Overwintering guide
How to overwinter taxiphyllum alternans
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — taxiphyllum alternans 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 taxiphyllum alternans in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and taxiphyllum alternans rots from the base.
More taxiphyllum alternans care
Overwintering taxiphyllum alternans — FAQ
Does taxiphyllum alternans need to come indoors for winter?
No hardiness zone is recorded for taxiphyllum alternans; it prefers to stay above about 20°C (68°F) while in growth, so treat it as frost-tender unless you know otherwise for your area. Taxiphyllum alternans 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 taxiphyllum alternans for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water taxiphyllum alternans in winter?
Cut watering right back — taxiphyllum alternans uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills taxiphyllum alternans over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and taxiphyllum alternans rots from the base.