Phoenix Tropicals Gardening

GermanStar · Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 32

I'm in Fountain Hills and have just redone pretty much everything outside. In addition to Emu Bushes, Salvia, Agave, assorted Cacti, Lavender, Jasmine, Flax, etc., I planted a couple of house plants outside, and hope they survive the winter. One is a Sansevieria, which shares an enormous sheltered planter box with a Tropical Bird of Paradise and a Dwarf Fan Palm. The other is an African Milk Tree. Ironically, since I redid everything 3 months ago, these are my two fastest growing plants, and I now feel particularly vested in their survival.

I haven't seen Sansevieria growing outdoors in the Valley, but I know it to be one of toughest, hardest-to-kill house plants in the world, so I'm hoping it isn't too cold-sensitive, and would appreciate feedback from anyone who knows. I have seen Milk Trees outdoors, there is a beautiful 6-footer on the next block, and I swear I'm going to ring the guy's bell to ask him about it before long. I know they have a reputation for being extremely intolerant of freezing temperatures.

So, any opinions on my chances for these guys living to see next spring?

Really, really nice Website, btw.

phoenixtropicals · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:09 pm Post subject:

Sansevieria. That is a good question. The only place I have seen them is in planters in shopping malls. I kind of doubt they'll take the heat. Let us know.

African Milk Tree. Another plant I have no idea about. Worth a try I think. If your neighbor has one growing outside it will probably work. However, I'm guessing Fountain Hills is a far amount colder than here in Mesa in winter. So, I recommend you cut a branch from your cactus, let it dry out for a week in the house and pot it up as a back up plan.

GermanStar · Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 32

I'd be surprised if the heat bothers it, but we'll find out soon enough I suppose. My fear is cold. It's only been about 6 weeks since I threw the small Sansevieria in and it's already got three runners coming up. The planter box is well-sheltered with a 15' overhang and faces SW. If that sounds like a problem for it and the Bird of Paradise, the box has a substantial Palo Verde tree facing it, effectively filtering the afternoon light. I also have another house plant in the vicinity, a potted and pedestalled Asparagus Fern.

My hope is that the planter box might provide the plants a little extra warmth on those cold winter nights, but I really have no idea.

Good idea for the Milk Tree, although I really have no place it would survive indoors if I can't provide it with adequate protection from the cold. And if I have to start a new one outside every year, it will never get more than 2' tall. Heck who knows, I might do it anyways....

And yes, FH is likely 3-5° cooler. We had no freezing nights last winter -- not one, but I do recall the hard freeze in '07. I didn't chronicle the event as you did, but I do recall taking note of all the damage in my yard and around the neighborhood.

phoenixtropicals · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:23 pm Post subject:

Nice landscaping job. It looks really good.

GermanStar · Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 32

Update: The Sansevieria is doing very well indeed, growing like mad, and has now thrown off a fourth runner. The heat doesn't bother it a lick (drought-resistant, tropical succulent, I didn't think it would). I've also seen it listed as Zone 9, good down to 28° for brief stints, so I'm pretty sure it's OK in my sheltered planter box. Really a spectacular accent plant, apparently under-utilized in the Valley. Hopefully, I'll be posting pics of 4' shoots by this time next summer.

Turns out my African Milk Tree is in fact, a Candelabra Tree (E. ingens), which is just as susceptible to cold, and considered Zone 10, but a local nursery swears up and down they just throw freeze cloth over them 2 or 3 times each winter. I'm hopeful, but still not convinced.