Overwintering guide
How to overwinter bartlett pear
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills bartlett pear in winter
Cutting bartlett pear hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More bartlett pear care
- Overwintering european pear — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering bartlett pear — our other guide for the same plant
- Full bartlett pear care guide
- Bartlett pear temperature range
- How often to water bartlett pear
- How to prune bartlett pear
- Common bartlett pear problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering bartlett pear — FAQ
Does bartlett pear need to come indoors for winter?
Bartlett pear is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Bartlett pear is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move bartlett pear for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water bartlett pear in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills bartlett pear over winter?
Cutting bartlett pear hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.