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