Overwintering guide
How to overwinter cryptocoryne balansae
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — cryptocoryne balansae 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 cryptocoryne balansae in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and cryptocoryne balansae rots from the base.
More cryptocoryne balansae care
Overwintering cryptocoryne balansae — FAQ
Does cryptocoryne balansae need to come indoors for winter?
No hardiness zone is recorded for cryptocoryne balansae; it prefers to stay above about 22°C (72°F) while in growth, so treat it as frost-tender unless you know otherwise for your area. Cryptocoryne balansae 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 cryptocoryne balansae for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water cryptocoryne balansae in winter?
Cut watering right back — cryptocoryne balansae uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills cryptocoryne balansae over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and cryptocoryne balansae rots from the base.