Overwintering guide
How to overwinter ficus altissima 'yellow gem'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — ficus altissima 'yellow gem' 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 ficus altissima 'yellow gem' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and ficus altissima 'yellow gem' rots from the base.
More ficus altissima 'yellow gem' care
Overwintering ficus altissima 'yellow gem' — FAQ
Does ficus altissima 'yellow gem' need to come indoors for winter?
Ficus Altissima 'Yellow Gem' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Ficus Altissima 'Yellow Gem' 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 ficus altissima 'yellow gem' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water ficus altissima 'yellow gem' in winter?
Cut watering right back — ficus altissima 'yellow gem' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills ficus altissima 'yellow gem' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and ficus altissima 'yellow gem' rots from the base.