Overwintering guide
How to overwinter crested hart's tongue fern
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills crested hart's tongue fern in winter
Cutting crested hart's tongue fern 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 crested hart's tongue fern care
- Overwintering hart's tongue fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full crested hart's tongue fern care guide
- Crested Hart's Tongue Fern temperature range
- How often to water crested hart's tongue fern
- How to prune crested hart's tongue fern
- Common crested hart's tongue fern problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering crested hart's tongue fern — FAQ
Does crested hart's tongue fern need to come indoors for winter?
Crested Hart's Tongue Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Crested Hart's Tongue Fern 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 crested hart's tongue fern for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water crested hart's tongue fern in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills crested hart's tongue fern over winter?
Cutting crested hart's tongue fern 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.