Overwintering guide
How to overwinter streptocarpus 'purple haze'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — streptocarpus 'purple haze' 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 streptocarpus 'purple haze' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and streptocarpus 'purple haze' rots from the base.
More streptocarpus 'purple haze' care
Overwintering streptocarpus 'purple haze' — FAQ
Does streptocarpus 'purple haze' need to come indoors for winter?
Streptocarpus 'Purple Haze' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Streptocarpus 'Purple Haze' 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 streptocarpus 'purple haze' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water streptocarpus 'purple haze' in winter?
Cut watering right back — streptocarpus 'purple haze' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills streptocarpus 'purple haze' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and streptocarpus 'purple haze' rots from the base.