Surviving the winter - Ask Extension
I have two beautiful spike plants in my outdoor tubs. Will they survive the winter. Or should I bring them indoors. What care do they need if I do ...
Knowledgebase
Surviving the winter #850134
Asked September 16, 2023, 11:38 AM EDT
I have two beautiful spike plants in my outdoor tubs. Will they survive the winter. Or should I bring them indoors. What care do they need if I do have to bring them in
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Caroline,
No, these are not hardy to survive the winter and must be brought indoors. Watch the nighttime temperatures because they may be sensitive to anything below 50 degrees because they are tropical plants.
If you wish to overwinter them, put them in "quarantine" for a couple of weeks in a space away from your other houseplants. This will help you monitor for any insect hitchhikers that may also be on the plants. Then you can move them indoors and treat them like a houseplant. These plants need very bright, indirect light, so put them in the sunniest spot in your home. You'll water less indoors. Limit fertilizer.
More than likely the plants will have some natural leaf drop, so be prepared for that - the transition inside isn't easy!
No, these are not hardy to survive the winter and must be brought indoors. Watch the nighttime temperatures because they may be sensitive to anything below 50 degrees because they are tropical plants.
If you wish to overwinter them, put them in "quarantine" for a couple of weeks in a space away from your other houseplants. This will help you monitor for any insect hitchhikers that may also be on the plants. Then you can move them indoors and treat them like a houseplant. These plants need very bright, indirect light, so put them in the sunniest spot in your home. You'll water less indoors. Limit fertilizer.
More than likely the plants will have some natural leaf drop, so be prepared for that - the transition inside isn't easy!
