February 14, 2025, 4:41 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
In the dark and cool season, not only do some animals go into hibernation but so do our plants. During this time, we should not water them, prune them, or do anything else for them. But when should plants be woken from their winter dormancy?
The first frosty temperatures bring peace and quiet to the garden. The plants gather their strength for the coming season. They hardly need any care during this time. In particular, various pruning or watering should be avoided. myHOMEBOOK explains when you can start to wake plants from their hibernation and care for them again after winter.
The Three Phases of Hibernation in Plants
In the world of plants, there are three phases of hibernation, explains Sebastian Mühlemann from Bauer Nurseries.
1. Complete Winter Dormancy (True Dormancy)
“This is the deepest dormant phase, in which the plant appears almost unresponsive,” explains the expert. The metabolism is extremely slowed down, growth and cell division are halted during this time, and the plant is completely resistant to cold. “This phase usually occurs in hardy plants that show no active development.” During this time, they hardly need any water or nutrients, adds Mühlemann.
Good to know: Dormancy comes from the Latin “dormire” – to sleep. It refers to all developmental delays in living beings or biological processes. In botany, dormancy refers to what is known as seed dormancy. Premature germination or growth should be prevented if the conditions appear unfavorable at the time, such as frost.
2. Semi-Dormancy (Dormancy or Latent Dormancy)
If the plant is in a kind of transitional state, this is known as semi-dormancy, explains the professional. “The metabolism is still running slowly, but not completely. There are already the first signs of life, such as small buds or shoots, but they only grow minimally. This phase often takes place when it is colder outside, but the plants are already starting to reactivate due to the extended daylight hours or rising temperatures.” This phase is sometimes referred to as latent dormancy, as the plants react to environmental factors such as light and heat but have not yet gone into full growth mode.
3. Active Growth Phase (Vegetative Dormancy)
During this phase, the metabolism runs at full speed again. and the plants fully awaken from their winter dormancy, explains Mühlemann. “They start to absorb water and nutrients, and growth begins. This is the time when they are actively growing, flowering, and setting fruit – the normal growth phase that normally takes place in spring and summer.”
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At What Stage Can You Care for Plants After Winter?
To find the right time, you should keep a close eye on the weather and your plants, the expert advises. “It’s really only important that plants are not woken up from true dormancy, as this can cause plant damage. It’s like being woken up from a deep sleep with a glass of water.”
When plants are in which phase depends on external influences such as air and soil temperatures. The professional adds that the time of awakening from hibernation also depends on the plant itself. Many plants have different environmental factors in their natural habitats.