Overwintering guide
How to overwinter bent alligator flag
Winter watering
Water rarely, and only in dry spells — winter wet is a bigger risk than winter cold. Make sure containers drain freely.
The mistake that kills bent alligator flag in winter
Leaving bent alligator flag in a pot standing in a saucer of water. Waterlogged compost freezes solid around the roots and kills plants that would have survived the cold perfectly well.
More bent alligator flag care
- Overwintering bent alligator flag — our other guide for the same plant
- Full bent alligator flag care guide
- Bent Alligator Flag temperature range
- How often to water bent alligator flag
- How to prune bent alligator flag
- Common bent alligator flag problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering bent alligator flag — FAQ
Does bent alligator flag need to come indoors for winter?
Bent Alligator Flag is hardy to roughly USDA zone 8 — winter lows around -12°C. That means it survives outside in mild areas, but wants shelter in a hard winter. Bent Alligator Flag can stay outside over winter in most areas, but appreciates some protection in a cold snap. Mulch generously over the root zone, move containers against a sheltered wall (pots freeze far harder than open ground), and have horticultural fleece ready for the worst nights. The roots are what you are protecting — top growth can be sacrificed and regrown.
When should I move bent alligator flag for winter?
Mulch and move pots into shelter in late autumn, before the first hard frosts.
How often should I water bent alligator flag in winter?
Water rarely, and only in dry spells — winter wet is a bigger risk than winter cold. Make sure containers drain freely.
What kills bent alligator flag over winter?
Leaving bent alligator flag in a pot standing in a saucer of water. Waterlogged compost freezes solid around the roots and kills plants that would have survived the cold perfectly well.