Overwintering guide
How to overwinter microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' 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 microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' rots from the base.
More microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' care
- Overwintering green wave fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' care guide
- Microsorum pteropus 'Needle Leaf' temperature range
- How often to water microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf'
- How to prune microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf'
- Common microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' — FAQ
Does microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' need to come indoors for winter?
Microsorum pteropus 'Needle Leaf' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 18. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Microsorum pteropus 'Needle Leaf' 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 microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' in winter?
Cut watering right back — microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' rots from the base.