First, you must understand that I am not dead, merely sleeping. As a temperate climate plant, shorter days and cooler temperatures signal my biological clock to enter dormancy. This is a vital rest period where my growth halts to conserve energy. Attempting to keep me in active, flowering growth indoors under suboptimal light conditions will only weaken me, making me spindly and susceptible to pests. Please embrace my need for a quiet, cool rest; it is the key to my vitality next spring.
Before the first frost threatens, you must gently dig me up if I am in the ground, or bring my entire container indoors. Do not simply drag me inside as I am! I am likely hosting insects you cannot see. Please give me a very gentle pruning, removing any dead or overly long stems to make me easier to manage. Then, inspect my leaves and stems meticulously, especially underneath, for pests like aphids or spider mites. A gentle spray with insecticidal soap or water will evict these unwanted guests. This prevents an indoor infestation.
My winter home is crucial. I do not need a sunroom or a bright window now. I need a place that is cool, dark, and humid. An unheated garage, a basement, a cool closet, or even a sheltered porch where temperatures stay consistently between 40-50°F (5-10°C) is perfect. Light is not a priority during deep dormancy; in fact, a dark environment helps me stay fully asleep. If the location is very dry, occasionally placing a tray of water near me (not under my pot) can add a little humidity and prevent my stems from desiccating completely.
My water needs plummet dramatically. My roots are barely active and cannot absorb much moisture. Soggy soil will cause them to rot and kill me. Please water me only sparingly, just enough to prevent the soil from turning into a dry, hard brick. The goal is barely damp. Check my soil every few weeks by touch. Do not fertilize me at all during this time. I cannot process nutrients while dormant, and fertilizer salts will build up and burn my delicate, resting roots.
As daylight increases in late winter or early spring, it will be time to gently rouse me. Please move me to a warmer, brighter location with indirect light. You will see new little leaf buds beginning to swell on my stems. This is your cue to begin watering more regularly. Once I show consistent new growth, you can give me a light feeding with a balanced, half-strength fertilizer to support my initial growth spurt. Only after all danger of frost has passed should you gradually acclimate me to the outdoors before planting me out for another glorious season of growth.
