ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WINTER CONDITIONS ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF TRADITIONALLY INDOOR PLANT SPECIES CULTIVATED OUTDOORS: A CASE STUDY OF THREE TAXA — AGAPANTHUS AFRICANUS (L.) Hoffmanns, TRACHELIUM CAERULEUM (L.) AND BEGONIA 'STERLING MOON'

Abstract

Depending on their origin, the plants in Romania may be cultivated outdoors, where they must tolerate low winter temperatures, or indoors, where they require consistently warm conditions all year-round. Indoor plants are typically tropical or subtropical species adapted to stable temperatures, humidity, and specific light levels. Growing these species outdoors during winter in temperate or temperate-continental climates poses significant biological and ecological challenges. This study focuses on three taxa - Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns., Trachelium caeruleum L., and Begonia 'Sterling Moon'—classified within USDA hardiness zones 7b (tolerating –15 °C to –12.2 °C) - 11. Although Bucharest lies in USDA zone 7, these taxa are generally cultivated in protected environments. The aim of the study is to assess their ability to withstand low winter temperatures and retain flowering and fruiting potential.