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