Overwintering guide
How to overwinter fluffy ruffle fern
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — fluffy ruffle 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 fluffy ruffle fern in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and fluffy ruffle fern rots from the base.
More fluffy ruffle fern care
Overwintering fluffy ruffle fern — FAQ
Does fluffy ruffle fern need to come indoors for winter?
Fluffy Ruffle 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. Fluffy Ruffle 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 fluffy ruffle fern for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water fluffy ruffle fern in winter?
Cut watering right back — fluffy ruffle 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 fluffy ruffle fern over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and fluffy ruffle fern rots from the base.