil plant genetics). Still 'mmm 'mmm good.