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