The Hot Lips plant (Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’) is known for its distinctive two-toned red and white flowers, which can change color with temperature. These vibrant blooms appear from late spring until the first frost. Protecting your plant through colder months ensures its continued health and beauty. This guide explains how to prepare and care for your Hot Lips plant during winter.
Understanding Hardiness and Preparing for Winter
The Hot Lips plant thrives as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, enduring winter temperatures that can drop to between 0°F and 20°F. In colder zones, it is often cultivated as an annual or brought indoors to protect it from harsh freezing conditions.
Preparing your Hot Lips plant for winter begins in late fall, before the first significant frost. Ensure the plant is well-hydrated, as adequate moisture in the soil can help insulate roots. Apply a generous layer of organic mulch, such as straw or pine needles, around the plant’s base. This protective layer insulates the root system from extreme cold and helps maintain consistent soil temperatures.
Outdoor Winter Care
For Hot Lips plants remaining outdoors, especially in zones where they are marginally hardy, specific measures can enhance their survival. Add an extra layer of mulch, up to several inches deep, to provide further root insulation against prolonged freezes. During severe cold snaps, cover the plant with horticultural fleece or a frost cloth to shield foliage from direct frost damage. This temporary covering should be removed once temperatures moderate to allow for air circulation.
Proper watering remains important even in winter, though the frequency significantly decreases. The soil should not be allowed to become waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot, a common issue in winter. However, the soil should not become bone dry either; a light watering once a month during dry spells can be sufficient, allowing the topsoil to dry completely between applications. Established plants in their appropriate hardiness zones generally require less direct intervention than newly planted specimens.
Indoor Winter Care
If outdoor winter survival is unlikely or for potted specimens, bringing Hot Lips plants indoors is a reliable solution. This transition should occur before the first hard frost, typically when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below freezing. Before relocating, thoroughly inspect the plant for any pests, addressing them to prevent infestations in your indoor environment.
Once indoors, providing suitable conditions is key for successful overwintering. Hot Lips plants prefer bright, indirect light; a sunny window is ideal. While dormant, they appreciate cooler temperatures, ideally above freezing but generally between 60°F and 75°F. Watering frequency must be greatly reduced; allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot, as the plant’s growth slows considerably. Maintaining indoor humidity levels around 40% to 60% also benefits the plant, achievable with a humidifier or a tray of water and pebbles.
Common Winter Challenges
Hot Lips plants can face challenges during winter. Cold damage appears as blackened foliage or dieback, especially after sudden temperature drops. Though top growth may appear damaged, the crown often remains viable, with new growth emerging in spring. Wait until late winter or early spring to prune dead material, allowing natural recovery.
Indoor environments present challenges. Insufficient indoor light causes leggy, stretched growth; supplemental grow lights can prevent this. Pest infestations (spider mites, aphids, whiteflies) are common indoors due to drier air and reduced circulation. Regular inspection and prompt treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil manage these. Overwatering or poor drainage indoors can cause root rot or fungal problems like powdery mildew, highlighting the need for well-drained soil and reduced winter watering.