Overwintering guide
How to overwinter wollaston's holly fern
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills wollaston's holly fern in winter
Cutting wollaston's holly fern 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 wollaston's holly fern care
Overwintering wollaston's holly fern — FAQ
Does wollaston's holly fern need to come indoors for winter?
Wollaston's Holly Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 — winter lows around -23°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Wollaston's Holly Fern 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 wollaston's holly fern for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water wollaston's holly fern in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills wollaston's holly fern over winter?
Cutting wollaston's holly fern 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.