Overwintering guide
How to overwinter corn plant
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — corn plant 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 corn plant in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and corn plant rots from the base.
More corn plant care
- Overwintering corn plant — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering corn plant — our other guide for the same plant
- Full corn plant care guide
- Corn plant temperature range
- How often to water corn plant
- How to prune corn plant
- Common corn plant problems & fixes
Overwintering corn plant — FAQ
Does corn plant need to come indoors for winter?
Corn plant is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Corn plant 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 corn plant for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water corn plant in winter?
Cut watering right back — corn plant uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills corn plant over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and corn plant rots from the base.