Overwintering guide
How to overwinter polka dot plant
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — polka dot plant 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 polka dot plant in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and polka dot plant rots from the base.
More polka dot plant care
- Overwintering polka dot plant — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering polka dot plant — our other guide for the same plant
- Full polka dot plant care guide
- Polka Dot Plant temperature range
- How often to water polka dot plant
- How to prune polka dot plant
- Common polka dot plant problems & fixes
Overwintering polka dot plant — FAQ
Does polka dot plant need to come indoors for winter?
Polka Dot Plant is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Polka Dot Plant 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 polka dot plant for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water polka dot plant in winter?
Cut watering right back — polka dot plant uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills polka dot plant over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and polka dot plant rots from the base.