Over-wintering Plants

These plants may be listed as perennials, but for many gardeners, they are simply not hardy enough to make it through the winter outdoors. If you have a prized perennial that you want to over-winter indoors, you need to know its preferences. Some like to go dormant and be kept dark and dry, other need moisture. The plants listed here like bright light and cool temperatures. They do no go fully dormant, but they do need a rest from actively growing.

Bright light means a full day of light from a southern or western facing window or a supplemental plant light. The temperature should remain above freezing, in the 45 - 55 F. range. That generally means an enclosed porch, with windows, an unheated sun room or something along those lines.

If there are a lot of windows, keep watch that the temperature does not warm about 60 F. during sunny days, or your plants will think it is time to start growing. This probably won't hurt the plant, but they will require more care if they are growing than if they are sleeping. And some plants that bloom only once, will bloom earlier than you might want.

Water the plants when the soil feels dry a few inches below the surface. Don't over water, so that they are sitting in a puddle. Do not feed the plants until the days lengthen in spring. You will start to see new growth at that time.

A bonus for over-wintering plants in cooler temperatures is that few insects will bother them. Most insects prefer warmer temperatures and by the time they show up, it will be time to move the plants back outdoors.

Be sure to ease your plants into the transition from indoors to out, by letting them harden off slowly.

Plants that Prefer Cool Temperatures and Bright Light

Common Name	Botanical Name	USDA Hardiness Zones
Flowering Maple	Abutilon	10-11
Lily of the Nile, African Lily	Agapanthus	8-11
Lemon Verbena	Aloysia triphylla	8-11
California Lilac	Ceanothus	7-10
Citrus Trees		Varies
Clivia	Clivia miniata	9-11
Cordyline	Cordyline	8-10
Cuphea	Cuphea	8-11
Angel's Trumpet	Datura	9-11
Angel's Trumpet	Brugmansia	9-11
Hummingbird Plant	Dicliptera suberecta	8-10
Spurge	Euphorbia	Varies
Fuchsia	Fuchsia	7-9
Gardenia	Gardenia	8-10
Heliotrope	Heliotropium arborescens	10-11
Hibiscus	Hibiscus	9-11
Mini Angel's Trumpet	Iochroma australis	9-11
Jasmine	Jasminium	8-11
Lavender	Lavendula	Varies
Lion's tail	Leonotis	10-11
Mandevilla	Mandevilla	10-11
Honey Bush	Melianthus major	Zone 8-11
Oleander	Oleander nerium	8-11
Sweet Olive	Osmanthus fragrans	7-10
Oxalis	Oxalis	8-11
Passion Flower	Passiflora	6-10
Geranium	Pelargonium	9-12
Mexican Single Tuberose	Polianthes tuberosa	8-10
Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis	7-10