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