Overwintering guide
How to overwinter tongue of fire bean
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills tongue of fire bean in winter
Cutting tongue of fire bean hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More tongue of fire bean care
Overwintering tongue of fire bean — FAQ
Does tongue of fire bean need to come indoors for winter?
Tongue of Fire Bean is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Tongue of Fire Bean is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move tongue of fire bean for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water tongue of fire bean in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills tongue of fire bean over winter?
Cutting tongue of fire bean hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.