Overwintering guide
How to overwinter blue atlas cedar
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills blue atlas cedar in winter
Cutting blue atlas cedar 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 blue atlas cedar care
- Overwintering atlas cedar — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering blue atlas cedar — our other guide for the same plant
- Full blue atlas cedar care guide
- Blue Atlas Cedar temperature range
- How often to water blue atlas cedar
- How to prune blue atlas cedar
- Common blue atlas cedar problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering blue atlas cedar — FAQ
Does blue atlas cedar need to come indoors for winter?
Blue Atlas Cedar is hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 — winter lows around -23°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Blue Atlas Cedar 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 blue atlas cedar for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water blue atlas cedar in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills blue atlas cedar over winter?
Cutting blue atlas cedar 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.