Overwintering guide
How to overwinter calathea roseopicta 'surprise star'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' 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 calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' rots from the base.
More calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' care
- Overwintering rose-painted calathea (dottie) — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' care guide
- Calathea Roseopicta 'Surprise Star' temperature range
- How often to water calathea roseopicta 'surprise star'
- How to prune calathea roseopicta 'surprise star'
- Common calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' — FAQ
Does calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' need to come indoors for winter?
Calathea Roseopicta 'Surprise Star' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Calathea Roseopicta 'Surprise Star' 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 calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' in winter?
Cut watering right back — calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and calathea roseopicta 'surprise star' rots from the base.