Overwintering guide
How to overwinter hairy lip fern
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills hairy lip fern in winter
Cutting hairy lip fern 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 hairy lip fern care
Overwintering hairy lip fern — FAQ
Does hairy lip fern need to come indoors for winter?
Hairy Lip Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Hairy Lip Fern 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 hairy lip fern for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water hairy lip fern in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills hairy lip fern over winter?
Cutting hairy lip fern 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.