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