Author Keri Byrum Updated 1-25-2022
Loropetalum adds color and texture to the landscape for the entire year. Their graceful shape and branching make these an enjoyable addition year round. For those gardeners in the hardiness zones 7-10, very little care will be needed for your loropetalum during the winter months. These plants will continue to grow, although very slowly, and add interest for the winter season.
Cutting Back Loropetalum For Winter
Pruning for winter is not necessary for loropetalum. Plants will begin to grow more slowly but if there are any unruly branches it is a fine time to prune those off. Avoid hard pruning during this time because plants will grow slowly and take a longer time to recover.
Loropetalum Winter Care in Pots
If you are in a cooler climate zone you will want to take extra care. Move your pot to an indoor space where the plant will not freeze. You will want to reduce the amount of water to the plant. Although it should not dry out completely, soggy soil will greatly hurt your plant.
Alternatively, if you are in a climate where loropetalum is not hardy, you may consider using this plant as an annual. If you have limited space, or even if you just like to try new plants each year, you can pull the shrub from its container in fall and add it to your compost.
Watering Loropetalum in Winter
Watering loropetalum planted in the ground is just as important during winter months, even if the cooler weather slows the plants down. Continue to water the plants deeply, but decrease the frequency of watering. Most loropetalum in the landscape will be fine with water every 7-10 during winter months.
Growing Loropetalum Indoors
Loropetalum are rarely seen as a houseplant because of their need for sunlight. If you decide to bring your plant indoors, place it in a sunny southern or western facing window. Monitor your loropetalum health; stretched out branches and purple leaves turning green are indicators that the plant is not getting enough sunlight.