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Overwintering guide

How to overwinter crispum hart's tongue fern

Verdict
Stays outside
When
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
Hardiness
Crispum 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.

Winter watering

No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.

The mistake that kills crispum hart's tongue fern in winter

Cutting crispum 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 crispum hart's tongue fern care

Overwintering crispum hart's tongue fern — FAQ

Does crispum hart's tongue fern need to come indoors for winter?

Crispum 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. Crispum 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 crispum hart's tongue fern for winter?

Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.

How often should I water crispum 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 crispum hart's tongue fern over winter?

Cutting crispum 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.