UK hardiness
Is Monkey Comb Vine hardy in the UK?
Amphilophium crucigerum
More about monkey comb vine in the UK
Monkey Comb Vine and the RHS hardiness rating
Monkey Comb Vine is rated RHS H2 — tender, meaning it withstands winter minimums of about 1 to 5°C. In practice that means it needs a frost-free greenhouse or indoors over winter — a UK frost will kill it. The RHS rating describes an absolute minimum temperature, not an average: a single hard frost below its band is what does the damage, so the question is always "what is the coldest night my garden gets?", not "what is a typical winter here?".
This follows the RHS plant hardiness rating system (H1a–H7), the UK standard. For the US growing-zone view, see the monkey comb vine USDA hardiness guide.
Does UK region change it?
Because monkey comb vine is frost-tender, UK region matters less than the simple rule: it does not stay outdoors over winter anywhere in the UK. Treat any time outside as a summer holiday — bring it back indoors once nights drop toward 10°C, well before the first frost, and acclimatise it over a week each way so the leaves do not shock.
Overwintering monkey comb vine in the UK
Overwintering monkey comb vine in the UK means bringing it in: a bright, frost-free room or a heated glasshouse, watered sparingly while growth slows. Do not leave it against cold glass or near an unheated porch. Move it back out only after the last spring frost has passed for your area.
Monkey Comb Vine UK hardiness — frequently asked questions
Is monkey comb vine hardy in the UK?
Monkey Comb Vine is rated RHS H2 (tender, hardy to about 1 to 5°C). It is not winter-hardy anywhere in the UK and must be overwintered under cover.
Can monkey comb vine stay outside over winter in the UK?
No. Monkey Comb Vine is frost-tender — a UK frost will kill it. Bring it indoors or into a frost-free greenhouse before the first autumn frost and return it outside only after the last spring frost.
What does RHS H2 mean?
RHS hardiness ratings run H1a (needs a heated glasshouse) to H7 (survives below -20°C). Monkey Comb Vine's rating, H2, means tender — it tolerates winter minimums of about 1 to 5°C. The rating is an absolute minimum, not an average.
How do I overwinter monkey comb vine in the UK?
Overwintering monkey comb vine in the UK means bringing it in: a bright, frost-free room or a heated glasshouse, watered sparingly while growth slows. Do not leave it against cold glass or near an unheated porch. Move it back out only after the last spring frost has passed for your area.
Does UK region change whether monkey comb vine survives?
Because monkey comb vine is frost-tender, UK region matters less than the simple rule: it does not stay outdoors over winter anywhere in the UK. Treat any time outside as a summer holiday — bring it back indoors once nights drop toward 10°C, well before the first frost, and acclimatise it over a week each way so the leaves do not shock.
More monkey comb vine care
See the full monkey comb vine care guide, its temperature & humidity needs, and the US (USDA) hardiness version of this page.