Overwintering guide
How to overwinter puerto rican columnea
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — puerto rican columnea 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 puerto rican columnea in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and puerto rican columnea rots from the base.
More puerto rican columnea care
Overwintering puerto rican columnea — FAQ
Does puerto rican columnea need to come indoors for winter?
Puerto Rican Columnea is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Puerto Rican Columnea 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 puerto rican columnea for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water puerto rican columnea in winter?
Cut watering right back — puerto rican columnea uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills puerto rican columnea over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and puerto rican columnea rots from the base.