Overwintering guide
How to overwinter calathea 'maui queen'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — calathea 'maui queen' 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 calathea 'maui queen' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and calathea 'maui queen' rots from the base.
More calathea 'maui queen' care
Overwintering calathea 'maui queen' — FAQ
Does calathea 'maui queen' need to come indoors for winter?
Calathea 'Maui Queen' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Calathea 'Maui Queen' 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 calathea 'maui queen' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water calathea 'maui queen' in winter?
Cut watering right back — calathea 'maui queen' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills calathea 'maui queen' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and calathea 'maui queen' rots from the base.