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