Overwintering guide
How to overwinter pilea 'dark mystery'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — pilea 'dark mystery' 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 pilea 'dark mystery' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and pilea 'dark mystery' rots from the base.
More pilea 'dark mystery' care
Overwintering pilea 'dark mystery' — FAQ
Does pilea 'dark mystery' need to come indoors for winter?
Pilea 'Dark Mystery' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Pilea 'Dark Mystery' 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 pilea 'dark mystery' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water pilea 'dark mystery' in winter?
Cut watering right back — pilea 'dark mystery' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills pilea 'dark mystery' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and pilea 'dark mystery' rots from the base.