Overwintering guide
How to overwinter blue-flowered torch
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — blue-flowered torch uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills blue-flowered torch in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and blue-flowered torch rots from the base.
More blue-flowered torch care
Overwintering blue-flowered torch — FAQ
Does blue-flowered torch need to come indoors for winter?
Blue-flowered Torch is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Blue-flowered Torch is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move blue-flowered torch for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water blue-flowered torch in winter?
Cut watering right back — blue-flowered torch uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills blue-flowered torch over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and blue-flowered torch rots from the base.