Overwintering guide
How to overwinter compact ice plant
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills compact ice plant in winter
Cutting compact ice plant 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 compact ice plant care
Overwintering compact ice plant — FAQ
Does compact ice plant need to come indoors for winter?
Compact Ice Plant is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Compact Ice Plant 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 compact ice plant for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water compact ice plant in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills compact ice plant over winter?
Cutting compact ice plant 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.