Overwintering guide
How to overwinter eastern red cedar
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills eastern red cedar in winter
Cutting eastern red cedar 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 eastern red cedar care
Overwintering eastern red cedar — FAQ
Does eastern red cedar need to come indoors for winter?
Eastern Red Cedar is hardy to roughly USDA zone 2 — winter lows around -46°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Eastern Red Cedar 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 eastern red cedar for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water eastern red cedar in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills eastern red cedar over winter?
Cutting eastern red cedar 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.