Overwintering guide
How to overwinter medusa habenaria
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — medusa habenaria 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 medusa habenaria in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and medusa habenaria rots from the base.
More medusa habenaria care
Overwintering medusa habenaria — FAQ
Does medusa habenaria need to come indoors for winter?
Medusa Habenaria is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Medusa Habenaria 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 medusa habenaria for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water medusa habenaria in winter?
Cut watering right back — medusa habenaria uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills medusa habenaria over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and medusa habenaria rots from the base.