Overwintering guide
How to overwinter dwarf tree fern
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — dwarf tree fern 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 dwarf tree fern in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and dwarf tree fern rots from the base.
More dwarf tree fern care
Overwintering dwarf tree fern — FAQ
Does dwarf tree fern need to come indoors for winter?
Dwarf Tree Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 9 — winter lows around -7°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Dwarf Tree Fern 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 dwarf tree fern for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water dwarf tree fern in winter?
Cut watering right back — dwarf tree fern uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills dwarf tree fern over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and dwarf tree fern rots from the base.