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Plant care

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' (Midnight Wine Weigela) care

Weigela florida 'Elvera'

Also called Midnight Wine Weigela, Elvera Weigela.

RHS H6USDA 4-8Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 45-60 cm tall and wide

Watering rhythm

7-10days

When the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in the growing season

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Well-drained, fertile loam or quality multi-purpose compost (in containers)

Humidity

40-70%

Temp

-20 to 32°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

45-60 cm tall and wide

Care at a glance

Light

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun is essential for the darkest, most vivid burgundy leaf colour. In shade the foliage turns greenish and flower production declines. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water weigela 'midnight wine' when the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in the growing season. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Consistent moisture during the first two seasons aids establishment. Once established, moderate drought tolerance. In containers, water more frequently as pots dry out faster; never allow the root ball to dry completely.

Soil and pot

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' grows best in well-drained, fertile loam or quality multi-purpose compost (in containers). Tolerates most soils at pH 5.5-7.0. In containers, use a peat-free multi-purpose compost blended with 20% perlite for drainage. Repot container-grown plants every 2-3 years. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' sits happiest at around 40-70% humidity and -20 to 32°C (-4 to 90°F). Outdoor ornamental; tolerates ambient temperate humidity without specific requirements. Avoid positioning in extremely exposed, drying winds. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed weigela 'midnight wine' sparingly. Feed with a balanced slow-release granular fertiliser each spring. Container plants benefit from a liquid feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season using a balanced or high-potassium formulation. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on weigela 'midnight wine' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Leaf colour fading to green — Insufficient sunlight is the primary cause. Relocate to a position receiving at least 6 hours of direct sun to restore deep burgundy colouration.
  • Powdery mildew — Small plants in congested spots can be susceptible. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
  • Poor container performance — Root-bound plants in undersized pots show stunted growth and reduced flowering. Repot every 2 years into a container one size larger.
  • Aphids — Monitor new shoot tips in spring. Treat with insecticidal soap at first sign of infestation.

Companion plants

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' pairs well with Lavandula angustifolia, Festuca glauca, Sedum 'Autumn Joy', and Salvia nemorosa 'Mainacht'. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Take 8-10 cm softwood cuttings in early summer, treat with hormone rooting powder, and root in a humid propagator. Small size makes it ideal for small pot propagation. Division of suckering stems is possible in autumn. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' is mildly toxic to pets. Weigela florida 'Elvera' is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus lacks ASPCA non-toxic clearance; mild gastrointestinal upset in pets is plausible if plant material is consumed, so a mildly-toxic precautionary rating applies. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Weigela florida 'Elvera'?

Weigela florida 'Elvera' is most commonly called Weigela 'Midnight Wine', but it is also known as Midnight Wine Weigela, Elvera Weigela. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Weigela 'Midnight Wine' apply identically to anything sold as Midnight Wine Weigela.

How much light does weigela 'midnight wine' need?

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun is essential for the darkest, most vivid burgundy leaf colour. In shade the foliage turns greenish and flower production declines. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.

How often should I water weigela 'midnight wine'?

Water weigela 'midnight wine' when the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in the growing season. Consistent moisture during the first two seasons aids establishment. Once established, moderate drought tolerance. In containers, water more frequently as pots dry out faster; never allow the root ball to dry completely. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is weigela 'midnight wine' toxic to cats and dogs?

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' is mildly toxic to pets. Weigela florida 'Elvera' is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus lacks ASPCA non-toxic clearance; mild gastrointestinal upset in pets is plausible if plant material is consumed, so a mildly-toxic precautionary rating applies.

What USDA hardiness zone does weigela 'midnight wine' grow in?

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' is rated for USDA zone 4-8 and RHS hardiness H6. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of weigela 'midnight wine' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Weigela 'Midnight Wine' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Weigela 'Midnight Wine' is also commonly called Midnight Wine Weigela or Elvera Weigela.