Overwintering guide
How to overwinter purple heart
Winter watering
Water rarely, and only in dry spells — winter wet is a bigger risk than winter cold. Make sure containers drain freely.
The mistake that kills purple heart in winter
Leaving purple heart in a pot standing in a saucer of water. Waterlogged compost freezes solid around the roots and kills plants that would have survived the cold perfectly well.
More purple heart care
- Overwintering purple heart — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering purple heart — our other guide for the same plant
- Full purple heart care guide
- Purple Heart temperature range
- How often to water purple heart
- How to prune purple heart
- Common purple heart problems & fixes
Overwintering purple heart — FAQ
Does purple heart need to come indoors for winter?
Purple Heart is hardy to roughly USDA zone 8 — winter lows around -12°C. That means it survives outside in mild areas, but wants shelter in a hard winter. Purple Heart can stay outside over winter in most areas, but appreciates some protection in a cold snap. Mulch generously over the root zone, move containers against a sheltered wall (pots freeze far harder than open ground), and have horticultural fleece ready for the worst nights. The roots are what you are protecting — top growth can be sacrificed and regrown.
When should I move purple heart for winter?
Mulch and move pots into shelter in late autumn, before the first hard frosts.
How often should I water purple heart in winter?
Water rarely, and only in dry spells — winter wet is a bigger risk than winter cold. Make sure containers drain freely.
What kills purple heart over winter?
Leaving purple heart in a pot standing in a saucer of water. Waterlogged compost freezes solid around the roots and kills plants that would have survived the cold perfectly well.