Overwintering Tips for Tropicals

Trachycarpus fortunei
Windmill Palm

One of the most frequently asked question here at Art’s Nursery is “How do I protect my palm trees, New Zealand Flax and Bananas over the winter months?”

So, we have put together some great little tips from staff and customers to help you bring these favourite plants successfully through the winter.

If your palm tree has been planted for three years or more it should be able to go through the winter just fine. (but a little protection never hurts!)

Their hardiness zone is 7-10 (on an average consensus), which translates to -12 to -17C.

Red Bananas - (Ensete)

Please be aware that if you own a large red banana or Japanese banana they have to be brought inside and that is the only thing you can do for them. They are not hardy for the Fraser Valley. In a warmer climate like Victoria or White Rock, you can take a chance, but you may not be successful.




Apply Large Bark Mulch
Most tender plants will benefit by using large chunk bark mulch around the base of the plants a couple of inches thick. This protects tender roots from disruption during multiple freeze/frost and thaws.

You can do this for potted plants as well. This mulch can be raked up onto a tarp and dried in the spring. Then you can re-bag it for the next season.



Bubble Wrap

Bamboo and Bubble Wrap House

Keeping in mind that most of tropicals are evergreen, we need to remember that they require air, light and water. In this part of BC we rarely need to worry about water in the winter! In fact we have to protect from too much water. One suggestion for winterizing is to insert 3 or 4 bamboo sticks around the outside of the root ball area and secure large size bubble wrap around the outside of the sticks as high up as you can. This creates a wind barrier and can actually increase the temperature by a few degrees.

(Bubble wrap is available at stores such as London Drugs And Staples) This is a great idea for any plant that is a little tender or wind intolerant.

Lights and Pipe Heating Rods
Several people say they wrap regular twinkle lights (LED are not warm enough) all around their tropical’s to keep them happy. Plus it’s cute and festive!! Other people suggest flood lamps near the base of the plants.

One gentleman is trying something new this year; he is using pipe heating rods from a local hardware store and placing them in the fronds and along the trunk and then wrapping loosely in burlap. He’ll let us know how it works! I’m thinking it’s a great idea.

Remember though that burlap only lets a wee bit of light through and can remain wet which can cause fungus in the plants and not allow enough light.

Bananas:

Musa basjoo - Hardy Banana

Most people put a tomato cage or chicken wire fencing in a circle around the plant and fill it with leaves or mulch. Often the oldest stalk will die down leaving the suckers to come up in the spring. Should it should fall, just cut it as high as possible and leave till spring. Try to keep water out of the trunk by covering it with plastic.

Move Plants Under the Eaves

Move your tropicals under the eaves to prevent too much rain getting in the crown of the plant. Take some of the other precautions to keep your plant warmer. Crown rot is easy to recognize but difficult to get rid of. If the center sword of your palm or New Zealand flax can be pulled out - it has crown rot.

One lady uses her patio umbrella over her palm to keep excess water out of it. However, with the wind we’ve been getting lately, make sure to tie it down so that it doesn’t do a “Mary Poppins” into your neighbour’s yard!!

Plants In Pots Lose a Hardiness Zone

Potted Plants Lose a Hardiness Zone!
One problem in having tropicals in a pot is that you lose a horticultural zone. So, if the plant is zone 6 it will become zone 7 (the higher the number the warmer it needs). Not to worry!

What you can do is take your potted plant indoors.

 Give it a tepid shower and let some water run through the soil to rid yourself of unwanted house guests and give it a spray with Safer’s soap to make sure! Then place your plant in a sunny area away from heaters and vents. Keep an eye on it for de-hydration and insects. spritzing it occasionally for added humidity.


You could also bring them into a greenhouse or a garage with window light as long as they won’t freeze. Remember to water them a little weekly. If they are too big to move then you can mulch the surface of the soil, place or make a “bag around the entire pot coming up over the soil surface and fill the bag with straw, old quilt bat (you will need a waterproof covering) or dry leaves.

Someone I know uses a big new garbage bag for the outside covering. You can use burlap, plastic, plastic garbage bags or bubble wrap to do this.

To make it look tastefully done add a big raffia tie and bow. Adding twinkle lights and a waterproof Christmas bow looks really festive and adds some much needed warmth. Be creative!

And for those of you who really love tropicals... see you in Hawaii!

Mary J.
Art's Nursery Horticulturist