Help Your Gerbera Survive Winter In 6 Steps – Acclimatising Is The ‘Trickiest Part’
Chris is a gardening writer and nature enthusiast. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2022 with an MA in Psychology. Chris works with the Leeds Green Action Society, helping their food cooperative by growing various fruit and vegetables on their two allotments in Hyde Park, Leeds.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
Gerberas make such a happy addition to any garden or home, blooming in almost every shade imaginable, from orange to pink, to blue to white and many colours in between.
Their versatility in colour means they pair beautifully with many other plants, although they look particularly gorgeous next to roses, asparagus, lilac, freesias and chrysanthemums.
Thanks to their large assortment of colours, gerberas are said to symbolise beauty and cheer – who doesn’t want a bit of that in their garden?1Gerbera Flower Care Tips and Meanings. (n.d.). Interflora. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.interflora.co.uk/page/flower-types/gerberas
Whilst gerberas are relatively easy to grow, the real challenge comes in winter.
Helping them to survive during the long, cold months is tricky, and not always possible, but it’s certainly worth a go.
Here are six essential steps for giving your gerberas their best shot at survival:
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Equipment Required | Garden trowel, a pot, high-quality potting mix |
1) Dig Up & Repot
Gerberas do not like cold weather and will not typically survive temperatures below 5°C, so as soon as it drops below this temperature at night, it’s time to get cracking.
Using a garden trowel, gently dig up the plant.
Fill a container with good quality potting mix and carefully plant the gerbera into the pot.
2) Acclimatise The Plant
Acclimating the plant helps to reduce stress on the gerbera.
During the night, I bring the plant inside and then pop it back outside during the day.
“I have found this to be the trickiest part of trying to help Gerberas to survive the winter,” says Colin Skelly, Master Horticulturist.
“Too quick and abrupt a move can cause harm, so try to make the contrast and inside and outside too sharp, too quick.
“I move mine into a cold greenhouse next to an open door, which has given the best results.”
After doing this for a while, you can gradually reduce the time it spends outside.
Once temperatures drop below 6°C during the day, your gerbera should be permanently living indoors.
3) Position On A Sunny Window Sill
You will now want to place your pot or container on a sunny window sill.
However, I try to avoid intense, bright light.
Overwintering gerberas thrive best in indirect sunlight at a room temperature of around 21°C.
4) Water Regularly
Check your gerbera regularly and whenever the top 1.25cm feels dry, it’s time to give it a drink.
I find that this will usually be every 3-5 days, but you should keep checking on your gerbera, especially when first tending to it.
5) Trim Blooms
Not all gerberas will bloom during winter but, if you do get lucky, be sure to trim the flowers the moment they fade.
This will encourage extended flowering and keep the plant looking neat and tidy.
6) Plant Outside In Spring
Once the days are warmer, nights are reliably above 5°C and there is no threat of frost, you can return your Gerbera outside.
You can either keep it in its pot or replant it in your garden.
As previously mentioned, gerberas can be tricky customers in winter and even with the most care taken, they may not survive – but follow these steps and you will be giving them the best chance possible.
Good luck!
