Overwintering guide
How to overwinter bird's nest bromeliad
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — bird's nest bromeliad 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 bird's nest bromeliad in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and bird's nest bromeliad rots from the base.
More bird's nest bromeliad care
- Overwintering bird's nest bromeliad — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering bird's nest bromeliad — our other guide for the same plant
- Full bird's nest bromeliad care guide
- Bird's Nest Bromeliad temperature range
- How often to water bird's nest bromeliad
- How to prune bird's nest bromeliad
- Common bird's nest bromeliad problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering bird's nest bromeliad — FAQ
Does bird's nest bromeliad need to come indoors for winter?
Bird's Nest Bromeliad is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Bird's Nest Bromeliad 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 bird's nest bromeliad for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water bird's nest bromeliad in winter?
Cut watering right back — bird's nest bromeliad uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills bird's nest bromeliad over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and bird's nest bromeliad rots from the base.