Overwintering guide
How to overwinter scaly-stemmed holly fern
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills scaly-stemmed holly fern in winter
Cutting scaly-stemmed holly fern hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More scaly-stemmed holly fern care
Overwintering scaly-stemmed holly fern — FAQ
Does scaly-stemmed holly fern need to come indoors for winter?
Scaly-Stemmed Holly Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 — winter lows around -23°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Scaly-Stemmed Holly Fern is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move scaly-stemmed holly fern for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water scaly-stemmed holly fern in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills scaly-stemmed holly fern over winter?
Cutting scaly-stemmed holly fern hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.