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