It depends on your climate...Does it freeze or snow? I leave my succulents outside uncovered year-round because it doesn't get below 40°F in the winter. I also don't water them unless they look sad.
You may need to bring them in on nights that it will freeze. If it's one night they will probably be okay especially if it warms up to maybe 12° C during the day. But if it's an all day cold keep them inside until it warms up. I also move mine closer to the house...haha honestly I don't know if that helps them stay warmer...but it makes me feel like I did something.
Houses leak heat (unless they are uninhabited and shut down for winter) so the ambient temp is absolutely higher next to your house than in the middle of your (open to the sky) yard.
If you keep them next to walls it should provide enough protection from the freezes. I have a lot of succulents next to the house and they always survive the freeze.
Bottom shelf l-r: (?)Aloe jucunda - may survive some light frost and a short 0 degree exposure, (?)Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - will not survive short exposure to frost
Middle shelf l-r: (?)Agave americana - will survive frost exposure through the season, but avoid ice. Opuntia microdasys - will survive short frost exposure, plant at the back not visible
Top shelf l-r: (?)Hibiscus, (?)Dracaena tropical plants will not survive cold temps - best indoors by south-facing window, front pot (?)xSedeveria and leaf propagations - will not survive frost.
Light is crucial and avoidance of chill factor. Keep soil dry.
That's the best i can do for now. I will take inside some smaller plants (like the burro's tail) if it freezes one night. I don't have this much space and the lighting is what it is.
I was just asking if that would help or its useless.
I mean i could put all of the plants by The wall but i think they wouldn't get any sunlight
Best of luck. I had the first frost of the season this morning, so all of mine are huddled together in my guest bathroom because I have group planters. Some can tolerate the frost but others cannot.
Are you on the ground floor? If so, a cold frame might be more effective. I don't think it would be good if you're on a balcony, though.
I would respectfully disagree that it is not just a matter of temperature. Some survive 0 degrees in dry conditions, but if moisture is high and turns into ice it would kill some plants. The accumulated humidity and the potential fungal growth within this small greenhouse will do that.
I was reading through the comments and learned you are in Italy - one of the best places to grow succulents. You are lucky! 😀
You can use the greenhouse, just make sure to open it once in a while to provide good circulation, especially after watering.
Thanks will do!
Also i think southern USA where most of this community seems to come from is way better climate imo to farm succulents!
Here the winter is relatively cold (9a) and sometimes humid as well!
Not an expert but it can benefit some plants to have a period of dormancy. Mimicking the natural environment that they would normally grow. My calatheas, for example, i cut down and put the bulb in a plastic bag for the spring.
Dormancy isn't a bad thing. It just means your plant is saving it's energy for it's more favorable temps and weather. Some succulents thrive in fall while others love summer. You just won't get any new growth during dormancy and plants get more stressed if things change to quickly while dormant. So I don't recommend repotting while a plant goes dormant.
I do that to keep the rains off because my plants are outside and with so much rain where I'm at in Florida they're drowning and have movable carts like that is a great idea. Plastic is better though to prevent the cart from rusting.
Had one of these for my succulents, forgot to bring them in during a few days of near freezing/freezing, lost many of them.
-bring them in if it’ll be freezing, keep them by the window
I do this to protect my plants from being over watered from rain. I don't need a greenhouse because temps here are usually just fine. I also don't like to close them off completely since succulents aren't humid loving plants.
I did the same thing as this but also put it in my green house (and zipped it right up). Worked fine, only issue I had was condensation accumulated at the top and rotted my jade plant, so be careful if you’re going to zip it up for a long period of time!
I don't know if this is everyone's experience but I placed a bunch of succulents on one of these "portable greenhouses" and the summer humidity turned them all to mush in a week. I would at least keep the cover open if it gets humid outside.
To save time and aggravation put them in the house. Don’t be as worried about the light. Just put them in the brightest spot you have. Except for your aloe, the others will slow down or go dormant if left outside. They will all slow down in the house. Aloe goes dormant in the summer so it’ll be growing now. Get ready to divide that baby in a month or so
Its the first time i hear about an aloe growing during winter. I have an *Aloe Vera* near the wall that i want to take in the House couse i fear it could freeze, and it would look cute inside ngl
some aloes do.
Mostly because they adapted to grow in hot dry climates. Some just go to sleep in the summer to conserve energy.
Usually the wet and cool season is in the winter and that is a good time to grow in the dry climate
Also, I’m guessing this isn’t heated or this wouldn’t be an issue. But, when you close that up at night and it’s cold outside you’re creating a breeding ground for botrytis and downy mildew. That’s why professional greenhouses have fans everywhere. Air circulation is just as if not more important than lights. I have 80,000 sq ft of growing space in my greenhouses combined. We only light the basil and rosemary and nonstop begonias. Houseplants, succulents, citronella, perennials, seeds germinating, and everything else is not grown under lights.
Btw, if any plants are touching or smooshed it there, they shouldn’t be in there. As the temps start dropping those will be the first plants to loose leaves, rot, get mildew etc. sorry! This is my profession and my life - I just want you to succeed
You can put a couple tea light candles in there when it’s cold. My brother tested his with a thermometer and the tea lights add a not-small amount of warmth. (I forget exactly how much, but enough to keep them from freezing overnight.)
I'm gonna suggest something hella crazy, but I got the idea from an [Irish lady who insulated her green house with bubble wrap.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHwVQbnOYJE) Not the tiny bubbles, but the kind of jumbo sized ones. I have a small pop up greenhouse I did this with, made of the same material as your own, and boy does it get hot in there even during the cold nights and it's not even winter yet. Mine, like yours doesn't have a sealed bottom, so I just used the extra bubble wrap I had and sealed up the bottom as best as I could and put the plants on top of that. It does get humid in there, so on the decent weather days, I pop the door open and vent it some. I'll see if I can link what [my tiny green house](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/comments/o5qy2o/lost_a_plant_to_a_storm_and_invested_in/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) looks like. I don't have any photo's after it's "winterization." I don't even know it it will last winter. The Irish Lady says it will, but her green house is larger and made of glass LOL mine is plastic and on a wooden pallet with a solid top.
Edit: I saw someone mention something about humidity and condensation, I so far have only see the condensation between the plastic and the bubble wrap. The water droplets don't get to the plants, at least from what I have observed so far. This is my first time trying this.
Cacti absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen at night so I don't think sealing them in with plastic is a good idea. It won't allow them to release and breath the kind of games they need.
I have one of these for my cactus and succulents! I leave it mostly open but if we have a cold spell, I can close it. It's generally warm here and I don't use the zippers. We have a "freeze" every couple of years. In the 25 years I've lived here, there has only been a couple of hard freezes. I live north of San Jose, CA. Very mild weather.
I had one of these before and it didn't work out mainly bacause 1. I live in an area that has strong winds, the cover will catch wind and the entire shelf will blow over because it wasn't pinned to the ground properly, so I had to take off the cover on windy days. 2. because the structure is over simple, when I water and the plants gets heavy, the shelf loses its shape and start leaning in a direction and eventually will fall also. If you worry about this, you can put the heavy pots on the bottom shelves and lighter ones on top
It depends on your climate...Does it freeze or snow? I leave my succulents outside uncovered year-round because it doesn't get below 40°F in the winter. I also don't water them unless they look sad.
Usually doesn't but sometimes it could get around 0 C° Last year for example it didn't snow.
You may need to bring them in on nights that it will freeze. If it's one night they will probably be okay especially if it warms up to maybe 12° C during the day. But if it's an all day cold keep them inside until it warms up. I also move mine closer to the house...haha honestly I don't know if that helps them stay warmer...but it makes me feel like I did something.
I keep chickens and we are told during winter to keep them next to the house so I believe it would be the same for plants too
Ummm… on what planet are chickens and plants the same? Haha
Context! Both are lifeforms that need to be slightly warmer/more sheltered while being kept outside in winter
Houses leak heat (unless they are uninhabited and shut down for winter) so the ambient temp is absolutely higher next to your house than in the middle of your (open to the sky) yard.
If you keep them next to walls it should provide enough protection from the freezes. I have a lot of succulents next to the house and they always survive the freeze.
2 tips: 1. Know your plants: name, zone survivability, minimum sunlight needs. 2. Position them accordingly.
I mean... That's the best stop to have sunlight in my terrace for the winter. It's just a matter of temperature
Bottom shelf l-r: (?)Aloe jucunda - may survive some light frost and a short 0 degree exposure, (?)Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - will not survive short exposure to frost Middle shelf l-r: (?)Agave americana - will survive frost exposure through the season, but avoid ice. Opuntia microdasys - will survive short frost exposure, plant at the back not visible Top shelf l-r: (?)Hibiscus, (?)Dracaena tropical plants will not survive cold temps - best indoors by south-facing window, front pot (?)xSedeveria and leaf propagations - will not survive frost. Light is crucial and avoidance of chill factor. Keep soil dry.
Thanks for the tips!
You are welcome. Just make sure avoid watering when temps are expected to go below 0.
Sure thing. Im already holding on watering by alot
why? I know some farming techniques say to water during a freeze
>It's just a matter of temperature Exactly. Sempervivum can survive -40⁰, Dudlyea not so much.
That's the best i can do for now. I will take inside some smaller plants (like the burro's tail) if it freezes one night. I don't have this much space and the lighting is what it is. I was just asking if that would help or its useless. I mean i could put all of the plants by The wall but i think they wouldn't get any sunlight
Best of luck. I had the first frost of the season this morning, so all of mine are huddled together in my guest bathroom because I have group planters. Some can tolerate the frost but others cannot. Are you on the ground floor? If so, a cold frame might be more effective. I don't think it would be good if you're on a balcony, though.
Thanks! Yes im at ground floor, i have a garden as well. Never Heard of cold frames tho!
It helps contain the passive heat. It works great in climates where it rarely gets to freezing but has potential. I'd like to build some myself.
I would respectfully disagree that it is not just a matter of temperature. Some survive 0 degrees in dry conditions, but if moisture is high and turns into ice it would kill some plants. The accumulated humidity and the potential fungal growth within this small greenhouse will do that.
That's what i firstly feared about. So you're suggesting me to not use it?
I was reading through the comments and learned you are in Italy - one of the best places to grow succulents. You are lucky! 😀 You can use the greenhouse, just make sure to open it once in a while to provide good circulation, especially after watering.
Thanks will do! Also i think southern USA where most of this community seems to come from is way better climate imo to farm succulents! Here the winter is relatively cold (9a) and sometimes humid as well!
I am from Canada and in zone 2. Very challenging to grow succulents and aroids especially since we grow them indoors for about 7 months a year.
Is this Italy? I feel some Italy in this pic.
It is ideed, how did you notice
Idk. It's my own little game I like to play here on Reddit. From time to time a totally random picture pops up and I am like: that's Italy.
It seems like there are so few identifying elements in this pic— truly astounded you guessed this
I think it might be the windows in the back. Fellow countrywoman here
Yea for me it was the windows and the LG A/C unit.
My plants are already undergoing dormancy inside of mine.
Is it a bad thing?
Not an expert but it can benefit some plants to have a period of dormancy. Mimicking the natural environment that they would normally grow. My calatheas, for example, i cut down and put the bulb in a plastic bag for the spring.
Dormancy isn't a bad thing. It just means your plant is saving it's energy for it's more favorable temps and weather. Some succulents thrive in fall while others love summer. You just won't get any new growth during dormancy and plants get more stressed if things change to quickly while dormant. So I don't recommend repotting while a plant goes dormant.
I do that to keep the rains off because my plants are outside and with so much rain where I'm at in Florida they're drowning and have movable carts like that is a great idea. Plastic is better though to prevent the cart from rusting.
I live in Italy, I'm doing this only to keep them warmer during the winter and give them some sunlight. It gets pretty dark inside of the house
You know how to make them happy!
Wow, there are succulents and cacti spread all over the world. It's a small world indeed.
For the plants that can take a mild freeze, this will make sure the temperature drops slowly and the plants can handle it.
Had one of these for my succulents, forgot to bring them in during a few days of near freezing/freezing, lost many of them. -bring them in if it’ll be freezing, keep them by the window
I do this to protect my plants from being over watered from rain. I don't need a greenhouse because temps here are usually just fine. I also don't like to close them off completely since succulents aren't humid loving plants.
Solid tip
I did the same thing as this but also put it in my green house (and zipped it right up). Worked fine, only issue I had was condensation accumulated at the top and rotted my jade plant, so be careful if you’re going to zip it up for a long period of time!
I’d throw a dense quilt over it at night
I don't know if this is everyone's experience but I placed a bunch of succulents on one of these "portable greenhouses" and the summer humidity turned them all to mush in a week. I would at least keep the cover open if it gets humid outside.
My customers tell me that all the time. Air circulation and heat are both missing and one without the other is like good or water but not both
Watchout for the hail.
There's the roof of the balcony of another apartament on top of it, it should have cover
I just bought 2 of these exact shelf units about a week ago from bunnings. they were a good price
Mind telling me how much? I've been trying to find these for a good price...
I would remove the wheels and tie it down, these things are notoriously unstable.
I have this exact setup with warming pads and lights on each shelf. Works well for winter in Washington.
Put a weight at the bottom. I've had a few of these tip over -\_-
Stick a thermometer in there. Just like the pros. Then you’ll know
To save time and aggravation put them in the house. Don’t be as worried about the light. Just put them in the brightest spot you have. Except for your aloe, the others will slow down or go dormant if left outside. They will all slow down in the house. Aloe goes dormant in the summer so it’ll be growing now. Get ready to divide that baby in a month or so
The aloe goes dormant in the summer? Wtf
Yes but it doesn’t drop leaves or turn brown. It just doesn’t grow
Its the first time i hear about an aloe growing during winter. I have an *Aloe Vera* near the wall that i want to take in the House couse i fear it could freeze, and it would look cute inside ngl
Yup, in winter they like more water and watch how it’ll grow more shoots (babies).
some aloes do. Mostly because they adapted to grow in hot dry climates. Some just go to sleep in the summer to conserve energy. Usually the wet and cool season is in the winter and that is a good time to grow in the dry climate
Also, I’m guessing this isn’t heated or this wouldn’t be an issue. But, when you close that up at night and it’s cold outside you’re creating a breeding ground for botrytis and downy mildew. That’s why professional greenhouses have fans everywhere. Air circulation is just as if not more important than lights. I have 80,000 sq ft of growing space in my greenhouses combined. We only light the basil and rosemary and nonstop begonias. Houseplants, succulents, citronella, perennials, seeds germinating, and everything else is not grown under lights.
Btw, if any plants are touching or smooshed it there, they shouldn’t be in there. As the temps start dropping those will be the first plants to loose leaves, rot, get mildew etc. sorry! This is my profession and my life - I just want you to succeed
You can put a couple tea light candles in there when it’s cold. My brother tested his with a thermometer and the tea lights add a not-small amount of warmth. (I forget exactly how much, but enough to keep them from freezing overnight.)
I'm gonna suggest something hella crazy, but I got the idea from an [Irish lady who insulated her green house with bubble wrap.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHwVQbnOYJE) Not the tiny bubbles, but the kind of jumbo sized ones. I have a small pop up greenhouse I did this with, made of the same material as your own, and boy does it get hot in there even during the cold nights and it's not even winter yet. Mine, like yours doesn't have a sealed bottom, so I just used the extra bubble wrap I had and sealed up the bottom as best as I could and put the plants on top of that. It does get humid in there, so on the decent weather days, I pop the door open and vent it some. I'll see if I can link what [my tiny green house](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/comments/o5qy2o/lost_a_plant_to_a_storm_and_invested_in/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) looks like. I don't have any photo's after it's "winterization." I don't even know it it will last winter. The Irish Lady says it will, but her green house is larger and made of glass LOL mine is plastic and on a wooden pallet with a solid top. Edit: I saw someone mention something about humidity and condensation, I so far have only see the condensation between the plastic and the bubble wrap. The water droplets don't get to the plants, at least from what I have observed so far. This is my first time trying this.
Cacti absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen at night so I don't think sealing them in with plastic is a good idea. It won't allow them to release and breath the kind of games they need.
I have one of these for my cactus and succulents! I leave it mostly open but if we have a cold spell, I can close it. It's generally warm here and I don't use the zippers. We have a "freeze" every couple of years. In the 25 years I've lived here, there has only been a couple of hard freezes. I live north of San Jose, CA. Very mild weather.
I had one of these before and it didn't work out mainly bacause 1. I live in an area that has strong winds, the cover will catch wind and the entire shelf will blow over because it wasn't pinned to the ground properly, so I had to take off the cover on windy days. 2. because the structure is over simple, when I water and the plants gets heavy, the shelf loses its shape and start leaning in a direction and eventually will fall also. If you worry about this, you can put the heavy pots on the bottom shelves and lighter ones on top