Overwintering guide
How to overwinter echinodorus tenellus
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — echinodorus tenellus 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 echinodorus tenellus in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and echinodorus tenellus rots from the base.
More echinodorus tenellus care
Overwintering echinodorus tenellus — FAQ
Does echinodorus tenellus need to come indoors for winter?
Echinodorus tenellus is hardy to roughly USDA zone 18. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Echinodorus tenellus 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 echinodorus tenellus for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water echinodorus tenellus in winter?
Cut watering right back — echinodorus tenellus uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills echinodorus tenellus over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and echinodorus tenellus rots from the base.