Overwintering guide
How to overwinter scarlet bee balm
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills scarlet bee balm in winter
Cutting scarlet bee balm 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 scarlet bee balm care
Overwintering scarlet bee balm — FAQ
Does scarlet bee balm need to come indoors for winter?
Scarlet Bee Balm is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Scarlet Bee Balm 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 scarlet bee balm for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water scarlet bee balm in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills scarlet bee balm over winter?
Cutting scarlet bee balm 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.