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Overwintering guide

How to overwinter lithops optica 'rubra'

Verdict
Bring indoors
When
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
Hardiness
Lithops Optica 'Rubra' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside.

Winter watering

Cut watering right back — lithops optica 'rubra' 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 lithops optica 'rubra' in winter

Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and lithops optica 'rubra' rots from the base.

More lithops optica 'rubra' care

Overwintering lithops optica 'rubra' — FAQ

Does lithops optica 'rubra' need to come indoors for winter?

Lithops Optica 'Rubra' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Lithops Optica 'Rubra' 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 lithops optica 'rubra' for winter?

Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.

How often should I water lithops optica 'rubra' in winter?

Cut watering right back — lithops optica 'rubra' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.

What kills lithops optica 'rubra' over winter?

Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and lithops optica 'rubra' rots from the base.