The Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) isn’t exactly a fan of the deep freeze. However, if the winter stays relatively mild and you take a few simple precautions, you can keep your plants happy and healthy until spring. Here’s the lowdown on how to protect your Agapanthus during the colder months and give them the support they need.
How much cold can a Lily of the Nile actually handle?
As you might guess from the name, the Lily of the Nile is native to Africa. In its natural habitat, it doesn’t have to deal with biting frost or snow. That said, these plants are tougher than they look and can handle a little bit of a chill, but they definitely shouldn’t be left out in a hard freeze. If they’re exposed to sub-zero temperatures for too long, you’ll start seeing yellow leaves. This can lead to tissue damage, which means your plant might refuse to bloom once spring rolls around.
To keep your African Lily happy in the winter, place it:
- In a bright, sunny spot
- In a cool area between 32°F and 45°F
- Completely away from frost
One common mistake is keeping them *too* warm. You might be tempted to bring them into your cozy living room, but standard room temperature is actually too toasty for their dormant phase. The sweet spot is right between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a bright room. Just a heads-up: only the deciduous varieties (the ones that lose their leaves naturally in winter) can be overwintered in a dark basement. The evergreen types need that winter sun!
Giving your plants a spring wake-up call
Once the threat of frost has passed, it’s time to move your Lily of the Nile back out into the garden or return the pots to your patio. Just make sure you wait until the nights are consistently above freezing before making the move. To give them a little “welcome back” boost, start using some fertilizer to encourage new growth. A bit of compost or a good liquid fertilizer once a month works wonders. Just remember to stop fertilizing by late summer so the plant can naturally start winding down for its next winter nap.
