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