First, you must understand that we are not dead; we are dormant. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we receive clear signals from our environment to slow our growth and conserve energy. Our metabolism drops significantly. We will likely lose many of our leaves, and our vibrant green stems may become woody and pale. This is a natural and necessary survival strategy. Do not mistake this for dying; we are simply resting, waiting for the longer, warmer days of spring to return.
Before the first frost threatens, you must bring us indoors. A light frost will damage our leaves and stems, and a hard freeze will be fatal. Please inspect us carefully for any signs of pests like aphids or spider mites. A gentle spray of water or an application of insecticidal soap will ensure we do not bring unwanted guests into your home. Prune us back by about one-third to one-half. Remove any spent flowers, dead leaves, and leggy growth. This reduces the leaf mass we need to sustain and encourages a bushier form when we resume growth.
Our winter needs are simple but specific. We require a cool environment, ideally between 45-55°F (7-13°C). A unheated but frost-free garage, a basement with a window, or a cool porch are perfect locations. We still need bright, indirect light. A south-facing window is ideal. Without sufficient light, our stems will become etiolated—long, pale, and weak—as we desperately stretch for a light source. While in deep dormancy, we require very little water. The goal is to keep the soil barely moist, preventing our roots from completely desiccating but avoiding rot. Water us only when the soil is dry to the touch an inch below the surface.
If space is limited, you can store us in a bare-root state. After pruning, gently remove the soil from our roots and place us in a paper bag or hang us upside down in a cool, dark, and dry place like a basement. Our foliage will wither and drop, which is expected. Check on us monthly and briefly soak our roots in water if they appear severely shriveled. In early spring, you can pot us up, water us thoroughly, and place us in light to break our dormancy.
As winter wanes and daylight increases, you will notice new, pale green leaves emerging from our nodes. This is your signal to gradually end our dormancy. Begin by watering us a little more frequently. Once the danger of frost has passed, you can start to acclimate us to the outdoors again. Place us in a sheltered, partially shaded spot for a few hours each day, gradually increasing our exposure to sun and wind over a week to ten days. After this hardening-off period, we can be replanted in our summer containers or garden beds, ready to grow vigorously and reward your care with a new season of blooms.
